A reporter's inside look at Obama's political rally
Caroline Stenback
Issue date: 10/30/07 Section: Up Hill, Down Hill
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Despite spending an entire summer in Washington D.C., on Friday morning I peeled myself away from my pillow an entire hour early to attend what would be my very first political rally.
As I made my way into to Columbus to see Senator Barack Obama, I found myself thinking more about my dire need for caffeine and a bagel than politics and the upcoming election.
While I didn't know exactly what to expect of a political rally, I was attending the event as a card-carrying member of the press. However, upon my arrival at the Columbus Convention Center, any notions of grandeur quickly vanished as I was asked to bushwhack around the back of the building and enter next to the dumpsters and a clan of smoking, complaining waiters and servers.
While I was issued a very "official" cardboard, paper thin press pass at the door, by the time I reached the conglomeration of reporters in the very back of the convocation, I realized that my role as reporter was hardly as glamorous as I had hoped it would be.
As I made my way through the back entrance towards a riser full of photographers and several "real" journalists wearing suits and holding tape recorders, I fidgeted around with my bag and looked nervously around. In order to avoid looking like a rookie, I pulled out a notebook and pretended to feverishly jot down notes.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed and Michelle Obama walked on stage to face a sea of cheering supporters and signs. "Tick Tock, Tick Tock," she said and began to outline the countdown to the election and what would happen once Barack was elected into office. As she walked off stage the crowd erupted into chants of "O-H-I-O" and "Barack My Socks Off". The acoustics in the expansive hall drowned out Michelle's voice, as well as Barack's when he got on stage, but lip-reading sufficed.
While Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman got up to speak, I took a few minutes to absorb my surroundings. The stage, which was framed by a backdrop of a giant American flag, was hugged by full bleachers on either side, while more supporters stood densely packed directly in front. The crowd, which was comprised mostly of college-aged students, was incredibly enthusiastic and many on-lookers boasted homemade signs, buttons, and shirts to voice their support. I was immediately struck by the politically charged atmosphere of the convention and impressed by the energy and conviction of the participants.
As I made my way into to Columbus to see Senator Barack Obama, I found myself thinking more about my dire need for caffeine and a bagel than politics and the upcoming election.
While I didn't know exactly what to expect of a political rally, I was attending the event as a card-carrying member of the press. However, upon my arrival at the Columbus Convention Center, any notions of grandeur quickly vanished as I was asked to bushwhack around the back of the building and enter next to the dumpsters and a clan of smoking, complaining waiters and servers.
While I was issued a very "official" cardboard, paper thin press pass at the door, by the time I reached the conglomeration of reporters in the very back of the convocation, I realized that my role as reporter was hardly as glamorous as I had hoped it would be.
As I made my way through the back entrance towards a riser full of photographers and several "real" journalists wearing suits and holding tape recorders, I fidgeted around with my bag and looked nervously around. In order to avoid looking like a rookie, I pulled out a notebook and pretended to feverishly jot down notes.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed and Michelle Obama walked on stage to face a sea of cheering supporters and signs. "Tick Tock, Tick Tock," she said and began to outline the countdown to the election and what would happen once Barack was elected into office. As she walked off stage the crowd erupted into chants of "O-H-I-O" and "Barack My Socks Off". The acoustics in the expansive hall drowned out Michelle's voice, as well as Barack's when he got on stage, but lip-reading sufficed.
While Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman got up to speak, I took a few minutes to absorb my surroundings. The stage, which was framed by a backdrop of a giant American flag, was hugged by full bleachers on either side, while more supporters stood densely packed directly in front. The crowd, which was comprised mostly of college-aged students, was incredibly enthusiastic and many on-lookers boasted homemade signs, buttons, and shirts to voice their support. I was immediately struck by the politically charged atmosphere of the convention and impressed by the energy and conviction of the participants.
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