Barack and Joe came to town yesterday...

[TrixieB]

... and the kid and I went. We got downtown and in line around 8:45. They opened the gates at 10:15, but by the time we got through security it was almost 11:00. The candidates didn't speak until about 12:25. Our feet hurt and we got rained on a little. It was thrilling to see them in person and hear them speak directly to us. It was very crowded (about 20,000 people), but we got close enough to get a few pictures.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/trixiebelle/Obama_Biden006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/trixiebelle/Obama_Biden011.jpg

I took this as everyone turned around to start leaving. This is how many people were behind us.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/trixiebelle/Obama_Biden014.jpg

There were a lot of kids there who were extremely excited about seeing the candidates. I hope that they keep that excitement about the democratic process through their lives.

[tstone]

Awesome! I want to see one of these in my lifetime.

[rappites]

That is awesome. I would like to see him speek in person too.

[TrixieB]

This was our third presidential candidate that we have seen in person. When the kid was 3 months old, we went out to the airport to see Bill Clinton. We didn't get very close at all. Four years ago, we went to NC A&T to see John Edwards. He was actually Kerry's running mate at the time, but he has been a presidential candidate. I have to say, though, that this was the most exciting and meaningful.