This past Friday, Barack Obama paid Las Vegas a visit to speak with the Culinary Workers and the National Association of Black Journalists (please read this excellent diary on Barack addressing the "black enough" question by psericks) -- and to conduct his first Town Hall in the city. I attended the Town Hall that afternoon along with 2,000 potential caucus goers who are enjoying the attention they’re getting from our Democratic candidates.
Doors opened at 3 p.m. and I got out of work and arrived there around 2:30 p.m. The Rancho High School parking lot was full and people were lined up waiting for the doors to open. As I walked towards the line, I checked out the bumper stickers on the cars and all were Barack Obama. None that I saw had the other candidates’ stickers. I mention this, because I attended an event for Elizabeth Edwards and saw stickers of the other candidates. In my opinion, this bodes well for John Edwards, because it means that others are open to hearing what his campaign has to say.
The campaign finally opened the doors to let us in from the 100 degree Las Vegas heat. Thumbs up to the kind volunteers that provided us with bottled water while we waited to get in. We entered into the high school lobby with the inviting sound of a young mariachi band. The hall was filled to capacity, with standing room only. We were then welcomed to Rancho High School by school alumni Ruben Kihuen, who’s been aggressively courted by Democratic candidates. ( Please read dopper0189’s diary on Ruben’s creative GOTV in the Latino community.) Before the introduction of the candidate, we got a break and spent time talking with others around us. The topics of conversations I had an ear to were about health care and the war. People here, like across the nation, are concerned about health care – if candidates choose to ignore it, it will be at their own peril.
To the beat of reggaeton, Barack Obama entered the room. Barack then introduced us to his family like he was introducing a basketball team – "from the University of Chicago Lab School, standing at 4 ft..." – we cheered them loud and gave them a standing ovation. He spoke for about 20 minutes and then took questions from the floor, telling us none of the questions are pre-screened. His theme throughout was to question Washington wisdom. In his opening remarks and in the questions that were raised, the Senator stressed that being experienced is not enough, but that the lessons one learns from experience are important. He contrasted himself with those with Washington experience who have led us to a wrong war and failed us in not reforming health care. He brought up the diplomacy question that was raised during the YouTube debate and explained to us that meeting with leaders without pre-conditions did not mean that he’ll invite Kim Jong-il to watch ESPN with him. Barack ended the town hall with a story about a trip he took to a small town in South Carolina ,orchestrated by a state assembly member whose endorsement he was seeking. He said 20 people were there to meet him and recalled the chant of a short councilwoman – "Fired up! Ready to go!". We all joined him in the chant as he asked us to sign the pledge cards and to caucus for him – Fired up! Ready to go!