Barack Obama in Central OhioBarack Obama came to Central Ohio on 30 August 2008, and who would have thought that so many suburban Central Ohio honkies would stand in line (on a sunny, hot day in August) to see a black man who says that he wants to be president of the United States of America! I'm pleased to say that I was one of those honkies.
We arrived at Dublin Coffman High School a little after 3pm for an event that was scheduled for 7pm. Already the lines were long. By the time we got inside the stadium, more than 90 minutes later, the "home team" area had filled. Clearly, the promoters thought that they would fill only the home-team side. We sat in the "guest team" area, an entire football field width away from the activity. Thousands more stood on the field.
For an event that was expected to draw perhaps 5000 people, some 12,000 to 15,000 showed up. Fox "News" will undoubtedly report a far smaller count, but I was there and I did the math, conservatively. [The Columbus Dispatch and other legitimate news sources say attandance was in the range of 19,000 to 20,000. See <a href="http://tinyurl.com/DispatchObama">Dispatch coverage</a>.]
Bush, Cheney, Rove, and the other criminals who have been part of the wrecking crew for the past 8 years, will try to deflect the winds of change and continue the failed policies and programs of the past 8 years; but if the election is really FREE and FAIR, there's no doubt that the winds will win.
Choose hope, not fear, my friend. Eight is more than enough.http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaHope/362473625_d7Hoh-Ti.jpghttp://billblinn.smugmug.com/gallery/5838269_RE6ZS/2008-08-31T02:02:54ZCopyright 2010, the copyright holder of each photograph. Some portions copyright SmugMug. All rights reserved.SmugMugWe arrived around 3pm and already there were long lines. This is one of several lines. We started here.<p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com">Bill Blinn</a><br />We arrived around 3pm and already there were long lines. This is one of several lines. We started here.</p><p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/5838269_RE6ZS#362169975_Cfv9Z" title="We arrived around 3pm and already there were long lines. This is one of several lines. We started here."><img src="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-01/362169975_Cfv9Z-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="41" alt="We arrived around 3pm and already there were long lines. This is one of several lines. We started here." title="We arrived around 3pm and already there were long lines. This is one of several lines. We started here." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-08-30T22:24:30ZBill Blinnhttp://billblinn.smugmug.comhttp://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-01/362169975_Cfv9Z-Th-1.jpgThe organizers seemed surprised by the large turnout.<p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com">Bill Blinn</a><br />The organizers seemed surprised by the large turnout.</p><p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/5838269_RE6ZS#362170058_zuoVS" title="The organizers seemed surprised by the large turnout."><img src="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-02/362170058_zuoVS-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="66" alt="The organizers seemed surprised by the large turnout." title="The organizers seemed surprised by the large turnout." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-08-30T22:24:20ZBill Blinnhttp://billblinn.smugmug.comhttp://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-02/362170058_zuoVS-Th-1.jpgWe were given tickets.<p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com">Bill Blinn</a><br />We were given tickets.</p><p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/5838269_RE6ZS#362170137_bbxuH" title="We were given tickets."><img src="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-03/362170137_bbxuH-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="55" alt="We were given tickets." title="We were given tickets." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-08-30T22:23:23ZBill Blinnhttp://billblinn.smugmug.comhttp://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-03/362170137_bbxuH-Th-1.jpgAnd then we were asked to move to another line because this side of the line was full.<p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com">Bill Blinn</a><br />And then we were asked to move to another line because this side of the line was full.</p><p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/5838269_RE6ZS#362170240_5DnA7" title="And then we were asked to move to another line because this side of the line was full."><img src="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-04/362170240_5DnA7-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="71" alt="And then we were asked to move to another line because this side of the line was full." title="And then we were asked to move to another line because this side of the line was full." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-08-30T22:22:32ZBill Blinnhttp://billblinn.smugmug.comhttp://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-04/362170240_5DnA7-Th-1.jpgOn the other side, the line doubled back on itself at least 4 times when we arrived, 4 hours before the event, and by the time the gates opened, it doubled back on itself several more times.