I got tickets to go to Obama's acceptance speech in Bronco's stadium. Such a good idea in theory. I stood in line for 4 hours in the heat. During every minute it was a challenge to stay in line and not go find a restaurant, a chair and food. But we (our little party of 3) hung together and we made it in.
Once we made it in, finding a seat was a challenge. All the good seats were taken by the smart/crazy people who had been in the stadium since noon. We sat in the stair isles and tried to avoid the security guards who clearly did not think blocking the exit ways was such a good idea.
When Obama started his speech, a group of nice elderly southern women who clearly had waited a LONG time for this moment let us squeeze right up next to them and they protected us from the security.
Obama's speech was amazing. It really was. It was a combination of being there with all those people, and waiting in line, and being a democrat from Utah who actually had a CHANCE to win and get something done...it was great. Worth every minute of that 4 hour line.
The crowd sang 'We shall over come' on the way out.
Fast forward a bit...
I was lucky enough to get a ticket to the State of the Union. I had been offered tickets in the past, but as much as I respect the office of the President, I didn't want to stand in line and wait and listen to George W. - it just wasn't worth it.
But last night was a different story. I went over to the Capitol and hung out in the Majority Leader's office for a while. It was nice to sit and eat chinese food. I went up to my seat about 8 and waited. I sat next to a nice guy from Louisiana who had come up just for the occasion. He was a total history buff and I kept pointing out Senators and members of the Cabinet - he loved it.
Obama started speaking and as much as you may or may not like his politics, he's a pretty funny guy. It was interesting to see -live- who clapped for what and when. The top military brass stood up twice, both when the POTUS said he supported the military. They didn't move when the POTUS talked about repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell - not because they don't agree, but because it is a political decision to be made by the civilian leadership, and they just implement the decision. THe Supreme Court Justices apparently made scowls when Obama knocked them for their decision last week.
The Republicans were respectful and clapped on quite a few occasions. Obama certainly gave them a few things to be happy about - offshore drilling???!!!
In the end, I thought it was a good speech. It was nice to be there and have the President say, 'look, I know it's not easy, but if we buckle down and work together we'll figure it out'. No one has to have all the answers, but they have to be willing to try.
Say what you will, but Obama is trying.
And I know you can't really tell, but the blonde standing next to the woman in the white coat in the upper gallery - is me.
