Thousands of James Madison University students and local Harrisonburg residents braved frigid and windy conditions Tuesday afternoon, as they waited outside for hours to see Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on the campaign trail.
Click here for a photo gallery from the event.
An estimated 8,300, including those who had to stand, were allowed inside the Convocation Center as it was filled beyond capacity. Those still waiting outside were moved to large viewing areas with screens broadcasting a live simulcast of the event.
One student lucky enough to get in was senior political science major, William Webb.
"I've always considered myself a Republican, but I now consider myself merely a conservative." Webb said. "My feeling is the Republican Party has left me behind. As times and policies have changed, the Republican Party hasn't shifted and evolved like they probably should have. They have retreated into their own corner, fighting with fear rather than policy and maturity."
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and U.S. Senate candidate Mark Warner opened the proceedings by each voicing their support for Obama. Warner was also quick to remind attendees that he would also be on the ballot on Nov. 4. After being heartily introduced, Obama joined Warner and Kaine on stage and the trio raised their arms together.
Obama spoke for 40 minutes and gave a general overview of his plans for change if elected. He reiterated his plans for creating more jobs, his plans for an improved health care system, but perhaps his biggest ovation of the night came when he spoke on his tax plan.
After being asked for a show of hands to all of those making less than $250,000 per year, the atmosphere almost turned comical and the resounding show of hands cemented Obama's point.
"That seems to be the majority." Obama joked. "If you make under a quarter million dollars, which includes 98% of small businesses and 99.9% of plumbers you will not see your taxes increased by a single dime. Not your income taxes, your payroll taxes, your capital gains taxes, nothing."
In his conclusion, Obama spoke of his hope for better days ahead, and reminded everyone that in one week this hope can be chosen over fear.
Local resident Shirley Holland, a retired Spanish teacher and legal assistant, waited more than four hours in the cold but also made it inside.
"I think he's (Obama) just an amazing speaker." Holland said. "I like his energy, but I like his ideas for change even more. My big motivator is that I honestly think he can work together with the right and the left to bring the country together."
Tomorrow Obama will make a stop in Raleigh, N.C., and then travel to Florida where he will appear with running mate Joe Biden and former president Bill Clinton. The event in Kissimmee, Fla., will be the first time that Clinton and Obama have appeared together.
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There's an article about McCain in Rolling Stone that is interesting. The campaign seems to have veered to character rather than policies, and this is one of the few articles I've seen on McCain's character. It's very thorough, even if it does have an obvious point of view. The link is below. Anyone who finds it informative, please pass it on. Virginia could be the difference. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/23316912/makebelieve_maverick/print
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He actually said 99.9% of plumbers - not congress.
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At least McCain has a better understanding of what's going on in the world and what can and can't be done... Now if you try and pull the Palin card, who in my opinion has more experience than Obama, I will pull the Biden card right back at you... First off Biden was banned by the campaign to speak without a script and teleprompter and also made the comment that he believes Obama will suffer a direct attack within the six months, like John F. Kennedy... didn't know that I bet, look it up online it's true... At least Palin thinks McCain will survive the first six months of presidency. Also, Biden was banned by his priest because of his views on abortion... Two more things, if you think you know what Obama believes or you think he states what he believes listen to this, when you vote in the senate there are three ways to vote: yay, nay, or present... 125 of those times Obama voted present, to not show position... And finally, don't be insane and vote for Barack Hussein, vote for McCain!!!
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If Obama wins the US will fall to the deepest depths it has ever seen. Not only would he be a terrible president because he is inexperienced, but he has no understanding of our current economic state. He would spend money we don't have, raise taxes, pull out of a war that we absolutely can't pull out of, not get and of this 'change' ever taken place, and continue to lie about everything. You have to be an idiot to believe his healthcare system will work or any of these plans that he mentions that he knows will never get done. Do you really want healthcare like Canada or France has? If you know anything about it you wouldn't want it... remember the heat wave that killed more people then the terrorists attack killed on 9/11, probably not... well that was because doctors were on vacation and wouldn't return because they were being paid by the gov't anyway. What about Canada the most similar country to the US in the world, look at there healthcare.... Want an appointment? Too bad there is a 3 month waiting list. Want a transplant, haha, here's some morphine I hope your death is less painful... can we not learn anything from anyone... If you vote Obama you're a joke...
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So much hate and fear mongering, and nothing of substance on how McCain will change things for the better. Try again.
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I always wondered what kind of idiot still supports Bush. Thank you.
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I don't support Bush, but I always wondered what type of idiot supports Obama thanks
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I am curious how you think Obama will change things... because all I hear is the cliche word change when he speaks... please enlighten me, because i'm sure you can't
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I am posting as Brandon Carroll. My e-mail is sbanks06@vt.edu I love Bush/McCain and Brandon likes Obama/Biden. Brandon is more educated than me and he always owns me when we talk politics, so I wanted to make it seem like he was wrong. Obama will win and Brandon is right when he talks about our country needing a new direction!
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That is not me posting underneath Sam Banks (the man commenting as me). Obama/Biden is what we need - we need to be liked by foreign nations, give peace a chance, help the middle class, and have a leader with integrity (i.e Palin having Alaska pay for her children's travel expenses). Don't pull the ACORN crap Sam - Obama has nothing to do with them.
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Obama '08!
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Wow the anonymous guy tries to post as me... And still doesn't prove his point. Unfortunately he is right, Obama probably will win then the country will fall to s**t. But, don't worry I have already exchanged all my money for euros, considering the dollar will lose all it's value when obama is elected, and bought a plane ticket to Australia. It is surprising to me anyone is dumb enough to elect Obama as president, but unfortunately I am surrounded by a lot of unintelligent people that can't see things right in front of them. McCain may not change the world and make it perfect, but at least he won't try to change everything and screw it up forever. And as for ACORN there are far to many ties between Obama and ACORN, I'm not saying he himself is doing it, but regardless I just want a fair election, which it probably won't be. You vote for McCain our country will return to the prestigious place it once was or you vote Obama and we become a socialist nation with everyone getting paid sitting on the butts doing nothing with their lives, getting rid of everything that used to make america great... Maybe I'm crazy or my parents raised me incorrectly, but I learned that you have to work to be successful and survive, but obviously that changed.
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Obama blows. If you haven't realized that by now you are most likely mentally restarted. How do democrats always believe the things their presidential candidates say each election about what they are going to change and it NEVER happens. The just must be rather gullible and retarded, there is no other explanation. And have they also not realized when an attempt is made to fix whatever they say will be changed even more money is spent and nothing is done??? I guess not. But, nothing will change you mind anyway I mean it is just easier to say you are democrat, isn't it, I mean you can argue every point the same way. 'Well wouldn't it be nice...'. Yeah it would be, but it's not possible and hasn't worked anywhere EVER. Stop being so dumb and just vote McCain or don't vote.
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