No Cameras @ Barack Rally

[rjp2008]

No cell phones either. Lines are long.

[Midway ®]

I hope he doesn't make another anti guns and church statement.

Why? Do you bring your guns to church on Sunday?

[thelakelander]

It was pretty packed out there.  According to CNN, there's around 12,000 inside the park and another 6,000 outside.

[thelakelander]

There's also a plane flying around that says Florida is McCain and Palin Country.

[ProjectMaximus]

Haha, gotta love it. Hope the rally is going as well as the gator game so far...

There's also a plane flying around that says Florida is McCain and Palin Country.

[JaxByDefault]

Today's Jacksonville rally is getting some international press attention, though more for the protest than the stump speech. Fox News, ABC, newswires AFP and UPI, and others focused on the messages of the two banner-toting planes flying over head during the Obama gathering.

Attendance statistics cited ranged from 10k-12,000 in the park with 6k-8,000 outside of the park--a nice turnout considering the late announcement, the day's rain, and competition from Florida college football.

[Matt]

Wow, i don't think i'd ever like any candidate enough to wait in that line...

[David]

Anyways. One thing was apparent.  Jacksonville is one of the most conservative cities of the union when it comes to political activities, and this was a MASSIVE show of support for the candidate.

McCain's rally famously could not scrape up 3000 people in support. 

Im just saying.  He doesnt have a shot in hell.

I thought the same thing, and I was locked out of the event myself since I didn't get out of work until two or so...but. becareful about going off the rally attendance numbers. McCain's supporters don't seem like the rally types. I hope it's a blow out but you never know. They are called the silent majority for a reason. I just hope everyone that was there today actually votes.

p.s. nice dick move with the plane banner there 'publicans. You just can't back off for one day can ya?

Florida is never anyone's country, it does always come down to the wire here.

[brainstormer]

Like StephenDare and David, I was locked out about 100 feet from the main entrance gate.  Most of us acknowledged the fact that we weren't going to make it in, so we just kind of hung out and fortunately we could still hear the speakers.  I was a little shocked that the main gate was not only padlocked, but they also brought in barricades as a secondary reinforcement.  I thought it a bit ironic that just a week after The Pearl fiasco, I found JSO locking 15,000 people inside with padlocks and barricades.    I was also surprised by how much open space was still left in the park.  Was the Fire Marshall actually counting or did it just get to the point where he thought the park was full enough?  Hmmm.
The lines were long, but people were in great spirits and it was nice to be around others who share the same beliefs I do.  Everyone there was fired up and ready to pitch in and answer the call to vote Obama/Biden this November.  It's been great for this city to have both McCain and Obama make campaign stops here.  Their stops help people feel more involved in the election process, which is great.  It also makes Jacksonville an important stop for future elections.
And the planes...what a waste of fuel.  What did they hope to accomplish?  I guess if you are a Republican you can afford to waste money.

[will]

I took the wife and kids to the rally, but like lots of other people didn't make it in before they locked the gates. We ended up listening with thousands of others in the kids campus area. The crowds were huge and enthusiastic. In 2004, we went to a Kerry rally at the Landing. The differences between these two events was dramatic. I've never seen any political event quite like it. Glad I was there.

[thelakelander]

Some of my family members came from Atlanta and Tampa to see the event.  My wife took the kids down there around noon.  I did not plan on heading that way, but she called me an hour later to come get the kids before she killed them.  I had to park a mile away so I could get in and out of there to get home before the 3:30 games started.  It was nice to see such a diverse crowd with upbeat spirits show up.  The lines were some of the longest I've ever seen and even those turned away seemed to not be upset about it.   

[brainstormer]

The enthusiasm of today reminded me of John Kerry's rally in Madison, WI back in 2004.  The 80,000 people there was one of the biggest in the state's history and attending it was amazing.  People in WI are so much more passionate about politics.  I grew up being very involved.  I remember my parents taking me out of school to go to political rallies, and all my friends' parents did the same thing.  People there also hold higher standards for their elected officials.  Recalls are a common occurrence.  When I moved to Jacksonville, I was surprised at how uninvolved people were here.  No one seemed to care about anything.  Today was the first time I've witnessed people fired up about bettering their lives.  It was great to see and made me feel at home. 

[vicupstate]

Anyways. One thing was apparent.  Jacksonville is one of the most conservative cities of the union when it comes to political activities, and this was a MASSIVE show of support for the candidate.

McCain's rally famously could not scrape up 3000 people in support. 

Im just saying.  He doesnt have a shot in hell.

I thought the same thing, and I was locked out of the event myself since I didn't get out of work until two or so...but. becareful about going off the rally attendance numbers. McCain's supporters don't seem like the rally types. I hope it's a blow out but you never know. They are called the silent majority for a reason. I just hope everyone that was there today actually votes.

p.s. nice dick move with the plane banner there 'publicans. You just can't back off for one day can ya?

Florida is never anyone's country, it does always come down to the wire here.

Wise words.  No one can say with confidence which candidate will win.  The debates will be VERY important and they haven't even begun. States like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are uncomfortably close for Obama.  On the other hand, Obama is at 51% in the Gallop daily tracking poll, which is I believe his highest percentage yet, and is 6% higher than McCain. 

Obama had at least as big a crowd at the U of SC stadium last winter, and he isn't going to win here. 

[copperfiend]

I got there around 11 with my mom, brother, son and some friends & neighbors. We were probably about 50 feet away from Obama. It was such a diverse crowd. I was near a group of about 10 kids from Stanton, an eldery white couple, an older black man and a young Indian couple. It was quite a site to see.

[tashi]

I loved all the positive energy that was there and the people. I was at Kids Campus and everyone was having a good time. I was so proud of my community!

Many people thought the presumptuous signs in the air were hilarious, and I think it actually motivated people to help get out the vote!