Obama 2012

President Obama was in town last night for a big fundraising concert at the Nokia theater in downtown L.A. This was his last local appearance before the election, so I decided to go. Ticket prices ranged from $44 to $2500. As usual, my contribution was somewhere in the middle.

About 10 days ago I received an email directing me to pickup my ticket at the Obama Victory Fund office on Wilshire Blvd., which I did. Then 3 days ago I got another email outlining what I needed to know to get into the concert. No oversized bags or unusually large cameras. Doors were opening at 2:30PM, with the first of many performers playing at 3:45PM. I was taking the train into town and so thought I’d leave around 2:30PM. But when the president’s helicopter entourage flew over the house at 1:30PM, I put on my “Obama 2012” pin and quickly headed to the train station. I did not want to be late.

A woman and her 14-year-old son followed me off the train once we got to L.A. Live. She asked if I was going to the Obama event. They had never taken the train into downtown before and needed directions. “Follow me!” I said, as we headed over to the theater.

The line to get into the Nokia literally stretched around the block: past the Conga Room and five restaurants, north on Figueroa in front of the Grammy Museum, and then around the corner and west on Olympic to Trader Vic’s. We stood with a charming young man who had come alone. Turns out he and my other companions were all campaign volunteers and so had much better seats than mine. Since this was their first big political fundraiser, I told them what to expect: lots of waiting, rewarded by a rousing speech by the president at the end.

“And keep your eyes peeled for celebrities,” I warned. In fact, we were standing directly behind Aldis Hodge, who plays my favorite character, Hardison, on the TV show Leverage. My new friends had no idea who he was, but were thrilled nonetheless, especially when passersby stopped to take their picture with him.

After waiting on line for about 30 minutes, things suddenly got crazy once we approached the theater. We were asked to remove all political buttons before walking through one of several metal detectors. All doors were open, so people scrambled to get on the shortest line. I followed Aldis and lost my friends. The lobby was a madhouse as people scurried to buy refreshments before finding their seats. My seat was in loge, so I went upstairs to call Tim.

“I stood on line behind Hardison!” I told him excitedly.

I then bought some popcorn and went in search of my seat. And not a minute too soon as the lights dimmed and a group of school kids walked on stage to sing the national anthem. They were followed by Earth, Wind and Fire, who immediately brought the audience—all 7000 of us!—to our feet.

Earth, Wind and Fire

It was a star-studded evening. Jennifer Hudson came out next and sang an extremely moving rendition of the civil rights standard “A Change is Gonna Come.” The concert had just started and I was already blinking back tears! Hudson was followed by rocker Jon Bon Jovi, who was dressed in a suit and played a short acoustic set, along with a violinist and second guitar. He's apparently been traveling with Obama, because he mentioned a long list of campaign stops he and the president had made together over the past two weeks.

Bon Jovi, looking very fine in his suit

Katy Perry was next. She made three costume changes even though she sang only four songs! But she, too, almost made me cry when she brought out another group of school kids to help her sing a mellower version of her hit song “Firework.” The young woman who was sitting next to me was ecstatic.

Katy Perry

Politicos also spoke, of course, including L.A. mayor Antonio Villaraigoso and Julián Castro, mayor of San Antonio, TX. They briefly alluded to Obama’s unfortunate debate last week against the Republican candidate and then quickly made us feel better about the president’s chances at being re-elected. Castro, in particular, did a good job of emphasizing Obama’s track record of providing equal opportunities to all Americans.

George Clooney then took the stage, grabbing even the attention of the young couple next to me, who had been talking through most of the event. He spoke about Obama’s accomplishments these past four years, before introducing singer Steve Wonder, who had us dancing in the aisles.

Clooney

Stevie Wonder

Obama then emerged to cheers and a standing ovation. He may not be a good debater, but he is a masterful speaker and had us all screaming our approval by the end. Reenergized, we all poured out onto the L.A. Live plaza afterward and headed home. It was 6:30PM.

The President

The train to Culver City was filled with Obama supporters. As we approached our destination, an older gentleman, who had gotten on two stops before, scratched his head and asked, “Did any of you go see the president downtown?”

“YES!!” we yelled in unison and then happily got off the train.

Don’t forget to vote on November 6^th! 

POTUS in CC

The President was in town yesterday—but not just any town, our own Culver City, where he stopped at Sony Studios to campaign for the 2012 election and rally supporters before heading to Brentwood for a big celebrity fundraiser. Those of us attending the Sony event were told to get there by 4PM. Although we live only a mile away, Tim, who came home early to avoid the nightmarish traffic that always surrounds the President’s visits, dropped me off at Veterans Park across the street from the studio. The parking lot was already filled. I joined a handful of people walking toward Sony.

A small contingent of protesters crowded the sidewalk outside the studio gates. Sheriffs, dressed like Desert Storm troopers, stood nearby. Across the street were gawkers who, I assumed, were waiting to catch a glimpse of the President. Five military helicopters had flown over the house about an hour before, so I suspected Obama was already safely sequestered inside.

Once past the security gate, high-rollers—who actually got to meet-and-greet the President—were directed left, while the rest of us common folk joined a long line to the right. Unlike the last Obama fundraiser I attended, this one was well organized and smooth. Lots of young professionals were on line, many of whom hugged each other or shook hands as they passed. Ahead of me was cartoonist Keith Knight, who quickly made friends with a lawyer standing next to him. I didn’t see anyone I knew, but we were all stunned and amused by an Obama look-alike who happily posed for pictures! (See the photo above.)

