OBAMA Slides into OBAMAHA, NE TODAY!!!

[RoadRage]

Obama arrived into Omaha this evening to have a "little" rally. The city was expecting a fairly large turnout due to the crowds that have been showing up in other cities over the past few weeks. They thought we might get as high as 5,000 or 6,000 in our little red state. They were WRONG.. 10,000 people showed up tonight, shocking people who even predicted a large turnout. The doors to our Auditorium opened at 3:30, but people started lining up by 11:30am. We got there around 3:00, and the line was already over 6 blocks long. THIS IS THE RED STATE OF NEBRASKA!!! The entire auditorium was over-filled... not a seat left anywhere, and over a thousand packed onto the floor with standing room only (no seats). This was the first time a democratic candidate has campaigned in NE in over 40 years.. the last person to do so was Robert Kennedy.

I ran into several people that I did not expect at all - several republicans that said they are excited to caucus for him on Saturday. People I would have never even thought to send emails to, just because they're so far right.

Hillary Clinton is not coming to Nebraska at all, and that was discussed heavily throughout the crowd while we waited 2 & 1/2 hours. The fact that Obama carved out an evening for us.. and Hillary didn't think it was worth the time to stop in the state for may impact the Caucuses on Saturday.. we will see.

I apologize for my not so great pictures... even arriving 1/2 hour before the doors opened still put us up in the "nosebleed" seats. We were just excited to be there!

[tabatha]

1. Thanks for pics and info.

Very heart warming.

[jkshaw]

5. Thanks

Great pictures.

[Kittycat]

2. Great crowd!

Thank you so much for sharing the pictures. What did you think of the speech? And what was the general tone as people were leaving?

[RoadRage]

12. The Speech was great.. i probably could have recited it! :)

It's definitely his stump speech.. but he added a bit of Husker Flair. I do think most of the people who saw it today hadn't seen it 18 times on YOUTUBE like I have already though. He got several standing ovations (Slamming George Bush, Leaving Iraq, Supporting Teachers & Merit Pay, College & Health Care). It was about 50 minutes long, and my hand hurt for clapping through the whole thing.

The tone when people were leaving was fantastic.. no one said a negative word.. well about him anyway. I heard a few "and Hillary thinks she can get votes by sending her daughter tomorrow for a few minutes??" comments, but that was about it. Definitely a HUGE feat for Obama. I'd say Nebraska is probably in his corner for sure!

[Kittycat]

30. How wonderful.

I've seen his speech online, and heard it on TV as well... But I bet there is nothing to compare, being right there - feeling the energy and excitement of the room. It doesn't matter how many times I hear his speak, I tear up a bit. Not always at the same point, but it's inevitable. He's a very moving speaker, and really has the ability, I feel - to turn help turn things around. I read about his plans for New Orleans yesterday, and although I do see many similarities between Edwards/Clinton/Obama - I really liked how he put an emphasis on tying it in to his overall plan. Getting the college kids back there to help in the rebuilding, in exchange for college grants. Getting the residents back there, to help rebuild their homes and community. Stopping the destruction of affordable housing, but replacing it with new/rebuilt affordable communities. It was a great proposal, and something I can see him working on Edwards with. I'd love to see him add in a "green" element with renewable resources, sustainable materials, etc. But I know that can all come in time.

[TwilightGardener]

3. Wish I could have gone today! That sort of reception, here, really does us proud.

Anybody who pays the least little attention to this big red square flyover state will, and should, be rewarded with lots of love on caucus day.

[peoli]

4. sweet. Thanks for the pics!

[Mojorabbit]

6. Great pics!

Thanks for sharing them.

[Tatiana]

7. Just... wow. In NEBRASKA. Phenomenal. n/t

[angie_love]

8. Thank you for the pics!

I've read that Hillary didn't take the time to show up in the Omaha newspaper article. They didn't seem too keen on that.

[Renew Deal]

9. That's pretty cool.

Thanks for sharing. Is that Ben Nelson in the last picture?

[Pirate Smile]

17. Yes, and the Gov of Iowa, Chet Culver endorsed Obama and was at the rally.

Nelson endorsed him a long time ago.

[Renew Deal]

20. Did Nelson say anything interesting?

I don't know much about him besides he's a DINO.

[Pirate Smile]

22. I don't know. I streamed some of it but it was after Obama had already started

his speech.

