What a great Labor Day in Detroit

[Royal Oak Rog]

The labor parade was back like it was the 60's and Barack had well over 50,000, I'd say 75,000 people down there. It was electric. I stood in line to get into Hart Plaza for over two hours and loved every minute of it. I also got to shake James Hoffa's hand. When I saw him coming from the parade into the Plaza on Jefferson I yelled "Hey look there's Jimmy Hoffa", the lady standing next to me thought I meant Sr. and thought I was nuts until I explained to her, no his son".

Stood on a patch in back of the stage about 10 to 15 yards in back of Obama. Aretha Franklin came right by us before he spoke and took a seat on stage. Man, she looked like she was ailing, but still the "Queen of Soul" in Detroit on Labor Day I was geeked. Before Barack started his talk he looked over to Aretha and started singing "Chain of Fools" to her.

It was a short speech no longer than 5-10 minutes, and he asked the crowd to support the people on the Gulf Coast in the hurricane. I don't care how the press plays this down this was quite an impressive spectacle. Obama's volunteers go through the crowd as they wait and make sure anyone who's not registered to vote has that chance, even yelling that "if you are a felon, you still have the right to vote as long as you are free".

It was a great day in Detroit.

[Festivito]

1. Thanks. Ended up missing it. Saw in on TV. Looked great.

Some people waited a long time -- from early moring -- to see him speak. It looked like a great party on a beautiful day. Short speech and all.

[SharonRB]

2. I was very disappointed.

I've been to two much better events. We couldn't hear a thing -- there weren't enough speakers. Tons of people couldn't even get close to getting in. Hart Plaza was a lousy venue.

[Royal Oak Rog]

3. I thought the sound system sucked

also. But as far as the history link to JFK and having the democratic nominee speaking to Detroit at the end of a Labor Day parade you couldn't beat it. Could it have been better inside an auditorium? Well sure, but then you don't get 50-75,000 potential voters. You have to admit the atmosphere was electric. I didn't see the parade as I was standing in line, how was that? But for me Jimmy Hoffa, Aretha Franklin and Barack Obama on labor day in Detroit was one I'll never forget.

[Royal Oak Rog]

4. I thought the sound system sucked

also. But as far as the history link to JFK and having the democratic nominee speaking to Detroit at the end of a Labor Day parade you couldn't beat it. Could it have been better inside an auditorium? Well sure, but then you don't get 50-75,000 potential voters. You have to admit the atmosphere was electric. I didn't see the parade as I was standing in line, how was that? But for me Jimmy Hoffa, Aretha Franklin and Barack Obama on labor day in Detroit was one I'll never forget.

[Royal Oak Rog]

5. I thought the sound system sucked

also. But as far as the history link to JFK and having the democratic nominee speaking to Detroit at the end of a Labor Day parade you couldn't beat it. Could it have been better inside an auditorium? Well sure, but then you don't get 50-75,000 potential voters. You have to admit the atmosphere was electric. I didn't see the parade as I was standing in line, how was that? But for me Jimmy Hoffa, Aretha Franklin and Barack Obama on labor day in Detroit was one I'll never forget.

[Royal Oak Rog]

6. Hey Sharon

I didn't mean to repeat that post, but somthings going haywire with the forum or my computer, sorry!

[SharonRB]

7. DU's having problems

Just saw Skinner's post about it.

There were that many people downtown, probably way more, but how many actually got into Hart Plaza. And, of those who got in, how many could actually hear anything that was said on the stage? I know we couldn't hear a word.

[Scarlett17]

8. I don't want to sound negative, but I was disappointed, too.

Not in Obama or his speech, but in the organization--or lack thereof--of the event. We got down there around 8am only to find that the People Mover wasn't running (even though freep.com had been recommending that as a way to the area). We walked in and got in line at Griswold & Jefferson. We spent the next 3+ hours winding our way back and forth on Jefferson, around the Pontch, and finally to within 100 feet of the security at the entrance to Hart Plaza. At that point, the entire line just disintegrated into a chaotic mass of people going in every direction. We never got into Hart Plaza and were left to try find a spot on Jefferson where we could hear the speech from the few speakers that were available. Unfortunately, it was very difficult to hear Obama over the morons yelling into their cell phones. :mad: What a mess. The event at the Joe was so much better. There was a huge turnout there, too, but the security and crowd control was much more efficient and organized. As much as I want to see Obama every time he comes to town, I don't think I'll go again if it's at Hart Plaza.

[SharonRB]

9. I'm with you, Scarlett

Very bad venue.

The funny thing is that I volunteered at the Joe Louis event and thought that one was disorganized. Now that I look back, though, I think it was the organization of the volunteers that was disorganized, but that getting the people in and seated went pretty well. This was a nightmare!

[Scarlett17]

10. You guys did a great job at the Joe.

Thank you!

:hi:

[SharonRB]

11. You're welcome!

[PassingFair]

12. You WOULD have to "go negative"!

:)

:hi:

[butterfly77]

13. I guess I will have to add to the chorus..

I was lined up around the freeway then as I got to the entrance the parade showed up and it became very confusing I was inside and near the crowd that was close to Obama but, we couldn't get a picture we couldn't even see Obama but we could hear singing chain of fools. I wish I had went to the cobo hall event but I changed my mind at the last minute..

[Scarlett17]

14. I can't help it. . .

I'm catching "negative" from this broad I work with.

Signed,
Brock