Obama Rally in Austin

It was almost exactly one year ago on a cool, misty February afternoon that I first had the opportunity of seeing Barack Obama in person. There were over 20,000 of us there that day, and we were fired up and ready to go back then, but it wasn’t our time yet. We had to channel our enthusiasm into the grassroots campaign effort and wait for our turn. And now, all eyes are upon Texas. It is our turn to show our support for the Democratic candidate who had the audacity to show up in the heart of the red state of Texas long before any other candidate showed any interest at all.

I have supported Obama since he announced his candidacy in Illinois last year. I knew at once that he was the leader I had been looking for. Someone who is both wise and compassionate. Someone who can see past, or over, the din and churn of the current state of American politics into the heart of the American people. Barack looked into our hearts on that day last year in Austin. He looked into our eager and hopeful eyes and he saw what he was looking for; an awakened electorate. An electorate ready for his message of active, positive engagement in the future of our country. Driven by our passion for a more fair and just America, and a desire to regain our stature in the world as a leader for freedom, and human rights.

Now is our time Texas. Let’s show America and the rest of the world that there is more to us here in Texas than Exxon, Halliburton, Rick Perry and the Bush family. Obama is showing us the way to take back our state and country from the powerful interests that have held it in a stranglehold for decades.

Vote now! Vote for positive change. Yes we can!!

Obama 08!

Below is a short ‘summary’ video of the rally. As I was watching it I noticed that there were several places where Ron and I appear in the background as they are interviewing volunteers during the rally setup. This is a nice little video that captures the highlights of the day, and the positive energy that the large, diverse crowd generated in response to this inspiring candidate.

Although there were intermittent showers the entire day, it did not seem to dampen anyone’s spirits. The day started out with music from Ed Jurdi & the Wednesday Night Supper Club, followed by Cyril Neville & Tribe 13. Obama’s appearance was preceeded by a rousing performance by a group of stompers, which got the crowd sufficiently energized for the long awaited speech. And the speech did not disappoint. I was extremely glad to hear the Senator spend time speaking about New Orleans, and the work that still remains to be done there, as well as the relationship between povery, oppression, and civil war and terrorism. Obama understands that the main reason that civil strife and terrorism exist is due to the hopelessness of empoverished and oppressed people, and that the solution to these problems is NOT A MILITARY solution, it is a social, political, and humanitarian solution. (Download the Brookings Institution Dec 2006 paper discussing the relationship between poverty and civil war.)

Below are some of the pictures we took at the rally.

Obama Banner at Austin Rally

Cyril Neville and Co at Obama Austin Rally

Cyril Neville and Co at Obama Austin Rally

Stompers at Obama Rally

Stompers at Obama Rally

Obama Speaking at Austin Rally

Obama Speaking at Austin Rally

Obama Speaking at Austin Rally

Click here to see a slideshow of all of the photos we took at the rally.

If you are interested in attending the Austin Rally for Obama click here to sign up.

February 23rd, 2007
Auditorium Shores, on Riverside and South 1st, on the south bank of Town Lake
Gates Open at 12:30pm

For more information and updates on directions, parking, bus routes, and the outstanding musicians volunteering their talents for this event, please visit www.TexansForObama.com.

Click here to see the Obama Austin Rally Invitation video.