Obama and my mama

I’m in Evansville VISITING MY MOM [emphasis added] and WHO stops by?? That’s right…B & Chelle. You heard me – Barack Obama in the River City!! Come to Evansville and get to see the most popular person in America AND Barack Obama.

So while my mom went to play bridge, I went to Roberts Stadium to see Barack Obama (and Michelle Obama and John Mellencamp). I managed to score a seat RIGHT down front. I think it was my “I am a Superdelegate” t-shirt. I had ACTUALLY tried to score a seat in the crowd on the podium, but I guess I didn’t look “lunchbucket” enough (it’s a tough standard here in Indiana). I tell you what though, I was only ONE mullet/tattoo/ZZ-Top-goatee away from being on that stage – I KNOW it. Instead...I was the one holding the “Change We Can Believe In” sign right behind B – I’m sure you saw me.

So here are some of my keen observations from my first Obama rally:

• When you’ve just lost Pennsylvania by ten points, “Lonely Old Night” is probably NOT the John Mellencamp song you want to lead with.
• Michelle Obama is one TALL drink of water…I wonder if people always ask HER if she played basketball?
• John McCain is ALSO coming to Evansville…but I think he is going to skip Roberts Stadium and just play bridge
• At the whole event, the only OTHER candidate who had representatives recruiting in the queuing crowd was…Ron Paul. And judging by his representatives, Ron Paul clearly has the unibomber vote sewn up.
• To borrow a word…I HOPE I survive the crowd melee for free Obama signs.
• Coincidentally, Roberts Stadium is ALSO where I saw my very first concert. It's hard to imagine being more excited than I was for Huey Lewis, but Barack’s t-shirts ARE DEFINITELY better.
• Democratic primaries are the only sport that you call the winner at the beginning of the event and then spend the rest of the night calling the score. “Barack 48, Hillary 52” was a HUGE applause line. Apparently….the Pennsylvania over/under was 5.
• When you go to that Obama rally – you are GOING to want to… ummmm….. make.a.note of where you parked your car. Trust me… all.the.hope.in.the.world is not going to lead you to that Nissan at the end of the night.
• John Mellencamp is one small man with one BIG head of hair.
• Concession stands are open during political rallies. Wait.a.second, though…no beer sales?? Oh…that just makes me bitter. Cuz you know what goes GREAT with some secret service…a bunch of drunk Hoosiers. [Next time]

But I DO have to say this…there were over 15,000 people at a Democratic political rally in a state that is redder than my suntan. And it happened to be the most integrated event I have been to in a very long time. Now that….to borrow a phrase…seems like some change we can believe in. Stop the drama. Vote Obama. =)