Unity

Unity, NH

I went back and forth about whether I should go to Unity.   In NH you can be spoiled about the opportunities to attend presidential campaign events,- I had seen Obama four times last year and Hillary twice.  Today’s event was going to be a logistical nightmare to me- requiring an hour’s drive, then a bus shuttle another 20 minutes or so.  Plus, I fretted about the wait for the shuttle, how whiny my 9 and 11 year old would become, and how late would everything run?  Oh- and the forecast was for showers in the afternoon, maybe a thunderstorm.

This morning  I decided to go,  One of the only times there is any advantage to a walking disability is at this kind of function.  The Obama campaign was great- I did not have to stand in the endless line waiting to get into the busses- we were able to get right on, and once we arrived at the event, were escorted right where we needed to go. Lots of people offering assistance.

I had a friend who wanted to go solely to see whether there would be many Clinton protestors.  I think altogether, I saw  three signs reading:  “DNC RIP”,

“THE DNC CAN (heart) MY ASS”, and “Hillary- the People’s Nominee”.  That was it- a couple of anti-Obama- out of thousands of people.

What was very notable was the good spirits of everyone in attendance.  I watched some of the coverage tonight, and heard the piece where Barack says  “Yes, she rocks”- Someone had yelled “Hillary you rock”- that did not come though, nor does a lot of the background applause, whoops, and “that’s right” kind of statements.  It was a lot more interactive than you would think from watching only on TV.

By the way, we arrived at the site before 11, and they went on after 1- and it was in the upper 80’s and sunny!  I have my first big sunburn in years- (I had been worried only about the rain)  A few people required medical assistance due to fainting from the heat, and the event was very well staffed- hundreds of volunteers, and many law enforcement personnel, and of course, teams of secret service.  It went off very smoothly, – with a lot of coordination and effort which showed.

I got to sit at the edge of the barrier, first row, just to the right of the stage-  kind of behind them to the right.  I saw them at a back- right angle but pretty close in a section set aside for those needing assistance, and after it was over, I got to shake hands and speak with each of them one on one.

Hillary was very well received-  It seemed that far and away the crowd was probably previous Barack supporters, but Hillary was roundly smiled at and applauded and responded to.  I did not hear a single boo, or negative comment about her the entire day.  People seemed very appreciative and happy- that the primary season is over, that we have a great nominee, that the Bush years will soon be history, and that there is a strong possibility that democrats will regain the White House- finally.

Kathy

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Tags: Clinton, Obama, Unity