Because in the "crowd" was as close as I could get. It looked like a lot more folks (60k+) than were expected showed up, but then the fact that the crowd probably realized that might be the case out front meant that nobody seemed that worried about it. There were no complaints that I heard from anyone - more amazement than anything else. Remember: McCain came to Nationwide Arena last Friday - with Ahhnold no less - and pulled maybe 12k max. That's not enthusiasm we can believe in my friends, there.
Sadly, the setup on the actual statehouse grounds was immensely unfair to those outside the barrier. Press and visitor tents (all empty from what I could tell) blocked a great deal of the view to the podium, and what wasn't blocked by those was more than taken care of by large rows of porta-potties around the perimeter.
So basically, if you weren't inside the ropes or at a few limited areas of view, you could either look at the sole Jumbotron at Broad and High or you could close your eyes and imagine.
Or you could take pics of the crowd and surroundings...
I took a bunch, but these are a few of my favorites.
First, a map of what appeared to be the "line" to the event main gate (security checkpoint tent). Nothing was marked along the route that I could tell - I think volunteers were just winding it out in whatever way they could...
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This is as clear a shot as I could get of the podium. That's from across the street (75-300mm lens full out).
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Bravely defending the Obama Flag!
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We see them rollin'. We not be hatin'.. This guy drove around the perimeter a few times and waved his Bible - but the only thing the crowd did that I could tell (aside from chuckle) was start a couple of "O-bam-a" chants. Everyone probably felt sorry for him :) That, BTW, was the only McCain/Palin sign I saw.
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I take that back. These guys are on around the 8th floor balcony of a condo at Broad and High - he's got his hands over his ears - and I don't think that's an Obama button.
GET OFF MY STATEHOUSE LAWN !!!!!!
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This is basically what it looked like as far as I could see. Young, old, multi-colored, multi-cultured, multi-generational, fat, skinny, tall, short and everything imaginable in between.
You know Sarah - "REAL" America.
The first is the intersection of Broad and High (the NW corner of the SH grounds)...
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Looking the other way (South down High right in front of the SH)...
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Watching the jumbotron...
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Some random people, shirts and signs...
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"Kids want Obama to rule" (hey - maybe our children is learning!)...
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Like we've been sayin'...
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And just some random groups of more REAL Americans, also...
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Ok - that's enough. Suffice to say that it was nothing short of incredible to see that turnout the Sunday before the election. Gotta go hand door tags or something tomorrow :)