Saturday October 18th, 2008 was a good day. Sunny and cool with a light breeze. So being young and adventurous as I am, I decided to spend my day the way any other guy would in my place: by standing still pressed into a mass of strangers for five hours hoping to catch a glimpse of my party's nominee for President of the United States. Yes, the concrete was less than luxurious beneath my brave but aged slip-ons, and yes the total lack of sustenance (I neglected to pack food, and liquids were forbidden) was rather unfortunate, but at the end of the day, I walked away with a broad smile on my face. Below I've posted some pics from my big day...
Governor Gilmore passed by, and took the time to shake my hand, ask my name, and then ask for my support in his campaign for United States Senate. I thanked him for his past service (I remember volunteering for his campaign as a teen), and assured him he had at least one vote in Stafford!
Once inside, I noticed that Fox's own Carl Cameron had come to cover the event. He must have heard I'd be there...
It seemed in fact that anyone who's
anyone in Virginia politics was present--even Babies for McCain/Palin!
We opened with prayer, led by a local judge. At the close she said, "We ask this in your name, Lord." At that moment a man to my left yelled out, "That name is Jesus!" Most folks answered with quiet but firm amens. Next the Sheriff of Prince William County took the stage to lead us all in the Pledge of Allegiance. As you can see, we had a truly American-sized flag.
For about the next hour we had a series of speeches given by various candidates and officials, including my new best friend, Governor Jim Gilmore. By about 3:25 (I arrived at 11am, but the doors didn't open until 1pm) we were all about to pass-out from standing so long in the afternoon sun when suddenly, everything went crazy. With "Superstitious" blaring over the speakers (does anyone know how to put movie clips on here?), the man of the hour made his entrance and began a fiery 20-minute oration on all things related to the political
zeitgeist we as Americans find ourselves in:
I was only two or three persons (we weren't really in rows, more of a herd) from the security barrier.
He sure was fired up today. After his speech, Senator McCain came down to our level and shook some hands:
He nodded in my direction and smiled when I yelled, "God bless you, John!" but of course my shout was only one of dozens, so who knows. I just like the idea of John McCain having heard my message in person.
There was one last sight I thought I would share. As I left for the parking lot, I spotted a "Joe the plumber" impersonator protesting Senator Obama's admitted plan to "spread the wealth around" by taxing business profits. As this man put it, "No redistribution!" (of wealth) "Hard work for pay".
Well, I suppose that about covers it. I guess we'll know if all the effort was worth it two weeks hence
Comments (3)
I really like your jacket!
I did wonder though whether Gov. Gilmore thought you were from the 'Hells Angels for McCain" ;)
Sounds like you had a lot of fun, and the post was alot of fun to read and explore.
@HelgiumBelgium - Indeed, sir, it was a very nice day! And yes, I love the jacket too--it's an early Christmas present from my mother. Sjáumst bráðum,
~JD
I'm so freaking jealous, i think i may actually turn green...
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