Hillary was here in Manassas, just a few blocks from where we live. However, being 100% Obama fans, we were in Alexandria. We got there at 10:15 am. There were already about 200 people in line in front of us. By the time they opened the doors at 12 pm, there was a line behind of over 7 blocks long (over 3000 people attended)!!! We got really good seats. I was thrilled. Here's the pictures. If you click on them, they'll get bigger.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

Oh wow, I'm jealous -- he won't be in my state until probably May. He looks really slim in your pics -- tv does add pounds. Think I see Congressman Moran in the crowd, he must have endorsed him. Hopeful for him to take Virginia, Maryland and DC on Tuesday. He won big time in Maine today. Worried about Ohio and Texas though.

Wow! I would love to see him but dont expect him around here until may either. Great pics too!

He was REALLY slim, but not in a bad way. I was sad that Michelle wasn't there - I love her. Moran was there. So was Kaine and the mayor of Alexandria. The thing that made me feel the most was when he said "I will protect you against any threat." I felt safe, not like I have in the last 8 years.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

I know -- I heard him say sometime this weekend "I'm a hope-monger"!! So has Governor Kaine endorsed him. I already have his VP picked out -- Senator Webb.

I'm gonna shut up now -- don't want to jinx anything.

I went to see him when he was in Boise. We barely made it in! He filled the Taco Bell Arena at Boise State University(seating capasity of about 12,000. There were still people outside trying to get in. They had to start the rally late just to get moniters and speakers outside for the overflow! It was great. Everyone in there was fired up. Who said there isn't any Dems in Idaho?! Way to go Idaho!

Exactly HOW is he going to protect us????????? I feel safe now-we haven't been attacked again have we???

Those are great pictures. It must have been electric to be in the same room with him! I was excited just realizing he was in the same city as me as few nights ago.

But I don't want to see him pick Jim Webb as VP -- we need Jim in the Senate. Come next November, Virginia will have TWO Democratic senators. Now, that's party time!

Ana, you must have great eyes -- I couldn't pick out Moran in the crowd -- you mean Brian, not Jim, right (I didn't realize they were brothers until recently).

ETA: It was Jim, and now I think I see him. I don't know him -- I've met Brian several times and he seems to be a great guy.

Raising Kaine:: Jim Moran Endorses Barack Obama

I can't wait to vote for Obama tomorrow! He should have 8 victories in a row by Tuesday night -- and Hillary needs to start thinking about getting out of the way.

Sorry to steal Senator Webb away from Virginia -- I like him a lot and think he would add to the ticket because of his past military experience and concern for vets and active duty personnel now that he's in the Senate . Goodness knows that's missing in the current administration.

ITA re Hillary. I'm so p'd at her. I honestly don't know if I can vote for her if she is the party nominee.

did he give his entire speech in arabic?

No, but we understood him anyway.

No, but he used big words that you might not have been able to understand - like hope, peace, and unity.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

LOL.

Obama came to our state a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to go but the thought of braving the large crowds kept me at home. Now, of course, I wish I had went.

Glad you had a great time, Nic. Thanks for all the pics.

Tammy and ana, you both have great eyes! Which pic is Jim Webb in?

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Dont go through life,
GROW through life

Real eyes...realize...real lies.

That seemed rather rude!

I don't think Senator Webb was there but Congressman Jim Moran can best be seen in pic 6 down from the top. He's sitting along the wall -- has lots of white hair. The thread drift was my fault -- I assumed the responsibility of choosing Senator Obama's running mate -- Senator Webb.

Oh duh, that's right. You did say Sen. Moran. Sorry about that.
Ahh yes, I him see now.
Thanks!

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l/ l/ l/
Dont go through life,
GROW through life

Real eyes...realize...real lies.

You mean, as opposed to calling people rude? Cause that's just so darn nice.

I guess it depends on your own perceptions. I thought it "seemed" amusing. Unlike the original comment from Pum, which to me "seemed" typically myopic and hateful.

Both Obama and Hillary were supposed to be in our area Sunday but the high winds caused them not to be able to land at the airport. We had horrible wind and fires in our area (75mph gusts and 40 mph sustained) for over a 12-hour period Sunday. We lost power yesterday and got it back this afternoon at our house. Some parts in our area aren't supposed to get power back till the end of the week. Bill Clinton spoke at Va Tech Sunday and he came back and spoke again in Roanoke tonight to make up for Hillary not showing.

