Saturday, April 19, 2008

A quick handshake on the rope line!


Philadelphia, Pa. - The old newspaper guy inside of me still likes to dateline things. This morning I was to meet Jeremy because he was headed over to the main campaign headquarters where volunteers are coordinated! It was a chance to get some photos of him out of the office, which almost never happens.

On way over he casually dropped that after that we'd head to train station to see Obama off on his day-long, old-fashioned whistle-stop tour! As an admitted political junkie, I was all for it. See Saturday morning photos here.

We walked the 15 city blocks and Jeremy got us through a couple lines of security. We went down to the old Georgia Lines Luxury cars and got a tour though the train Obama would use today. It was too dark and crowded for photos, but did get one shot that's in the attached album of the back of the train Obama would be using to speak from during the various stops on the way to Harrisburg.

Upstairs a small group of people waited for the Senator. By the time his motorcade arrived security had let some members of the general public into the secure area. Still, I was on the front line and got a few shots you see here. He took his time working the line. I said, "Good luck, Senator," as he reached for my hand and he offered a "thank you."

I've met enough politicians and a few celebrity types I'm not star struck - but it was pretty cool. There were plenty of crazies at the rally last night and even in that small group this morning. But still, not ashamed to admit it was pretty cool.

On the walk over to the station Jeremy was already getting reports of huge crowds at the scheduled stops. Today began four days of canvassing for the campaign - going door to door for Obama. Jeremy's staff had nearly 12,000 people prepared to knock on doors today. Contact would be made with potential voters today through election day to turn out the vote.

"We have a plan in place to contact every single voter in Pennsylvania we want to contact before Tuesday," Bird said.

Back to Indiana this afternoon! The Obama-Hillary show won't be far behind.

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