Barack Obama Spends Labor Day In Detroit
In a Democratic tradition that goes all the way back to the campaign of Harry S. Truman, Senator Barack Obama made an appearance in Hart Plaza right in the heart of Detroit, MI to participate and speak at the Labor Day parade which took place there. Sarah, Mark and I had planned on attending this rally in Hart Plaza to see Sen. Obama speak but because of how late Sarah’s birthday party ran the night before (and because of my tight travel schedule) we were unable to attend. Here are a few pics of Obama in my hometown of Detroit yesterday morning:
Barack Obama cut short a Labor Day speech to an expectant, fired-up crowd at Detroit’s Hart Plaza, offering prayer instead of political punches to acknowledge concerns about Hurricane Gustav. “There is a time to argue politics, and there’s a time to come together as Americans,” he said in deference to distressed and evacuated gulf coast residents and a storm that threatened great damage but lost power as it slammed into Louisiana. In his first Detroit appearance as the Democratic presidential nominee, Obama surely disappointed many in the crowd — estimated at more than 20,000 in Hart Plaza and another 10,000 just outside along Jefferson Avenue — with less than 10 minutes of remarks, although people appeared forgiving. Many had waited hours in lines that snaked around buildings to see Obama after the annual Labor Day parade. U.S. Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan stirred their anticipation in speaking to the crowd before Obama arrived, comparing the event with John F. Kennedy’s Labor Day speech in Detroit during the presidential campaign of 1960. Obama apologized for his brevity and urged compassion and togetherness. He held a moment of silent prayer and asked for donations to the Red Cross. “I want all of us to remember that when we show solidarity with those folks in Louisiana and Mississippi and Texas and Alabama, that we are expressing the true spirit of the labor movement. Because the idea behind the labor movement is that you don’t walk alone, you’re not by yourself. “Each of us are vulnerable by ourselves. … But when we are unified, we come together in a more perfect union.” Still, Obama managed to serve up pro-labor sentiments, telling the crowd that he supports federal legislation that would make it easier for workers to unionize. In a lighter moment, he sang a few bars of Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools,” while the singer looked on from the crowd. “I’m a labor guy, I believe in the labor movement,” Obama said. “It’s important to have a president who doesn’t choke on the word union. I believe we need a Department of Labor that believes in labor.”
Never fear y’all, I am not planning on regular political coverage, I just really wanted to go to this rally and would’ve made it downtown to Hart Plaza had Sarah’s birthday fun ended at a reasonable hour ;) After the jump, check out a short video of Sen. Obama singing Chain of Fools to the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, who was in attendance at yesterday’s Detroit rally …
I must say, I think it’s very important for all y’all to get out and attend a political rally at some point during this campaign. No matter who you are supporting in the bid for the presidency, it’ll do your heart good to see and hear your candidate speak to a crowd of supporters in person. I remember going to my first rally to see then Governor Bill Clinton speak in Michigan (I think it was Sterling Heights) back in 1992 … it was one of the moments that not only inspired me to volunteer for his presidential campaign but helped me realize that I wanted to study Political Science in college. Anyways, just a thought … since I missed yesterday’s rally, I’m gonna have to make sure I attend at least one rally in the coming months.
[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]
Tags: Barack Obama, Hart Plaza
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September 2nd, 2008 at 7:46 am
I was at this rally yesterday, and Obama was fantastic! His speech, while short, was great. It was extremely crowded, and extremely hot. I got there at about 7:45 and there was already a line down past Cobo center and well onto Woodward. We got inside and the barricades were put up literally after we were admitted inside. I have no idea if the people behind us got in, but we were lucky! Senator Obama is a brilliant man and a brilliant public speaker, and will be, I’m quite sure the next President of the United States. Seeing him, even though I’m unable to vote until the next election :( was well worth the four and a half hour wait.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:58 am
Azi doesn’t even make sense… Hopefully I will have the chance to see something like this before election time!
Obama ‘08 :)
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:09 am
never apologize for any Obama posts, we love him (well I do anyway)
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:22 am
OH no, I’m not apologizing for the Obama coverage, I just don’t want to get bogged down too much in the political back and forth, you know? I deffo plan to highlight the things that are important or interest me ;)
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:29 am
Agreed Trent, I normally despise politics and I’m not even American so this shouldn’t really interest me, but Obama has my full support.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:03 am
I know I emailed you saying I would be at the Detroit event. But he made a surprise stop in Monroe (which is where I live) and luckily one of my friends got tickets somehow and I got to hear him speak without going to Detroit. I hear his Monroe speech was better than the Detroit one, so no worries for me!
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
does aretha look like she totally lost weight or what?
p.s. dont you guys think that obamas reaction to palins knocked up teenage daughter was classy? dang i like that guy.
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I like the Obama coverage as well!!! I think I’m in LURRRVVEEEE…. ; )
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:31 pm
PS– Jenn, agreed. He could have gone off about the hypocrisy and obvious failure of the right wing christian “abstinence only” sex education, but he stayed above the belt. Good for him. (I do hope that somebody in the limelight makes that argument though.)
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Barack Sexist charge, With Cnn & Msnbc
There is Proof out there I know first Hand, that Obama Campaign & Barack & Michelle Obama, them self, are making CNN & Msnbc, Thrash
Palin & Her Family,
Obama Campaign heard Quarter, emails and faxs going around, From Both Michelle & Barack,
To attack Sarah Palin on her Experience and Family Values, many sources right now confirming ties Between Cnn & Msnbc,. to the Barack Obama camp,
One Source in side Obama Head Quarters in Illinois one chief obama staffer claim that, He heard Barack telling them have Cnn & Msnbc, to thrash her and thrash her Hard, Let me worry if it Sexist or not, Msnbc & Cnn are Paid assets, and owe us, They taken care of Hillary for me, and they will Take care of Sarah Palin, Soon as Cnn & Msnbc start in on it,, the other news Network will start rolling with it to. Just like with Hillary, That was a direct Quot,
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Tammy Lynn – Please stop, you’re boring the fuck out of me.
Obama/Biden ‘08 Bitches!!!
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I am disappointed that I missed Obama in Detroit. My flight from Detroit Metro Airport to DC was at 10:20 am yesterday.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
That’s Aretha??? I was just going to ask who that random lady was.
Love the political commentary Trent. It’s nice to see a real person behind the blog :)