Huckabee was in Lynchburg yesterday and is speaking tonight in Roanoke. Ron Paul spoke at Liberty I think on Friday. The only candidate not to show in this part of Virginia was McCain.

Still waiting to hear Obamas plans on how he is gooing to protect us from every threat?????

Possibly. But I'd rather be rude than racist. Just a quirk of mine.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

I thought for a second I had the wrong thread, but I looked and I saw that this thread was about me getting to see my candidate of choice and the pleasure I derived from that. So to me your question is a blatant attempt to negate the joy me and others who like the same candidate feel and are enjoying speaking about it. So I won't engage you further in your attempt. If you'd like to open a new thread about Barack Obama and his issues vs your candidate's, feel free.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

I see nothing wrong with asking a question..about a statement someone made in their post. I do not see why it takes the "joy" out of your post.
What does worry me is people using the label term "racist" just because some do not think Obama is the right person for President.

Edited: I am glad you were able to see him. I think alot of people were disppointed because he and others had to cancel in VA because of the weather.

I think the racist remark was in response to the post asking if Obama gave his speech in Arabic.
Could be wrong....

You know, if I saw someone post that they had seen Huckabee and were excited about that--I wouldn't bother thread crap. I may think Huckabee is Satan incarnate (on his good days), but why try to dimish the excitement and joy they had from seeing someone they like and respect....

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I think you are right about the "racist" remark being directed to another poster.

I just wish people would back up why they say something like" he makes me feel safe". Maybe presenting your reasons will change someone opinion/vote.

Don't be so defensive! I thought this was a political thread and I was asking a legitmate question in response to a posted quote. I really, sincerely wanted to know what his plan is to back up his statement. Does anyone know?

I sure hope you aren't referring to me! I have not said anything racist to my knowledge!!! I just wanted to know how Obama is going to keep us safe from every threat like the quote stated.

I'm sorry Kathy. I let that pum "person" color all my responses. You are right. I was unnecessarily defensive (and rude) . He makes me feel safe because he's willing to talk to other leaders and negotiate BEFORE leading us into senseless wars and thereby killing thousands of innocent people on both sides. There's no shame in that, imo.

again, sorry. I'm going to just put her on my ignore list.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

No. I was talking about the remark about him speaking in Arabic.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

She's right - she's always said what I want to say better than I do, lol.


I don't believe that people's minds can be changed simply b/c of a remark or two on a message board. I remember last time MC had a politics board. No one's mind was changed, just friendships.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

Why should anyone have to justify reasons for their "feelings" about a candidate. Senator Obama makes me "feel" that our country can regain its optimism and honor. I "feel" that with him as President, we can again be a country that the rest of the world admires and wants to emulate. I certainly can't answer for the original poster but I absolutely do believe that with Senator Obama as President we will be safer. I can't explain why I feel that way but I do. One thing I do know is that as a country we are no safer now then we were 7 years ago. Our country hasn't been attacked directly by terrorists but IMO that is due more to luck then the ability of the current administration to protect us. As a poster said, none of the candidates can guarantee our safety and its about time we stopped allowing the current administration to play Chicken Little with us. I'm embarrassed for us when I hear a US citizen say "doesn't bother me if the government eavesdrops on my telephone conversations or reads my emails I don't have a thing to hide". I think our ancestors would be ashamed of the cowards we have become.

BTW, "feel" free to read Senator Obama's national security plan at: Barack Obama | Change We Can Believe In | Homeland or here:Barack Obama | Change We Can Believe In |

No problem! And thank's for the answer to my question!

No one has to justify their feelings. This is board though and people are free to ask questions! I wouldn't want to base my vote for president on feelings but that's your choice. I feel safer than we were before 9/11. There was the earlier attack on the trade center, the U.S.S. Cole etc... and for 7 yrs we have been ok. That's speaks to me. I'm one of those people who doesn't care if they eavesdrop on my conversations because I have nothing to hide! Don't be embarrassed by it!! It's how I "feel" so it should be ok with you! lol Seriously though it really wouldn't bother me. Besides they would get really, really bored listening to my conversations. All I know is I'm not sufficiently educated in espionage, war tactics, intelligence etc... so I'm going to trust the government, CIA, generals, etc.. because that's really all I can do. I would trust John McCain with those types of decisions though. He has experience. (I know, I'm a FOOL to trust the government-and I sure don't completely-but it's better than being suspicious of everything.)