[RoadRage]

27. He basically just said that he was endorsing Obama

although he did that a while ago. He did trip when he walked up the stairs and everyone gasped.. it was kinda funny. He just said "I wanted to make sure everyone was paying attention" and then laughed.

He only spoke for about 5 minutes about making sure we all get out for the First Ever Nebraska Caucus tomorrow...

Nelson's OK. About as liberal as you can be in Nebraska, and still get elected.

[DUyellow]

10. How was his speech, did change anything up? Thanks!

[RoadRage]

14. First time i've seen his speech live, and it was pretty similar to the snips

i've seen online. He threw in a couple of Husker references.. but it was his stump speech. It worked.. the crowd clapped through the whole thing.

He did make a reference at the end to ensuring rights to all Americans- Rich or Poor, etc. etc.. and Gays and Lesbians. He spelled it out in NEBRASKA.. and the crowd clapped. So, I don't know if that's been in all of his speeches - but to those who think he isn't bringing that up in conservative areas, he is. I think I have it on video as well.. and I will post tomorrow if I caught it (battery was going dead).

Thanks!

[CTLawGuy]

11. he will win NE for the same reason he won ID

and CO, and KS... he SHOWED UP!

We have to change the philosophy of "if you are not a big state, you don't matter."

[RoadRage]

13. Obama changed that statement...

As we were waiting in line to get in, there were HUNDREDS of people in line - and about half were college kids, 1/4 were my age (25 - 35) and there were a lot of people my mom's age (60). She was with us. All they could talk about was that they had never seen a crowd like this in Nebraska for anything political.. only football games. The last thing to come close was when Robert Kennedy campaigned here in the late 60's. They said that it was the same vibe.. and it took them back to how they felt about the optimisim of the Kennedy campaigns. They "got it", and understood why the "kids" like this guy. It was all very inspiring - as was Senator Obama when he finally took the stage!

[Life Long Dem]

15. Just a "little" rally?

Today should be bigger!

[Scurrilous]

16. K & R

:thumbsup:

[arewenotdemo]

18. Very cool.

GO NEBRASKA!

[Tarheel_Dem]

19. kick for O....

:kick:

[RoadRage]

33. kickin' again.. why not?

[IronLionZion]

21. You'd be shocked what people will do if you simply show up and talk to them

and make them realize that you give a shit. They'll even support Democrats. Never forget that liberal war hero Bob Kerrey came out of Nebraska. Ben Nelson, as conservative as he is, won reelection with 64% of the vote. Obama has long coattails for these red state Dems simply by getting people to vote.

[RoadRage]

25. Yup - exactly. We'll vote blue, but you have to show up and ask us to do so!

I think Obama's presence in our state this week could greatly increase his chances of being able to win it in November. Especially against McCain - not many republicans like McCain out here...

It's the one possible year our State could be saying "GO BIG BLUE". I'd give it a 20% shot.. but that's better then the 0% we're normally at.

:)

[MidwestTransplant]

23. Look at all those black folks out to see him. If only he could get white voters too.

[RoadRage]

24. HA! That was the best part of the event..

Blacks, Whites & Hispanics intermixed like skin color actually didn't matter at all. There were black people all around us, joking, laughing like we'd known them forever. Omaha has a HUGE racial problem... it's really sad actually. But, looking at our arena yesterday, you would never have known it.

That is what Obama "does". He unites groups that aren't used to being united.. blacks & whites.. Dems & Republicans. He points out the things we all have in common - the things that matter to everyone. Healthcare, Jobs, The Economy.

Yesterday was a great day for the city of Omaha!

[Neecy]

26. awesome photos - thanks!!

[stillcool]

28. Thank You!

there is nothing wrong with those pics...they are great! I'm going to bookmark this thread so I can remind myself of what is really going on out there.

[RoadRage]

31. Thanks for the bookmark...

The energy & excitement is something that I have never ever seen in my 30 years in Red Nebraska. It's surreal.

[K Gardner]

29. "Glad Obama carved out an evening for us".. This is WHY Hillary wants to box him into a ridiculous

debate schedule. She does not want pictures like this, rallies like this, or voters like this going to see her opposition. Thank god Obama found a viable solution. These pictures are awesome ! Thanks so much for posting ! K&R

[RoadRage]

32. Thanks.. No I don't think Hillary likes to fight on this kind of turf..

Free televised debate are definitely better for her. I'm glad he showed up to our little red state. ;)