2008 Joe Biden Does Cheney Stadium
posted by on October 19 at 16:45 PM
There were, according to the Obama campaign, about 12,000 people in attendance at the Joe Biden rally that just finished up down here in Tacoma. It was one of his largest rallies ever, if chatter in the press area can be believed.
Cheney Stadium certainly seemed packed, and its name, of course, provided Biden with several joke opportunities, including a line about how if it had actually been named after Dick Cheney it would be hard place to hold a rally, since it would be… an undisclosed location.
Biden was introduced by Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, and by Governor Christine Gregoire, who got a lot of mentions from Biden. He described her as someone who’s been subject to the same kind of Republican attacks that he and Barack Obama have been facing, and he made it a point to say that Gregoire has delivered, and will continue to deliver, real change. (An implicit jab at Dino Rossi, who has been trying, with some success, to grab Obama’s “change” coattails.) He also had a few kind words for Darcy Burner. I managed to lose my notebook, but I remember them pretty clearly: “Good luck, kiddo.”
The setting was perfect for the aura that Biden has been trying to cultivate for himself. A smallish outdoor baseball stadium in a working-class part of a working-class city. The crowd, filled with what they call “hard-working Americans,” loved him. And he clearly loved being there:
I’ll post more about the event tomorrow, I hope, but for now, here’s one thing that the crowd really loved: Biden’s declaration that the Democrats had, finally, found a bumper-sticker formulation of their plans.
In his telling, it goes something like: “Returning our economic security and restoring America’s place in the world.” Maybe a tiny bit long for a bumper sticker, but pretty succinct for Joe Biden.
Photoshopping sure make Cheney Stadium seem crowded, but here, take a look at the bleachers...only this man was there to worship Biden:
http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0618/travel_ben_cheney_800.jpg
While I agree with Biden's politics 90% of the time, I've never really liked him as a person. I've always though of him as awfully self-centered, and a huge windbag. He has a tendency to give long droning speeches, and basically boring me to death. I groaned when I heard he'd been picked for VP.
But I have to say he's been on fire since the convention. He put in a near perfect performance at the VP debate. He's been spot on at rallies like this, from everything I've read. He hasn't made a single misstep.
For someone I've never really liked much, he impresses me more every day. I'm having to completely reverse my opinion of him. Go Joe!
Who is that guy in the purple shirt and black jacket right behind Biden? Very cute. Totes missed connection material.
I agree w/ the comment above me
Why don't you ever leave your mom's basement? I'm not vestigial, you know.
"Who is that guy "
my future fuck buddy.
I was at this rally today and there was standing room only at Obama-Biden Stadium. The previous record crowd for a Biden rally had been 4500 (according to several volunteers managing the lines). Doors opened at 12 and the line was slow and massive.
At some point, they turned off the metal detectors as it was slowing down the progress. I had guessed there were approximately 10,000, so seeing 12,000 does not surprise me.
Today was one of the days that pride and belief in your country is an overwhelming feeling.
"Economic Security and International Respect"
(still kind of boring, though)
Up by North Seattle Community College, I saw a house with a Nader sign and a Rossi sign. WTF?!?!?
Man I came in here prepared to say "I wonder what John Bailo will say today?" but he posted first. That seems to be the case usually, doesn't it?
John Bailo, you are one lonely motherfucker.
Cheney Stadium is pretty tiny...I wouldn't expect Stranger staffers to know that, of course, since it's outside Capitol Hill and usually showcases sporting events.
yes what is Demo message in 6 words? Quick everyone.
"Making America strong for all"
(This then gets unpackaged : we mean strong for all of us. Based on all our values. Truth justice the American way -- equality, opportunity, independence, hope. Our values. Based on all our strengths abroad, too -- diplomacy, moral leadership, military as needed esp. when working with our allies.
We won't support spine-less NO-Bama and will re-defeat him in November !! Go Hillary 2012 !!
@13: All the more reason to nominate Clinton to the Supreme Court...
Why does everybody need change? For a $5 or a $10?
Great pictures! Joe Biden looks great
Obama is in Madison, Wisconsin on Thursday-
15 days!!
@6,
Scary, your mom just called. She wants you to clean up your room.
Comments Closed
Comments are closed on this post.