Today, 8 days from the election, Barack Obama held a rally at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh.Thanks to a great friend, and the writing I do for Pittsburgh magazine, I was able to get media credentials for the event. I brought Alex (my 17-yr-old son, for those of you who don’t know) and, to say the least, we had an extraordinary and memorable time.
An early bonus to having media credentials was using the media entrance rather than standing in the lines that wrapped around the Arena. After being checked by Secret Service we found our spots at some of the long tables set up for computers and camera gear.
I brought my camera and video camera and, as you’ll see below, the results of the still shots were fair at best. The lighting was awful because of the extra bright lights on Obama as compared to the lower ambient light around him. I felt disappointed in my lack of skill in properly using the settings on my camera until watching CNN just now–their video also looked really bad. Maybe the lighting in the new arena will be more camera friendly (or I will become a better photographer).
Speaking of CNN…on the way to the event I told Alex that I hoped to see one of my favorite reporters, Candy Crowley from CNN, who I watch each evening for her reports from the campaign trail. I did see her and have the chance to talk with her a bit, and she was very friendly. (See a photo of us below.)
Obama was introduced by Dan Rooney, owner and chairman of the Steelers, which drew chants of “Here we go, Steelers.” The roar for Obama was impressive, and he delivered the “Closing Argument” speech that he debuted earlier in the day in Canton, Ohio. The speech ends with his call to action to work hard in the coming days until the election, and reminds people to not think that the election is already won just because Obama is leading in the polls. (See final lines of the speech below.)
One highlight of the event for me was when I got my brief time near the stage. A group of local photographers were allowed to take one two-minute shift close to the stage, between Obama and the crowd. I took a some photos (again, none of them very good, unfortunately) and wanted to take a moment just to watch up close, but I was supposed to be working only.
Click here to see 26 of my best pics
Me & Alex
Me & CNN's Candy Crowley
Taken near the stage
In the crowd
The closing lines of Sen. Obama’s speech:
“Don’t believe for a second this election is over. Don’t think for a minute that power concedes. We have to work like our future depends on it in this last week, because it does. In one week, we can choose an economy that rewards work and creates new jobs and fuels prosperity from the bottom-up. In one week, we can choose to invest in health care for our families, and education for our kids, and renewable energy for our future. In one week, we can choose hope over fear, unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo. In one week, we can come together as one nation, and one people, and once more choose our better history.
That’s what’s at stake. That’s what we’re fighting for. And if in this last week, you will knock on some doors for me, and make some calls for me, and talk to your neighbors, and convince your friends; if you will stand with me, and fight with me, and give me your vote, then I promise you this – we will not just win Ohio, we will not just win this election, but together, we will change this country and we will change the world. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless America.”