PS. I did read the Obama links. Thanks for posting them and he does have some good ideas. See, I'm a conservative saying an extreme left candidate has some good ideas! Top that!!! lol

I'm sure they would for yours, but some of us have conversations that aren't boring.
If I am a suspect and the government needs to listen in, they can go through the proper channels and obtain a court order. For them not to makes their actions suspect. And no, I don't completely trust this government nor do I think they should be above the law.

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Dont go through life,
GROW through life

Real eyes...realize...real lies.

I don't think you are a fool per se, but instead of trusting the government because you are ignorant in certain areas--why not get educated in those areas? And then decide who and what you want to place your trust in? I just think it's naive to put your trust in anyone or anything because you don't know any better...

Suspicious and Paranoid are two different things. Suspicisious indicates to me that a person is questioning what he doesn't understand, know or recognize. Paranoid would be thinking that there are G-men listening in on every phone call or hiding behind your neighbor's bushes taking down license plates of every car that drives by....

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I don't think I am totally ignorant in those areas just not educated enough to know deeply how everything fits together. I did go to college!! lol But I can't know everything!! And yes, I do know the difference between suspicious and paranoid.
My son has been researching whether or nor Bush condoned illegel easedropping. He said not necessarily. It can be argued both ways. This is a kid who scored a 99% on his ITED tests last fall. So I tend to trust his research and if the jury is still out on it then I'm not going to say one way or the other. These are the things I leave in the hands of the people who work in these areas-not becuase I am ignorant but because it's their job and they are trained in it.
Does McCain really think we will be in Iraq for 100 years?? Or is it just an exageration for staying in there until it's settled, etc... No one can predict that far ahead so I never took that statement literally. But I've been wrong before.....lol

I'm just using this as an example:

We attended a church that was extremely anti-Mormon. To the point of saying it was a cult and all their members needed de-programming. And they based that on the fact that the Mormons have the Book of Mormon. So me, being the person I am, asked how many of them had read the Book of Mormon. None had except the Pastor. The Pastor's wife said she didn't need to read it because people she trusted and were trained/educated in this sort of stuff, had read it and told her what it was about.
So, you had all these people, basing their opinion of a group of people because on what one person had told them.

Now, all that said--I'm the type of person who wants to base my opinions on MY thoughts, feelings and research. I don't understand the logic behind "leaving it in the hands of the people who work in these areas", "because it's their jobs and they are trained in it" when it comes to forming an opinion...

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I agree, I feel safe now, too.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Why then did the Senate just pass a bill giving retroactive immunity to AT&T and Verizon for allowing Bush access to their users? If it's not illegal, then we don't need to give them immunity do we?

I found this article regarding the bill(s). I haven't read the entire thing, but, thought someone might be interested.

Bush warns of more terrorist attacks as he pressures House to approve new surveillance law - International Herald Tribune

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

And with all of the "safeguards" and fear mongering of the last 6 years, we still have this possibility


The Advocate - NYC police use fake company to set up chlorine buy, highlighting potential terror risk

I have no idea what the ITED tests are -- is the kid a lawyer?

It's apparently a test used in Iowa for elementary and high school students. My kid took the SATs in
7th. grade and got 1100.

OMG, I'm literally laughing out loud. Sure, that's who I'd trust to tell me that what Bush did was legal. It's not.

But what the heck do I know?

I could not find the answer to this on Obama's website. (maybe, I missed it)
Does anyone know why he voted yes to the Patriot Act and then voted yes to renew it?

Edit: I did find out that he voted no on extending the Patriot Act's wiretap provision. But, I am really interested in why he still renewed the rest of it.

This is a blog link but seems to be pretty straight forward

Clinton Slams Obama for Voting "for" the PATRIOT Act at ABC-Facebook New Hampshire Debate | Threat Level from Wired.com

You are kidding me!!!! OMG! That just makes her argument even more assinine

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Thank-you for the link.
I was wrong he did not vote for the Patriot Act the first time, he was not in the Senate at the time. He did vote for the revised.