General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy the fuck does the President have to accept the nomination at a stadium?
Why couldn't he just accept it at the Convention Center? Filling all those seats, the cost of security, weather, etc.
http://thehill.com/conventions-2012/dem-convention-charlotte/246935-obama-campaign-says-it-will-fill-stadium-for-conventions-finale
WI_DEM
(33,497 posts)cali
(114,904 posts)Scuba
(53,475 posts)Gidney N Cloyd
(19,845 posts)The meme on Romney (the one the media WILL talk about) is 'why doesn't anyone like this guy?' The contrast to Obama in a packed stadium will be quite tasty.
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)babylonsister
(171,079 posts)Frank Cannon
(7,570 posts)Because he doesn't have to truck in people of color or celebrities or troops-held-under-duress to pretend that people actually give a shit about him and what he has to say?
cali
(114,904 posts)CHARLOTTE, N.C. College students from across North Carolina will arrive in Charlotte by the busload. Same with members of predominantly black churches in neighboring South Carolina.
Their goal: help fill a 74,000-seat outdoor stadium to capacity when President Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination Thursday night.
Anything short of a full house on the final night of the Democratic Party's national convention will be instant fodder for Republicans eager to use empty seats as symbols of waning voter enthusiasm for Obama.
Democrats have been fretting for months over whether the president can draw a capacity crowd at Bank of America Stadium. Polls show voter enthusiasm is down, as are Obama's crowds for his battleground state campaign rallies.
<snip>
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20120903/us-cvn-obama-drawing-a-crowd/
Frank Cannon
(7,570 posts)Anyway, I'm sure all that bus fare will be cheaper than what the Republicans spent on Clint Eastwood to come in and torpedo their convention.
Corgigal
(9,291 posts)just so you know, it depends where you're leaving from. Some of the buses are free. I spend 25 bucks for a round trip because it was closer to my house.
Response to Corgigal (Reply #40)
MzShellG This message was self-deleted by its author.
MzShellG
(1,047 posts)I had know idea. Had I know this, I couldve gone. I'm only a little over an hour away.
On edit: Grammar error.
Corgigal
(9,291 posts)If you got your credentials done, call your local Democratic headquarters and look into it.
MzShellG
(1,047 posts)But it's too late since I never picked up my credentials. I didn't know about the buses. Guess I shouldve called our local OFA office.
BumRushDaShow
(129,304 posts)Why is DU embracing the "lack of enthusiasm" meme?
Look at this video from just this past Saturday night at a "Made in America" concert featuring Jay Z here in Philadelphia with some 50,000 people on the Ben Franklin Parkway (the President introduced Jay Z via a video message) -
Does THIS look like a "lack of enthusiasm"?
"Bussing in" people saves from putting tens of thousands of cars on the road who would otherwise have to try to find somewhere to park and allows groups to bring in supporters and grassroots volunteers to see the President in a historic speech. When they had the Million Man March in DC 17 years ago, did they not "bus people in"? When they had the March on Washington in 1963, did they not "bus people in"? For God's sake.
It's a distinct and purposeful pattern of denigration being put out there that is not coincidental... but fortunately many on DU recognize it for what it is.
RandiFan1290
(6,239 posts)Just a few of the "forever concerned"
BumRushDaShow
(129,304 posts)JNelson6563
(28,151 posts)lunatica
(53,410 posts)progressivebydesign
(19,458 posts)"oh look, they're freaking about because he can't fill a stadium" And this meme that the President isn't popular anymore is another one of them. I'm looking at overflow crowds his week, and wondering why the OP keeps posting shit from the "the hill" which is hardly a dem-friendly site.
uponit7771
(90,348 posts)Floyd_Gondolli
(1,277 posts)Hopeful for defeat
Hopeful for failure
Hopeful for embarrassment.