<p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com">Bill Blinn</a><br />On the other side, the line doubled back on itself at least 4 times when we arrived, 4 hours before the event, and by the time the gates opened, it doubled back on itself several more times.</p><p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/5838269_RE6ZS#362170321_uCAkh" title="On the other side, the line doubled back on itself at least 4 times when we arrived, 4 hours before the event, and by the time the gates opened, it doubled back on itself several more times."><img src="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-05/362170321_uCAkh-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="73" alt="On the other side, the line doubled back on itself at least 4 times when we arrived, 4 hours before the event, and by the time the gates opened, it doubled back on itself several more times." title="On the other side, the line doubled back on itself at least 4 times when we arrived, 4 hours before the event, and by the time the gates opened, it doubled back on itself several more times." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-08-30T22:23:08ZBill Blinnhttp://billblinn.smugmug.comhttp://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-05/362170321_uCAkh-Th-1.jpgInside, we found that the "home team" bleachers were already full, so we moved to the "guest team" bleachers. Thousands of Obama supporters chose to stand on the field.<p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com">Bill Blinn</a><br />Inside, we found that the "home team" bleachers were already full, so we moved to the "guest team" bleachers. Thousands of Obama supporters chose to stand on the field.</p><p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/5838269_RE6ZS#362170438_hug5D" title="Inside, we found that the "home team" bleachers were already full, so we moved to the "guest team" bleachers. Thousands of Obama supporters chose to stand on the field."><img src="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-06/362170438_hug5D-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="86" alt="Inside, we found that the "home team" bleachers were already full, so we moved to the "guest team" bleachers. Thousands of Obama supporters chose to stand on the field." title="Inside, we found that the "home team" bleachers were already full, so we moved to the "guest team" bleachers. Thousands of Obama supporters chose to stand on the field." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-08-30T22:22:42ZBill Blinnhttp://billblinn.smugmug.comhttp://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-06/362170438_hug5D-Th-1.jpgHope, not fear, permeated the event.<p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com">Bill Blinn</a><br />Hope, not fear, permeated the event.</p><p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/5838269_RE6ZS#362170564_Ueyhd" title="Hope, not fear, permeated the event."><img src="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-07/362170564_Ueyhd-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="Hope, not fear, permeated the event." title="Hope, not fear, permeated the event." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-08-30T22:24:03ZBill Blinnhttp://billblinn.smugmug.comhttp://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-07/362170564_Ueyhd-Th-1.jpgWe heard from John Glenn, a true American hero, and from other state, local, and federal officials.<p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com">Bill Blinn</a><br />We heard from John Glenn, a true American hero, and from other state, local, and federal officials.</p><p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/5838269_RE6ZS#362170681_CTBV5" title="We heard from John Glenn, a true American hero, and from other state, local, and federal officials."><img src="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-08/362170681_CTBV5-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="89" alt="We heard from John Glenn, a true American hero, and from other state, local, and federal officials." title="We heard from John Glenn, a true American hero, and from other state, local, and federal officials." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-08-30T22:24:34ZBill Blinnhttp://billblinn.smugmug.comhttp://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-08/362170681_CTBV5-Th-1.jpgSome people brought their children. The next generation. Those who will still be stuck with the debts that the Cheney administration created.<p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com">Bill Blinn</a><br />Some people brought their children. The next generation. Those who will still be stuck with the debts that the Cheney administration created.</p><p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/5838269_RE6ZS#362170765_eSMPC" title="Some people brought their children. The next generation. Those who will still be stuck with the debts that the Cheney administration created."