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Posted (edited)

Barack Obama made a surprise visit yesterday to Bloomington on his way to Terre Haute. He dropped in at the Little 500 bike race at Armstrong Stadium and then took a walk along our main street to Nick's, a venerable Bloomington drinking institution much-loved by students, alumnis, and townies alike. I was tipped off and showed up along with several hundred other people, although the street was a mob scene anyway (world's greatest college weekend and all that). A friend of mine got some good video and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blIHPMiAZ6Y.

At the start of the video, his bus is parked between my wife's church and the restaurant that provides production support for Night Lights. I was about 20 feet away from the door at Nick's when he walked in... people were screaming and shouting exuberantly. There was so much excitement and hope and positive energy in that crowd--and most people had no idea he was coming, or didn't know until the last moment, but the town was already flooded with students and visitors for the weekend. A really incredible moment--people who've lived here a long time said they hadn't seen anything like it since the last time IU won the NCAA (and I was here the last time they did, 1987).

Jim, feel free to move to the politics section if necessary--I'm just posting it as unique footage of Obama showing up on the streets of my city. It felt like the Pope or one of the Beatles had suddenly decided to take a stroll along our Main Street. Amazing! People all over the city today were talking about it.

Edited by ghost of miles
Posted

Do they still have Strombolis at Nicks?

Can you still smoke in Bloomington bars?

Did Barak light up?

Yes, no, and no. But he sure lit up the crowd! It was an absolutely crazy day, what with everybody pouring into town for Little 5 and the fantastic weather (gone today, sadly). He really liked Nick's, evidently...good tip from somebody local on the campaign, I'd say, to have him go there.

Posted

Was Ghost wearing his "I'm Not Bitter" button?

It would've clashed with my "I don't wanna stay in Iraq for another 100 years" button. ;):P

Hmm, I see your point. :P Then again, wouldn't that 'another 100 years' button clash with your other favorite pin.........the 'I never had a problem supporting the open-ended military commitment to enforcing southern & northern No-Fly Zones after 1990' one? :g

Posted

Was Ghost wearing his "I'm Not Bitter" button?

It would've clashed with my "I don't wanna stay in Iraq for another 100 years" button. ;):P

Hmm, I see your point. :P Then again, wouldn't that 'another 100 years' button clash with your other favorite pin.........the 'I never had a problem supporting the open-ended military commitment to enforcing southern & northern No-Fly Zones after 1990' one? :g

That would be an apple button and an orange button. <_<

Posted

Was Ghost wearing his "I'm Not Bitter" button?

It would've clashed with my "I don't wanna stay in Iraq for another 100 years" button. ;):P

Hmm, I see your point. :P Then again, wouldn't that 'another 100 years' button clash with your other favorite pin.........the 'I never had a problem supporting the open-ended military commitment to enforcing southern & northern No-Fly Zones after 1990' one? :g

That would be an apple button and an orange button. <_<

:D

Chuck = da man

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