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Photo: Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent
President Obama’s health care rally in Minneapolis on Saturday brought out both foes of the Democrat and fans who often ribbed the other side through pithy signs of their own (one man carried a placard that read “Angry white people against everything!“). But inside the Target Center is where the real action happened: Nearly 20,000 people turned out, including a cast of national and local officials and a 7-foot, 8-inch-tall Rochester man dubbed the “World’s Biggest Obama Supporter.” Obama’s rousing speech — which ended with the crowd chanting “Fired up! Ready to go!” — made a sobering point.
Citing new Treasury Department findings that nearly half of all Americans under 65 will lose their health coverage at some point over the next 10 years — and that a third will go without coverage for more than a year — Obama said, “We’ve got to do something because it can happen to anyone. There but for the grace of God go I.”
Photojournalist Kathy Easthagen was there to capture the scene for the Minnesota Independent.
Photo: Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent
Outside the Target Center, some demonstrators shared their distaste for Obama using familiar imagery (below), while others countered them with signs of their own.
Photo: Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent
Photo: Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent
Photo: Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent
Photo: Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent
Inside, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius warmed up the crowd. “The status quo is not an alternative,” she said of the health care system. “But get ready, Minnesota, because the special interests won’t give up easily.”
Photo by Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent
As he hit the stage, Obama pointed out familiar faces, including that of 27-year-old Rochester resident Igor Vovkovinskiy. “It’s nice to see you again,” Obama said to Vovkovinskiy, who wore a t-shirt bearing the words “World’s Biggest Obama Supporter.”
Photo: Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent
A young woman in the stands beams after Obama responds to her shout of “something’s gotta change!”
Photo by Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin react after Obama, recalling an early campaign event, said Rybak was one of his first supporters. “Nobody thought I could win; nobody could pronounce my name,” said Obama to laughter. “Nobody except R.T., that was the only person who believed.”
Photo by Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent
Sen. Al Franken, with the seat of honor beside Sebelius, watches Obama’s address.
Photo by Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent
Stacia Goheen of Stillwater watches the president’s speech on the Target Center scoreboard.
Photo: Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent
“It has now been nearly a century since Teddy Roosevelt first called for heath reform,” Obama told the crowd, which frequently interrupted him with applause. “It’s been attempted by nearly every president and Congress since. … I might not be the first president to take up the cause of health care reform, but I am determined to be the last.”
Photo: Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent
Following the president’s address, Sen. Amy Klobuchar was interviewed live on MSNBC while, to her right, Sebelius spoke with a reporter for another network.
Photo: Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent
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10 Comments »
Comment posted September 13, 2009 @ 3:00 pm
I wonder why the TV media Saturday morning before 9 a.m. was saying that there were already enough people in line to fill the Target Center. It scared people away.
I was reluctant to go because I didn’t want to wait in line, especially if we couldn’t get in in the end. But my friends and I decided we would hop a bus and arrive around noon and see if they were still letting people in. We got in right away and didn’t have to wait in line (doors opened around 9:30). Once inside, we could see that about half the upper deck of the arena wasn’t filled, and, although eventually more people were seated, in the end the arena was only about 80% filled. We texted people we knew to say there was no wait, plenty of room, come down if you want — but it was kind of late.
I really believe that without media discouragement the arena would have been filled. I am sure their reports on the long wait, the capacity crowds, and the traffic jams (we didn’t notice that either) scared people away. Plus, it was peaceful, and no clashes that I witnessed. (In fact, there should have been a band on the blocked-off First Avenue after the rally, with the energized crowd, the upbeat mood, and the sunny day.)
Where do they get these estimates? Were there communications from the organizers to the media as the event got close to starting that there was still room, and if people still wanted to come down, they should? Was anyone “tweeting” such things? (I don’t tweet). It was a great crowd, a great speech, a lively rally, and I would call it a success, but it was a disappointment that the arena wasn’t full. It surely could have been.
Media people? Organizers? Any insight?
Comment posted September 13, 2009 @ 6:25 pm
Wow. Obama is getting a strong wind at his back. The thing about him is he starts off slow and steady, and the media and republicans try with all their might to convince everyone that he’s dropped the ball on the health care issue and then — BAM! Republicans and the brain dead main stream media have no idea what them. God Bless Barack Obama.
Comment posted September 14, 2009 @ 7:57 am
From the Obama joker, “Say no to the vaccine!”
Comment posted September 14, 2009 @ 9:29 am
Obama is lying about his healthcare plan. Say ‘no’ to Obamacare, and yes to the many other good ways to reform healthcare.
Comment posted September 14, 2009 @ 12:08 pm
Oh, well, if Tim, whoever he is, says Obama is lying, then I guess he must be. Evidence of lying must be optional.
Comment posted September 14, 2009 @ 9:52 pm
Tim knows because he is one of the guys that is supporting the repeal of the Patriot Act, right Tim?
Comment posted September 15, 2009 @ 10:42 am
I hope Obama will stop the wars and pull the troops home.
I hope Obama will repeal the patriot acts (among other liberty robbing laws).
I hope Obama will fix the healthcare crisis and kick the insurance companies lobby machine to the curb.
I don’t COUNT on it, but I DO hope.
Obama has a charisma about him that calls out for me to support him because his oratory skills are above average. My problem is the deep distrust of political windbags who came before him, and the true onset of CHANGE that they have subverted for decades.
The protesters of the 1960s, their dreams and hopes, all fell silent after the slayings of the kennedy family and MLK, among others. The modus operandi was silence them all. It worked. Our dreams were stifled right up until this very day. I am waiting. Watching. Hoping. But I don’t see much.
He just hasn’t done a single thing to undo the 8 years of BUSH/CHENEY and the damage is deep, divisive, and (apparently) permanent.
Comment posted September 15, 2009 @ 11:02 pm
I like to have health care reform. Thank Mr president OBAMA
Comment posted September 15, 2009 @ 11:16 pm
I had a similar experience to Ginny (comment #1) — arrived noonish, no problem parking two blocks away, no problem getting in — what was all the fuss? Glad I went.
Comment posted October 1, 2009 @ 12:43 am
Twin City Hospital LPN’s Contract Update: Management proposes to impose mandatory, forced vaccinations on SEIU members. Liberty-vs-Tyranny. Once the health care workers submit to tyranny the general public is next. Demand health freedom! Say “No” to forced vaccination. Say “Yes” to informed consent. Wake up people this is America. Those of you who understand what is happening to this great country will know who I am talking to.
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