Tag: clinton

Calling For Mr. Franken

Jill Yablonski — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:18:59 -0500

Located on a hellish strip of University Avenue in St. Paul, the utilitarian structure sports the name of the candidate - a name which sparks equal amounts of love, hatred and a lot of stuff in between. The drab walls within, like those for any campaign headquarters, are sprinkled here and there with images of the contender, whose mug, for over thirty years, has graced TV screens, movie screens, book covers, placards, post cards, and, yes, perhaps, even mugs.

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

Cristina Cordova — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:32:48 -0500

We deserve Barack Obama.

That is tonight's message.

And Obama has arrived!

The crowd roars — everyone on their feet, so many of them smiling, laughing, a few even silently crying. Is this the message of change?

He can barely be heard above the din. For three whole minutes the crowd roars, only getting louder before they finally leave their voices in Obama's care.

"Thank you..."

And the crowd roars again.

He dedicates the evening to his grandmother.

Inside the Press Area

J.A. del Rosario — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:24:45 -0500

7:28
Inside the press area

Obamamania takes no prisoners. The bloggers, who never entertained the pretense of objectivity, are the first to fall. One writer for local blog MNpublius is pacing the press area looking for a way out.

"We are quarantined here!" he tells me.

Not with a Bang, But a Whimper

J.A. del Rosario & Cristina Córdova — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:24:13 -0500

This is the way the Democratic Primary season ends, not with a bang but a whimper.

The presidential campaign that started with a listening tour designed to state the obvious — that people wanted Hillary Clinton to run — will end the same way, with people telling her it's time to hang it up.

Earlier in the day, McCain's speech got the attention of the crowd. Two hours later, as Hillary addresses supporters in New York, there is not even a mention of the event inside this venue.

Turn It Down

J.A. del Rosario & Cristina Córdova — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:23:30 -0500

Press access to the general public has now been cut off. The only way out of the press area is through the tunnel.

According to Tim Russert, Obama's people are negotiating Hillary's withdrawal. Hillary insists she should be offered the VP position, so she can turn it down and withdraw with dignity. Obama's people are game, as long as she puts it in writing that she will not accept.

At this point, it's hard to say what speech to expect. How long before the Democratic nominee can gloat a little?

MSNBC — Reporting from the Twin Cities

Cristina Cordova — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:17:45 -0500

The screams continue as the overhead screens show MSNBC reporting from right here, the Xcel Center. Ah... now I understand why news reports always show people cheering in the background. They're just cheering themselves on. How quaint. Somehow, as a viewer, you always assume the cheers are for the politician. (I should have known better.)

Eye of the Storm

Cristina Cordova — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:08:46 -0500

After the press is settled in, the doors open to the general public. It's about 10 past six. The crowds file in, steadily, slowly, filling the arena. Is this an arena? I think it is. And right now, it feels like we're the show — broken gladiators. I don't see anyone turn to the crowd. Photographers line up on the riser before the stage. The rest of us sit at tables behind them, on computers, on phones, jabbering away with fellow reporters, documenters of the times.

When I say "O", You Say "Bama!"

J.A. del Rosario — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:03:37 -0500

7:00 p.m.

Out on the sidewalk, the lines of people snake around the block. A pack of Obama playing cards sells for $10.

The Obama volunteers are warming up the crowd as they make their way into the venue.

"When I say O," chants one Obama volunteer. "You say..."

"BAMA!" the crowd yells back.

Meet the Press

Cristina Cordova — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:29:03 -0500

Finding the press area was hard enough. All the way on the other side. No, go back the way you came. Straight down there and to the left. Down by the loading area. Across the street. Down. Down. Really? We have to cross the street — away from the Xcel Center — to get in. You're kidding me.

No. It's true.

I've never been here before, you see. And I'm already overwhelmed. But... this is the press. This is underwhelming — albeit the Harley strapped on to the back of a truck station. That's something.

Something in the Air

Cristina Cordova — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:07:12 -0500

I'm not easily moved — not by people anyhow, not by masses, that is. I was certainly moved by Brendel's performance at Orchestra Hall a few months ago. And now, now I am moved. This time by people coming together. How sappy that sounds. How cynical I am.

The Xcel is engulfed in bodies, live beautiful bodies, bodies of all ages, though I see few elderly folks (it's harder and harder to leave the home), bodies in all tones, shades, and shapes, all styles, all types. Bodies everywhere.