Tarheel_Dem
(31,237 posts)narrative. And the o.p.'s been employing that strategy for awhile now.
rbrnmw
(7,160 posts)are superimposing their "reporters" on an old Glenn Beck rally that only 5 people showed up to and telling them it's Charlotte but from what I can see on MSNBC that crowd is Huge and pumped up I wish I was there
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)Even more so since he became president. If there's anything DU hates more than a fucked-up Republican, it's a successful Democrat.
liberalmuse
(18,672 posts)Of course I'm seeing that Republicans are twisting and projecting this, saying he can't fill a convention hall. Apparently Obama is also busing in thousands of Muslims.
aquart
(69,014 posts)And where are the Taoist buses? Nobody ever buses the Taoists.
alphafemale
(18,497 posts)Giving a ride to some college kids eager to see the president is not the same thing as HAVING to bus people in.
You make it sound like its North Korea and attendance is mandated at gun point or something.
Chorophyll
(5,179 posts)I'm not a Pollyanna by any stretch of the imagination, but it's like you're not allowed to ever show a little enthusiasm around here.
Kookaburra
(2,649 posts)I stood in line for many hours to get tickets for the acceptance speech, and the line was ridiculously long and never got any shorter (and they did run out of tickets before they ran out of people). I know that there are buses being chartered to bring in students from universities around the state, but I don't believe it's ONLY a strategic move to fill the stadium.
I don't have the numbers and statistics, but I know what I've observed and what I've heard going out and talking to people and just from that I truly do not think he would have any problem filling the stadium.
This is only my experience.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Would you rather he do this at a bucolic fair ground and have everyone drive?
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,335 posts)I live near Wrigley Filed in Chicago.
I guess the Cubs have to "bus them in" because I see buses parked all up and down the roads during Cubs games.
Tarheel_Dem
(31,237 posts)Not to mention the environmental implications.
NYC Liberal
(20,136 posts)that had free or cheap shuttle buses running to bring people who couldn't drive or get there on their own.
WI_DEM
(33,497 posts)I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill. And, of course, Obama isnt' drawing the crowds he had in 2008 when he was the new kid on the block and everybody was curious about him. But he sure is drawing more than Romney.
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)intend to have a great time with my fellow campaign workers.
GET ON THE BUS!!!!
MineralMan
(146,324 posts)Buses are the most efficient way for people to get there. Uses less fuel, and makes it possible for people who want to attend to attend. You're just being a Debbie Downer again. Why are you doing that?
Kalidurga
(14,177 posts)just sayin.
otohara
(24,135 posts)Going to the 08 speech in Denver was an amazing experience. The security was no big deal.
People were still trying to get tickets the day of.
The more people that are able to go is a good thing.
He promised access and this is access for a once in a lifetime experience for us non-delegates.
Lex
(34,108 posts)Which is utter bullshit.
progressivebydesign
(19,458 posts)They did it because it's more convenient than having thousands of cars. They do it because it's a way to include people who would otherwise be unable to get there on their own. Seriously.. calm down.
Lex
(34,108 posts)to see the President's speech.
toddwv
(2,830 posts)Do you think this is the first time that people have rode buses to go to a major event or something?
Here's some other "stories" by the right-wing hack who wrote that one:
http://newsbusters.org/people/julie-pace
So, I ask again. Why are you repeating the right-wing spin here?
angstlessk
(11,862 posts)So I send a bus to X college and for a free ride you get to go to the DNC...not exactly by duress is it?
apnu
(8,758 posts)There was even a flap about delegates stranded 1/2 hour drive from the convention center because they forgot to send a bus out there. Bussing people around during conventions is common. I've been to loads of industry conventions (I'm an IT guy) and always had free bussing to get around.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)Really?
Good grief.
cali
(114,904 posts)I don't think it's much more risky than other venues though, cali, and it is a very special occasion. Do it big -- rock the Casbah!
JohnnyLib2
(11,212 posts)Odin2005
(53,521 posts)greytdemocrat
(3,299 posts)WI_DEM
(33,497 posts)progressivebydesign
(19,458 posts)Franker65
(299 posts)TheCowsCameHome
(40,168 posts)taterguy
(29,582 posts)TheCowsCameHome
(40,168 posts)taterguy
(29,582 posts)The answer will probably depend on what happens with the next big storm.
