Obama in La Crosse

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Wow, that guy can talk. We got downtown at 8:30 and had to wait 45 minutes in line before the metal detectors. the line was huge. started at the corner of front st and main, then went along the river to roughly pine and front, then back, up main and a right on 2nd st. a lot of people spoke first, local politicians, grass roots organizers and then around 10:30 he came on.

the streets were packed. the fire department estimated about 15000 people. you don't really need me to tell you that he's an amazing speaker but hearing it in person is pretty moving. he lamented that he couldn't stay and have a pint at oktoberfest since he is flying back to washington to try and push through the economic rescue plan.

a lot of the speech was similar to his other ones in the past but it was still a really cool experience. but i think it is pretty cool that in the middle of the work week in the middle of the day in a town of 50,000 about a third showed up to watch him speak.

really, i just made this to show some of the pictures i took.

be sure to check out the slide show at this web address:
http://www.startribune.com/galleries/30009419.html?elr=KArks8c7PaP3E77K_3c::D3aDhUoaEaD_ec7PaP3iUiacyKUU

the second to last pic is a view of the crowd and i'm pretty much at the corner of the building on the street corner, a little to the left of the white letters "CHANGE." you totally can't see me but it shows the size of the crowd. 34 days until the election!

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Photos

OBAMA!
with cass st bridge in the background

the line
it was huge but it moved pretty well

the view in front
there were so many people, notice the secret service dudes on the sky walk?

people behind me
i couldn't really see, imagine what it was like for all of these people

the riv
the local movie theatre welcomes the senator