><img src="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-09/362170765_eSMPC-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="123" alt="Some people brought their children. The next generation. Those who will still be stuck with the debts that the Cheney administration created." title="Some people brought their children. The next generation. Those who will still be stuck with the debts that the Cheney administration created." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-08-30T22:22:29ZBill Blinnhttp://billblinn.smugmug.comhttp://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-09/362170765_eSMPC-Th-1.jpgBarack Obama spoke with us and talked about his vision for the future.<p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com">Bill Blinn</a><br />Barack Obama spoke with us and talked about his vision for the future.</p><p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/5838269_RE6ZS#362170870_LgPRL" title="Barack Obama spoke with us and talked about his vision for the future."><img src="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-10/362170870_LgPRL-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="65" alt="Barack Obama spoke with us and talked about his vision for the future." title="Barack Obama spoke with us and talked about his vision for the future." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-08-30T22:23:10ZBill Blinnhttp://billblinn.smugmug.comhttp://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-10/362170870_LgPRL-Th-1.jpgWe can see a world in which hope has replaced fear.<p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com">Bill Blinn</a><br />We can see a world in which hope has replaced fear.</p><p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/5838269_RE6ZS#362170989_KLuXE" title="We can see a world in which hope has replaced fear."><img src="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-11/362170989_KLuXE-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="67" alt="We can see a world in which hope has replaced fear." title="We can see a world in which hope has replaced fear." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-08-30T22:24:56ZBill Blinnhttp://billblinn.smugmug.comhttp://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-11/362170989_KLuXE-Th-1.jpgOver Dublin, on this magic Saturday evening, there was a rainbow.<p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com">Bill Blinn</a><br />Over Dublin, on this magic Saturday evening, there was a rainbow.</p><p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/5838269_RE6ZS#362171111_sJ9Ar" title="Over Dublin, on this magic Saturday evening, there was a rainbow."><img src="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-12/362171111_sJ9Ar-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="73" alt="Over Dublin, on this magic Saturday evening, there was a rainbow." title="Over Dublin, on this magic Saturday evening, there was a rainbow." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-08-30T22:23:05ZBill Blinnhttp://billblinn.smugmug.comhttp://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-12/362171111_sJ9Ar-Th-1.jpgBesides filling the stadium, the guest stadium, and the field, the overflow crowd stretched well beyond the football field. This is what hope does!<p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com">Bill Blinn</a><br />Besides filling the stadium, the guest stadium, and the field, the overflow crowd stretched well beyond the football field. This is what hope does!</p><p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/5838269_RE6ZS#362171257_WEigY" title="Besides filling the stadium, the guest stadium, and the field, the overflow crowd stretched well beyond the football field. This is what hope does!"><img src="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-13/362171257_WEigY-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="94" alt="Besides filling the stadium, the guest stadium, and the field, the overflow crowd stretched well beyond the football field. This is what hope does!" title="Besides filling the stadium, the guest stadium, and the field, the overflow crowd stretched well beyond the football field. This is what hope does!" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-08-30T22:25:00ZBill Blinnhttp://billblinn.smugmug.comhttp://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaDublin-13/362171257_WEigY-Th-1.jpgDownload the full-size image and print it in color, or buy a bumper sticker here: The Bush Remover.<p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com">Bill Blinn</a><br />Download the full-size image and print it in color, or buy a bumper sticker here: The Bush Remover.</p><p><a href="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/5838269_RE6ZS#362473625_d7Hoh" title="Download the full-size image and print it in color, or buy a bumper sticker here: The Bush Remover."><img src="http://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaHope/362473625_d7Hoh-Th.jpg" width="150" height="50" alt="Download the full-size image and print it in color, or buy a bumper sticker here: The Bush Remover." title="Download the full-size image and print it in color, or buy a bumper sticker here: The Bush Remover." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-08-31T01:12:25ZBill Blinnhttp://billblinn.smugmug.comhttp://billblinn.smugmug.com/Politics/Barack-Obama-in-Central-Ohio/ObamaHope/362473625_d7Hoh-Th.jpg