TheCowsCameHome
(40,168 posts)One room is all I needed when I stayed there..................
taterguy
(29,582 posts)Unless you get one previously occupied by a surfer and then it smells even worse.
TheCowsCameHome
(40,168 posts)...........and I thought is was the honeymooning couple next door.
Proud liberal 80
(4,167 posts)If the stadium is not filled then that will be all the talk by the "Liberal Media".
gateley
(62,683 posts)Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)I haven't been to his site in a while, but I'll bet you anything that he is focused on this issue. It's similar to the teleprompter attack against Obama. The right wing echo chamber is filled with this kind of inane stuff.
You're right. At the end of the day it's all meaningless. I really don't think anyone will switch their vote from Obama to Romney because Obama couldn't fill an entire stadium.
progressivebydesign
(19,458 posts)apnu
(8,758 posts)He's still popular with the youth. He's popular with women. He's popular with African Americans. He's popular with Latinos. He's popular with unions. Pretty much, he's popular with everybody that isn't a white male racist.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)Curtland1015
(4,404 posts)We may not like it, but you need to capture people's attention somehow.
RandiFan1290
(6,239 posts)If he turned people away the same people would be concerned that he is an elitist. The media are going to try and trash it either way... yeah I'm shocked.
otohara
(24,135 posts)The whole day was filled with music, speakers.
spanone
(135,857 posts)BlueinOhio
(238 posts)On yahoo article about about not having enough people to fill seats at the convention
progressivebydesign
(19,458 posts)I wouldn't believe them if they wrote that my pants were on fire, even if I smelled smoke.
liberal N proud
(60,339 posts)JNelson6563
(28,151 posts)lolz Sometimes the stupid here is beyond ordinary. Great pic, thanks for posting!
Julie
BumRushDaShow
(129,304 posts)Bjorn Against
(12,041 posts)Chorophyll
(5,179 posts)Care Acutely
(1,370 posts)bigtree
(86,005 posts)It's a way to open the convention beyond the delegates.
randome
(34,845 posts)Joe the Revelator
(14,915 posts)You think it old have gotten old to her by now...
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)that. Just yesterday I was reading people were lining up to get the free pay to hear the acceptance speech. Waiting and spending the night in line. I think it is great people are willing to wait to hear history being made. I think he will give a great speech.
JNelson6563
(28,151 posts)Of course.
WilliamPitt
(58,179 posts)And, obviously, just to piss you off.
Joe the Revelator
(14,915 posts)msanthrope
(37,549 posts)Logical
(22,457 posts)vademocrat
(1,089 posts)As others have said, providing transportation for people who want to see him is different from having to bus people in. I live in Richmond, VA and every time he's here there is much more demand than there are tickets available. I know several people who will be driving from here to see the acceptance speech - they are NOT being "forced", they are not being paid by the DNC - they want to see President Obama in person and this is the first chance they've had. I don't like crowds so will watch on tv in my comfortable den...
Joe the Revelator
(14,915 posts)Why can't she just be excited like the rest of us? Worrying all the time, wet blanketing everything, being a buzz kill, etc.
Logical
(22,457 posts)nolabels
(13,133 posts)hint: Ignore treads started by the OP
btw, this will be my last
KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)If he only appealed to angry old racist misogynist, homophobic, self-hating white men they could have it at a fucking Denny's I suppose.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)And just fyi, those who take it upon themselves to mention security, you call this 'a risk' in the thread, really need to get specific about the areas in which they disagree with the Secret Service about this event.
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)TheCowsCameHome
(40,168 posts)They're his groupies.
mattclearing
(10,091 posts)cthulu2016
(10,960 posts)Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)Hand wringing about Obama accepting the nomination in a stadium rather than the convention center?
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)more important issues?
Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)because the fact remains, this issue is inane. There are a lot more important issues IMO.
I mean showing concern over the fact that Obama will accept the nomination in a stadium rather than the convention center is a little absurd IMO.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)too passionate...I am the biggest culprit.....but, the fact remains that there are pros and cons of every issue raised.
