Obama Event in Minneapolis — Liveblog

Roundup:  Barack Obama is a powerful public speaker.  He has a knack for infusing simple words with charisma, and framing his ideas in widely acceptable ways.  However, tonight’s speech was a stump speech.  A strong stump speech, but a stump speech nonetheless.  WIth the impending announcement of Q2 fundraising numbers and his campaign’s consistent message of movement-building and personal investment in the future, it represents a very good start in Minnesota.

You can listen to the audio of Obama’s speech as recorded by Mike McIntee of Inside Minnesota Politics by http://www.timescape… here.  You’ll find a liveblog of the event from start to finish after the break.4:30:  Spotty wireless connectivity here at International Market Square, but I’ll do what I can to keep posting as I’m connected.  Currently sitting on the press riser with about an hour to go before doors open — will try to get a few words with senior staff on the ground.

4:45:  Reporters John Croman, Tom Scheck, and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak shooting the breeze here on the press riser.

5:06:  So apparently “get there early” is the  key phrase.  Doors will open at 5:30, and there’s already a rather large line outside.

5:15:  Mike McIntee of Inside MInnesota Politics has arrived, but unfortunately will not be able to film.  The Secret Service has the facility locked down in terms of electronics.  Minor difficulties to be avoided next time.  Front doors are open, and attendees are streaming in.

5:40:  Steve Simon (DFL-44A) in the crowd and holding a sign.  It will be interesting indeed to see which local officials will be supporting each presidential candidate.

5:55:  Rough crowd estimate:  1000-1200, spread across the main floor and three levels of balcony.

6:05:  More and more people getting into the building — music volume has increased, so the main event can’t be far behind.  The press corps is full, with Pat Kessler from Channel 4 and Bill Salisbury from the Pioneer Press in attendance.  Luckily, we should have audio available after all is said and done. 

6:20:  Chants of “O-BA-MA” going through the crowd…program allegedly starting in just a few minutes.

6:30:  Close to 2,000 people here now.  The AC wasn’t really built for this sort of thing.

6:32:  A somewhat nervous rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner leads to the entire crowd joining in and helping out.  Touching moment followed by thunderous applause.  Next up is Congressman Keith Ellison to get the crowd whipped up.  “Let yourself imagine an America in which everyone matters, and everyone counts.  Let yourself dream of an America that lives in peace with the rest of the world.  Let yourself imagine health care for all…..”  Ellison is playing to his home crowd and he knows it.  Notes that Obama has a universal health care bill, and was against the war from the start, working for prosperity for all his entire political career, always on our side.  Introduced R.T. Rybak.

6:35:  Rybak up next — First Congressman and first mayor in America to endorse Obama.  Sen. Dick Cohen also in attendance, mentioned by Rybak.  This has been a people-powered campaign from the start.  Citizens have come forward, tired of old way of politics.  We come here today at a difficult time in America — we have a crisis — war, climate crisis, schools struggle, political system broken, wonder if we can find political leadership that can restore hope.  “The old way of doing politics is over.”

Just spotted Rebecca Otto in attendance as well.

6:40:  Obama up. Crowd is loud.  Crowd is VERY loud and getting louder as Obama shakes hands on way to stage.  Acknowledges Rybak, blames the mayor for telling him to run before he decided to.  Acknowledges Ellison as well.  Runs down the cities he’s visited in the last several weeks “Everywhere we go, we see remarkable crowds like today”  20,000 in Atlanta, Austin, 5,000 at fundraiser in Seattle.  Tempting to look at people at events from all walks of life and say “it’s all about me, that I’m so fabulous…..but that’s not why people are coming out.  People across the country are ready for change.”  People want to see a different America, weary of the politics of the past, ready for the politics of the future.  New chapter in American history, that’s why we’re here tonight.  People are tired of a politics that won’t do, can’t do, won’t even try, based on fear.  Health care system broken, bankrupting families.  Education system leaves kids unable to compete in global economy.  Economy doing very well for some, yet millions of people are working hard, doing best, and still struggling, trying to figure out how to fill up a gas tank, save up for childrens’ education, save up a little for retirement.  War that never should have been authorized or waged (strong applause). Enough is enough

Not just because folks are ready to vote against some one.  It’s been a long time since we felt as if we were united in common purpose.  Politics have become selfish again, based on this notion of “you’re on your own.”  We’re not on our own — always been a tradition that says “we’re in this together”…..mutual responsibilities in each other.  If there are children in Minnesota who are impoverished, that impoverishes all of us.  I am my brother’s keeper, that’s the idea that people are hungry for.  (More heavy applause).  Working together, in concert, that’s when change occurs.  That’s the politics of hope that people are hungry for. 

6:55:  What’s missing is the political will to solve our problems.  We’re tired of Washington being run by special interests, we’re ready for a new chapter in American history.  When we take out politics back, no problem we can’t solve.  Obama goes through health care, education issues, plans.  Save 125 billion on health care easily, invest that money in covering everyone in America.  Energy:  increase fuel efficiency standards can replace the equivalent of all oil we import from Persian Gulf.  Take aggressive stance on climate change, may cost on front end, but no reason why we could not create an entire new generation of businesses and jobs that would drive this economy.  What is needed is leadership in Washington to say “we are going to save this planet.”  We can make sure benefits of globalization are spread evenly.  This nation has been built on middle class, have to make sure we support rise in minimum wage. 

As bleak as foreign policy seems….only bad options and worse options in Iraq.  Proud that I opposed the war in 2002 (whack at Clinton and Edwards?)  Can be as careful getting out as we were careles getting in, but we have to get out of Iraq.  “Want to work with you not against you” on major global issues — terrorism, climate change, end genocide in Darfur, close Guantanamo. 

Confident in my ability to lead this country……..but change happens from bottom up.  Invokes Wellstone’s name…..that’s the tradition in Minnesota — grassroots politics. 

Retells story of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama — marchers may have lost hope.  Marchers had to take risks for the next generation…….we imagine the world not as it is, but as it can be.

7:10:  Campaign has to be a vehicle for your dreams, your hopes, your movement.  Big flourish at end, applause as heavy as when he first appeared onstage.