Hundreds of people slept all night in line for tickets to Obama's town hall tomorrow

[impik]

RACINE - Hundreds of people stood, sat and slept in line Tuesday morning for tickets to see President Obama Wednesday at his town hall meeting.

Around 250 people were waiting at 6:45 a.m. By 10 a.m., when the line first started to move, there were about 850 people in line. People toward the back of the line feared they would not get tickets.

But the mood early in the morning at Festival Hall, 5 Fifth St., was mostly quiet and calm as some in line munched on McDonald's breakfast while they waited and others slept on camp beds. The line wound around the outside of Festival Hall and down the sidewalk along the lakeshore.

Alecia Byrd of Racine, 42, was the first to arrive in line at 10:30 p.m. Monday.

"President Obama himself motivated me to come," Byrd said. "I want to hear what he has to say on the economy."


Tickets for President Obama's town hall meeting are free, but first come first serve. White House officials announced 1000 tickets were available, although anger radiated from the crowd when people heard two tickets would be allowed each person in line.

"We've been here since 7 a.m. and there's been 20 people since 9 a.m. just walking up and blending in with the crowd in front of us," said Pat Kosterman, 53, a Racine resident who was laid off two years ago. "The cops aren't doing anything. They should have given us numbers to hold while we're in line."

City of Racine police arrived around 7:30 a.m. to deal with a parking issue and ended up having to break up some pushing and shoving that occurred when the line started doubling up at the 200 person mark, said Sgt. Steve Herold.

The ticket distribution process started at 10:05 a.m. and was over two hours later at noon. White House officials working with police let around twenty people into Festival Hall at a time to get tickets. People cheered and chanted as they were let in to Festival Hall.

While officials warned those in the still lengthy line around 11:30 a.m. that few tickets were left, many remained in line until the last people were let in at 12:05 p.m.

Cindy Hensley, 42, of Racine, who arrived around 7:15 a.m. was just about to enter the building when officials cut off the line, although fortunately Nathan Jacek, of Racine, gave Hensley his extra ticket because several people had skipped her.

"I was going to be OK with it," Hensley said. "I was going to go home, but this is great."


http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_abcd6cf8-837b-11df-b3ff-001cc4c002e0.html

[treestar]

1. They probably had to bus people in to attend Chimpy speeches!

:rofl:

[arcane1]

2. There's no "probably" about it! n/t

[arcadian]

3. No they didn' t. people camped out overnight for tickets to those too

[countingbluecars]

5. I certainly don't remember that happening. n/t

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[countingbluecars]

7. It is sad.

I would think Democrats would be happy that this president remains popular with the people.

[dionysus]

8. it really pains you to see the man is loved by many, doesn't it?

:nopity:

[Politicalboi]

10. Is there a link?

I would love to see it.

[dionysus]

11. i googled "people camp out to see bush speak". the top results;

Bushisms - Funny George Bush Quotes Updated Frequently

Cindy Sheehan Sets Up "Camp OUT NOW" in Antiwar Protest

President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address | The White House

Bush Breaks Silence, Goes After Obama In Speech

Video from all-night Palin booksigning campout in Dublin

Former First Lady Laura Bush Speaks from the Heart - Greta Van ...

Bachmann fears 'politically correct re-education camps for young ...

Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: The Family: The Real Story of the ...
Kitty Kelley speaks out about the real George W Bush and how he snorted cocaine ... a stuggling alcoholic, a guy who was still using cocaine at Camp David while

[Uzybone]

12. BS

[Starbucks Anarchist]

13. Wrong again:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/2004-08-09-ask-bush_x.htm

The national Bush campaign staff works through a local Republican office to assemble an audience of 1,000 to 2,500 people, depending on the site. The party offers registered party volunteers two tickets — and says more are available if volunteers want to bring open-minded friends.

[arcadian]

16. I actually saw people camped out at Bush events

But then again, I DO get out of the house.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

22. Were they next to the unicorns?

[arcadian]

25. I've actually been to several Presidential events.

Have you?

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MarthaM]

18. Nobody in Racine camped out to get tickets to see Bush

When he was here in '04, tickets went to loyal Republicans and their friends. There were no lines, because the party's bigwigs just passed out the tickets to those they wanted to be in the crowd.

[Mickeyc1004]

21. That is what I remember

The Bush Administration would never give tickets to just anyone. They would always filter attendance because a lot of people hated Bush.

[uponit7771]

37. wow

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

4. BUT, BUT, BUT... the media pundits told us that everyone hates Obama!! n/t

[IOKIYAL]

9. He's Still Got It

please remember these moments when anyone from the Left or Right claim Obama has lost his whatever.

[Phx_Dem]

14. He's plummeting! He's lost America!

Or maybe not.

[stevenleser]

15. K&R

:-)

[ladjf]

17. Americans are hungary for good leadership but have no idea

about how to obtain it. (I don't know the answer to that problem either.)

[Mickeyc1004]

19. I love Obama but...

I don't think I'd wait in line all night. I might in 2012. Who knows :)? I don't want to miss the chance to see Obama speak before he is out of office.

I also hope to see Obama's second inauguration when he is hopefully re-elected.

[jenmito]

20. Does anyone know what time it will be held tomorrow?

TIA. :)

[MarthaM]

27. Scheduled for 1:15 pm but you know how that goes. n/t

[jenmito]

29. Thanks!

:hi:

[MarthaM]

23. Local radio station WRJN just reported that hundreds more were turned away

and that the Tea Party plans to protest outside the event.

[depakid]

24. Who's to say WHY they want the tickets

Some people make assumptions that just crack me up.

[uponit7771]

39. wow

[rug]

26. Might as well if there's no work Wednesday.

[Clio the Leo]

28. We're overdue for a town hall .... should be fun. nt

[Cha]

30. Interesting..in Feingold's home state. nt

[live love laugh]

31. I used to work in Racine. Interesting place. nt

[SunsetDreams]

32. K&R

[flyarm]

34. thousands stood in line all night for the new IPhone too..does that make them smart? or dedicaded

or what??

I call it stupid...while I sleep on myy comfort bed..and beauty rest matress..

we could do a commerical??

I remember people sleeping in lines for Beanie Babies..and cabbage patch dolls...so what??????some people just love abusing themselves!

And why wouldn't the local dem party be giving out the tickets to loyal dems like they do in most parts of the country..no lines needed..?? Just asking..

Are there Jobs in Racine?..maybe we all should go there looking for jobs..since so many want to stand in line during a work week..ya think??????

[WI_DEM]

35. Racine has the second highest unemployment rate here in WI and people want answers

they want to give the president a benefit of the doubt and as a whole lots of people do like him, but they really are looking for the recovery to be sustainable and begin creating jobs.

[glowing]

36. I woul stand in line to.

I would love to be called on to ask a question. He's normally pretty honest and u can tell when he hedges. Also, it's good for him to touch base. Then he can listen to others that aren't aids

[uponit7771]

38. The bashers will harp on the hundreds being turned away

[earth mom]

40. I see this as people wanting answers and solutions. Will it be televised?

Or is that too much to ask because it may reveal too much?

[jenmito]

42. It WAS televised. And they treated him like a rock star...

sorry to disappoint you. :eyes:

[Mickeyc1004]

41. People may very well just want to hear Obama speak

As I would. Many would love to see their president in person and Obama is still well loved. The truth is no one really knows what those people in line are thinking.


The great thing about Obama unlike Bush is the Obama administration doesn't filter attendance.

The whole purpose of the townhouse is to hear concerns and ideas.