Shit, now I sound like a scolder. sorry :>
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)Parking might be a WEE bit of a problem, and it might be three to a urinal and one at the sink for most of the night (been in bar settings like that). Still, all of the stadium stuff is just getting ridiculous on both sides. And yet the most annoying thing I've seen cited on DU is the commentators COMMENTING NON-STOP! How about just recording what's being said and giving a simple "This (so-and-so), the (position held) from (location)." and then SHUTTING UP?
RB TexLa
(17,003 posts)msanthrope
(37,549 posts)Whisp
(24,096 posts)It will be so much fun for you! argh. I am so jealous.
Normally I hate crowds and avoid them but I love screaming, yelling, loud and happy crowds.
And there will be din.
RagAss
(13,832 posts)blue neen
(12,327 posts)Oh brother.
Brother Buzz
(36,453 posts)Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?
Ellipsis
(9,124 posts)Brother Buzz
(36,453 posts)Woof, woof, woof! That's my other dog imitation.
Ellipsis
(9,124 posts)" While our armies are advancing so fast and everyone's knocking themselves out to be heroes, we are holding ourselves in reserve in case the Krauts mount a counteroffensive which threatens Paris... or maybe even New York. Then we can move in and stop them. But for 1.6 million dollars, we could become heroes for three days."
Seemed only appropriate to have clip with Eastwood in it.
ProgressiveEconomist
(5,818 posts)ad. Millions who watch on TV will get swept up emotionally and "join" the crowd--choose decisively to be on our side at the polls.
For what would you use any money "saved" by scrimping on the most important event of Barack Obama's Presidency? If you can't answer this question, then you agree that spending on the convention acceptance speech is the most effective campaign spending of all.
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)Hell, they'd put the acceptance on at the Super Bowl if they could.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)So, as a species, we have developed these places where many people can see things at the same time. These places are called stadiums.
Do you have any other questions?
that was beautiful.
amuse bouche
(3,657 posts)and go for it big. It's his last chance. I can't wait and the musical lineup is fabulous
MineralMan
(146,324 posts)which is why they're doing it there. People want to be at such an event. And they will come. Tens of thousands will be cheering President Obama. It's a great idea. If I could be there, I would. Why do you care?
Avalux
(35,015 posts)jenmito
(37,326 posts)will move it to the same place Tuesday's and Wednesday's speeches will be held.
cynatnite
(31,011 posts)cali
(114,904 posts)nobodyspecial
(2,286 posts)Did you get the rise you wanted?
Lex
(34,108 posts)progressivebydesign
(19,458 posts)Logical
(22,457 posts)ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)ladjf
(17,320 posts)should pay off as hoped. nt
progressivebydesign
(19,458 posts)Seriously. You do love to stir up some interesting stuff.
Thank you for your concern. The President will do just fine, judging from the massive crowds that were sold out, with thousansd more unable to get tickets, this week in smaller areas.
But really.. thank you soooo much for your concern.
CreekDog
(46,192 posts)riverbendviewgal
(4,253 posts)that was so awesome...they weren't made to take off a day of work without pay like those miners did for Romney.
Anyone watching OB's inauguration knows these people wanted to be there, even in the freezing cold..
I wish I could see him in person....Believe me, many Canadians love OB and wish we had someone like him.
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)tnvoter
(257 posts)gkhouston
(21,642 posts)Chorophyll
(5,179 posts)Dag. I hate everything.
barbtries
(28,810 posts)to witness their democracy in person?
backscatter712
(26,355 posts)fishwax
(29,149 posts)as it was in 2008 ...
rbrnmw
(7,160 posts)Yes We Can!!! Yes We Can!!! Yes We Can!!! Yes We Can!!! Yes We Can!!! Yes We Can!!!
grantcart
(53,061 posts)Last time we won NC by 14,000.
This time he has already registered 40,000 Hispanic voters.
They have 40 neighborhood offices in NC and they are going to fill up the stadium and pump up NC.
