On Saturday I finally, for the first time in the campaign, saw Barack Obama speak in person. It was at the first of four rallies held throughout the city over the course of the day; I went to the one near Temple University, where a couple thousand people turned out and braved lines going several blocks to get inside the plaza.
Obama gave his standard stump speech, sort of marred by the glare of the rising sun behind him. But what struck me about the event was the crowd. Young and old, black and white, all sort of people, all quite excited but nevertheless anxious and sort of ready for Election Day to get here already. Passing cars were honking as they passed the event.
And while McCain was booed slightly when his name was mentioned, the event had no anger, no viciousness, and no one yelling "terrorist," or "kill him." (See a few posts below.)
Posted by Stephen Silver at October 13, 2008 12:37 AM