The Indy mud bog and the photo pool: Bruce, Alex, Raul, Jim, Ozier, Stan in front of Palin store.
Wednesday
Oct. 8
Indianapolis
Final day (for me)
Rainy departure from Nashville to a cloudy and drizzly Indianapolis. We’re all fearful of the outdoor rally at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, which apparently has become a mud bog. Fortunately drizzle lets up but stage is in the middle of a sea of mud. Wood boards cover the ground next to the stage where we kneel to photograph Obama speaking, but hard to escape the mud. Very loud crowd, usually at each event someone yells out, “I love you Barack”, and he answers back, “I love you back.” Which starts another round of cheers.
NY Times photographer Ozier Muhammad has a birthday today and he is met by his son and grandson and family friend at the rally who live in the area. Katie the press aide arranges for the four to go backstage to get a group shot with the Senator, which Ozier is very happy about. Great birthday present.
Long work time built in after the rally for the media and there are barbequed ribs and chicken for us, rice, macaroni and cheese. Plus I think a sheet cake cut up. One of the better lunches. On our way out of the fairgrounds we pass what looks like a small general store with the name “Palin” on the front. The photographers and tv crew jump out and we enlist Dean, the agent, to take our photo.
A short flight to Chicago and we are back at the Fairmont Hotel, the Senator off to home and exercise. So my short trip on the campaign trail is done- 9 days, 9 states, 11 flights.
It was a great experience, seeing how passionate and energized people are about Obama. And to see him respond to people, which he does in a very personal way. I think the campaign sees a pretty hard road ahead of them and most on the plane, especially the candidate, don’t get too optimistic. He’ll always say, “IF I’m president” in speeches, and people always respond, “WHEN you’re president”. Obama then says he’s superstitious and doesn’t want to sound too confident. I suppose all workers in all campaigns work for the bigger cause, but these workers do seem to think they are part of something historical, beyond the ordinary presidential politics. 27 more days.
Stan
Oct. 8
Indianapolis
Final day (for me)
Rainy departure from Nashville to a cloudy and drizzly Indianapolis. We’re all fearful of the outdoor rally at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, which apparently has become a mud bog. Fortunately drizzle lets up but stage is in the middle of a sea of mud. Wood boards cover the ground next to the stage where we kneel to photograph Obama speaking, but hard to escape the mud. Very loud crowd, usually at each event someone yells out, “I love you Barack”, and he answers back, “I love you back.” Which starts another round of cheers.
NY Times photographer Ozier Muhammad has a birthday today and he is met by his son and grandson and family friend at the rally who live in the area. Katie the press aide arranges for the four to go backstage to get a group shot with the Senator, which Ozier is very happy about. Great birthday present.
Long work time built in after the rally for the media and there are barbequed ribs and chicken for us, rice, macaroni and cheese. Plus I think a sheet cake cut up. One of the better lunches. On our way out of the fairgrounds we pass what looks like a small general store with the name “Palin” on the front. The photographers and tv crew jump out and we enlist Dean, the agent, to take our photo.
A short flight to Chicago and we are back at the Fairmont Hotel, the Senator off to home and exercise. So my short trip on the campaign trail is done- 9 days, 9 states, 11 flights.
It was a great experience, seeing how passionate and energized people are about Obama. And to see him respond to people, which he does in a very personal way. I think the campaign sees a pretty hard road ahead of them and most on the plane, especially the candidate, don’t get too optimistic. He’ll always say, “IF I’m president” in speeches, and people always respond, “WHEN you’re president”. Obama then says he’s superstitious and doesn’t want to sound too confident. I suppose all workers in all campaigns work for the bigger cause, but these workers do seem to think they are part of something historical, beyond the ordinary presidential politics. 27 more days.
Stan
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