If the President takes NC then the election is over, there is no reasonable alternative for Romney to get to 270 without NC.
Even if he doesn't take NC he is going to make the Republicans spend a lot of resources including candidate time there.
It is a brillliant strategy.
Kind of like during the primaries when he pulled a huge advantage by sweeping Idaho.
"Why go to Idaho?".
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)Raine
(30,540 posts)NYC Liberal
(20,136 posts)Why couldn't he just accept it from the White House via a satellite video feed? Filling all those seats, the cost of security, weather, etc.
RBInMaine
(13,570 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)about Obama himself. If he doesn't fill it, no enthusiasm. If he does fill it, it will be about how
he had to round people up from afar. Almost like a lose-lose. On the other hand, there will
be value derived by showing so many supporters. Perhaps it will all be a wash
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)there are attacks on the OP.
BumRushDaShow
(129,304 posts)This is the crux of the argument here. ANY large event - whether it is a gathering in a big park or at a stadium or at a convention center - people are "BUSED IN".
Here in Philadelphia, we have the Philadelphia International Flower Show every year. The attendance during the week of the show is generally 300,000 people. People come from all around the world to view the displays and participate in workshops. Many many groups (garden clubs, senior centers, churches, horticultural organizations) up and down the nation (generally east of the Mississippi), are BUSSED IN (which drives me completely insane during the week of the show because of all the buses that I have to navigate around as part of my commute to work).
So this thing about "busing people in" attached to some sort of nonsensical spin beyond the practicality of bringing large groups of people to an event, IS BULLSHIT.
Have I made myself clear?
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)enough to already know how the other side will spin it. Hypocritical of course since Romney's bussed
Mormons everywhere he speaks.
BumRushDaShow
(129,304 posts)magnified by the M$M, so overly focusing on something minor like this nonsense only serves to play into their hands.
MrScorpio
(73,631 posts)Fill that stadium UP!
cali
(114,904 posts)You're wasting your time venting your spleen, unless of course, you just want to vent your spleen and don't care that I won't be reading it. I was warned about the thread, so I'm not reading responses.
I will say one thing: If ithe stadium gambit fails, we won't be hearing the end of it from the friendly MSM. Make that two things: I get that they're trying to recreate the magic and sense of inevitability of yesteryear. Personally, I think that's a risky choice. The environment is way different. Yes, I have a lot of faith in the President's political team, but that doesn't mean I think they're infallible.
apnu
(8,758 posts)Yes its a big gamble, but the stakes are high and its time for big rolls of the dice. But Obama is popular enough he can fill a stadium. All the right-wing media will have left to blather about is how they think its arrogant to have a speech in a big football stadium. And they'll look like fools for it. The rest of the media, the ones who sway back and forth like CNN, will blow in our direction and ejaculate over how amazing Obama is. And the left leaning media will convince us that Obama actually is Christ and was just walking on water during the speech. Daily Koz will report that not only did Obama walk on water, but he moonwalked as well.
The stadium gambit is a win-win all around if filled, and it will fill. Mark my words.
treestar
(82,383 posts)B Calm
(28,762 posts)librechik
(30,676 posts)I urge everyone to go, but my experience is they're probably already sold out. That's why they moved to the larger venue.
Security is expensive everywhere.
apnu
(8,758 posts)That sends a powerful message to us, to his competitors and the rest of the world. Its a stunt, yes, but a effective and powerful one. I recall the stadium footage from 2008 in Denver and it was emotional for me to watch then, as it is for me now recalling it.
It serves to demoralize the opposition. Romney had a couple of empty seats in Tampa during his speech, plus it was a snoozer of a speech and he had to go up there after the Eastwooding of a chair. By comparison, Obama will come out on stage in that massive stadium to a deafening roar of a crowd, that will unman Mitt even before Obama starts talking.
The world will get to see the sitting President of the United States being applauded by an ecstatic and energized citizenry, this will show the world that the American people love this guy, that's counts for gold in the realm of global politics.