An Early Voter in Chicago
I stopped by the Pat Quinn campaign office a few nights ago to gather literature. It's time to visit voters in my precinct in hope of persuading them to vote for Democratic candidates.
Unexpectedly, a Quinn staffer informed me of an Early Voting rally planned for Sunday night that would feature not only Governor Quinn, but also the President. Would I like tickets?
That's how K and I found ourselves driving to Chicago State University last night.
There was a long, long time waiting outside CSU's convocation center with thousands of other people. Fortunately the weather was fairly nice.
Once we got in and got seated, the speechifying began quickly. As outermost members of the crowd, we had to climb far to get the only available seats.
This is the view Ashlee Rezin for Sun-Times Media, who took this photo, had.
This is the view we had.
It helps that my father left me his field glasses, which have put eyetracks on many a Notre Dame game. I got a good three-dimensional look at the backs, mostly, of the politicians.
The Governor gave a campaign speech that was enthusiastically received. No matter how many QUINN signs were waving in the air-- there were hundreds-- though, he was not the star of the show.
Mr. Obama is extremely popular with the people attending this event. He spoke about Chicago and Illinois. He reminisced about fellow Democrats and about his time here. He went on, as you'd expect, to talk about policy and campaign issues. He seemed relaxed. He didn't appear to speak from notes or a teleprompter. He had an air of informality, just saying what's on his mind to the folks who happened to be in the room with him. (Perhaps it helps that he says "folks" a lot.)
I've heard a fair number of politicians give speeches. The overwhelming impression Mr. Obama left me with was Golly, he is very, very good at this. As a public speaker, I may have been a little jealous. Granted, he's had a bit more practice...
The President was kind enough to pose for a photo with me.
Among the thousands attending we, after climbing to the very top of the bleachers right behind the podium, ran into people I know: the Quinn staffers who had given me the tickets. So that was fun. It was a fine evening.
And this morning, Mr. Obama Voted Early before departing his home town.
Unexpectedly, a Quinn staffer informed me of an Early Voting rally planned for Sunday night that would feature not only Governor Quinn, but also the President. Would I like tickets?
That's how K and I found ourselves driving to Chicago State University last night.
There was a long, long time waiting outside CSU's convocation center with thousands of other people. Fortunately the weather was fairly nice.
Once we got in and got seated, the speechifying began quickly. As outermost members of the crowd, we had to climb far to get the only available seats.
This is the view Ashlee Rezin for Sun-Times Media, who took this photo, had.
This is the view we had.
It helps that my father left me his field glasses, which have put eyetracks on many a Notre Dame game. I got a good three-dimensional look at the backs, mostly, of the politicians.
The Governor gave a campaign speech that was enthusiastically received. No matter how many QUINN signs were waving in the air-- there were hundreds-- though, he was not the star of the show.
Mr. Obama is extremely popular with the people attending this event. He spoke about Chicago and Illinois. He reminisced about fellow Democrats and about his time here. He went on, as you'd expect, to talk about policy and campaign issues. He seemed relaxed. He didn't appear to speak from notes or a teleprompter. He had an air of informality, just saying what's on his mind to the folks who happened to be in the room with him. (Perhaps it helps that he says "folks" a lot.)
I've heard a fair number of politicians give speeches. The overwhelming impression Mr. Obama left me with was Golly, he is very, very good at this. As a public speaker, I may have been a little jealous. Granted, he's had a bit more practice...
The President was kind enough to pose for a photo with me.
Among the thousands attending we, after climbing to the very top of the bleachers right behind the podium, ran into people I know: the Quinn staffers who had given me the tickets. So that was fun. It was a fine evening.
And this morning, Mr. Obama Voted Early before departing his home town.