After waiting an hour to check-in and pass through a bank of metal-detectors, we entered sound stage 30, right next to the studio entrance. (I was hoping to see more of the Sony lot!) People queued up to buy snacks and drinks, while loud disco music boomed overhead. Having attended many of these types of events, I made a beeline toward the back of the building, where I knew Obama would be speaking. I staked my spot, about 20 feet away from the raised lectern, and didn’t move for the next three hours.

Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx was the evening’s master of ceremonies, revving the crowd with chants of “Four more years!” and the new campaign slogan, “I’m in!” Sit-com star Rashida Jones made a brief appearance, followed by the Foshay musical choir, a group of charming young people who sang “I Want to Shine Like Barack Obama Shines,” a song they wrote specially for the occasion. Next up was a Grammy-winning folksinger, whom I liked very much but whose name I never did hear. Then finally, at 7:20PM, the President emerged to a rousing ovation.

I could barely see for all the cameras being held high, but at least this time I could actually hear what he had to say. Obama was relaxed and funny—very self-deprecating about his graying hair—and everyone loved him. Noticing a woman faint in the front row, he immediately called over the medics before continuing his speech. I clapped loudest at his comments in support of education and the environment and a reduction in military spending. In all, he spoke for half-an-hour before stopping to shake hands. Not wanting to get stuck in the building while the secret service hustled him away, I zoomed toward the door as soon as he said “good night.” Everyone was buoyant.

Outside, traffic started to back-up as Culver Blvd. was temporarily closed for the President’s motorcade. I rushed to the corner and stood with a small group waiting to see Obama drive by. Sure enough, within minutes people began to cheer as the presidential limo and an endless parade of black SUVs, including a bomb squad truck, zipped by. I waved madly and screamed. I then called Tim to come pick me up.

Walking back past Veterans Park, I overheard two teenaged boys talking about what they had just experienced. One of them ran ahead when he saw a friend approaching from the other direction.

“Rick!” he yelled excitedly. “You’ll never believe who we just saw driving by. President Obama! It was so cool!”

Very cool indeed!

Obama in L.A.

A couple weeks ago, I got an email announcing that president Obama would be keynoting a fundraiser on April 19 (yesterday) for senator Barbara Boxer, who is running for reelection this year. The event was taking place at the California Science Center just south of downtown L.A.

Now, I’d seen Obama speak before at the 2005 American Library Association conference in Chicago, a year after his galvanizing speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. More than a few of my colleagues predicted then that he’d run for president in 2008.

But I, of course, hadn’t seen him speak yet as president. So I immediately bought a ticket. Tim was working, so I was on my own.

On Sunday, I got another email detailing event logistics. I was to enter the parking lot at 39th and Figueroa and then follow the crowds to the Science Center. Protesters were already demonstrating by the time I got there, but I was so intent on following the directions that I didn’t pay any attention to their shenanigans. When I emerged from the parking lot, hundreds of people were already queued up. The email had suggested “business or business casual” as appropriate attire.

“Boy, if nothing else, Democrats certainly are a handsome lot,” I thought to myself as I admired men in their pinstripe suits and several women in what looked like cocktail dresses. Obviously many of them had paid the $17,000-a-plate cost for eating dinner with the president that evening--a price tag far too rich for me, so I was way underdressed.

Although people seemed perfectly happy to wait on line, there was lots of confusion over exactly which line we should be waiting in. The man directly behind me asked if this was the V.I.P. line. Wondering if I was considered a V.I.P., I told him how much I paid for my ticket. He then showed me his, which had cost ten times more than mine. He was far more a V.I.P. than I was! I told him I’d save his place in line if he wanted to go ask someone. Turns out, we all--except former governor Gray Davis, whom we saw glad-handing folks as he bypassed everyone on his way to the head of the line--had to stand on line according to the first initial of our last names. A-L to the left and M-Z to the right. Mr. V.I.P. pointed out basketball great Elgin Baylor and his family standing toward the end of the A-L line.

After about 45 minutes, we finally approached the first rung of security. Names checked-off, we were then directed to tables where we showed our “valid government-issued I.D.s” and got our hands stamped. We then proceeded through metal detectors as our belongings were inspected and cleared. Next stop: up the stairs to the Wallis Annenberg building, where the event was being held. V.I.P.s went to the right, while the rest of us veered left. I had assumed we would be in some sort of auditorium where we’d be seated the entire time. But no. Although V.I.P.s got to sit at tables on folding chairs, the majority of us had to stand. By the time the event finally got underway, several fancy-dressed women had removed their beautiful high-heeled shoes. I may have been underdressed, but at least I was comfortable!

The venue was odd: an open hangar-like area with a small, shallow pool in the middle. The podium, which I couldn’t see at first through all the V.I.P.s, was projected onto a medium-sized screen at the front of the hall. To the right was the podium, not too far from where I stood. People were noshing on hors d’oeuvre (meatball sliders--gag!) and drinking wine (open bar), so I quickly planted myself within clear view of the microphones. After a few minutes, a man came out to address the crowd. First up: vocalist India Arie, whose voice was lovely, but inaudible. Between the horrible acoustics and people yelling, it was impossible to hear anything.

Democratic party chair Tim Kaine then introduced Barbara Boxer and the excitement really began. We cheered everything she said--even if we couldn’t hear!--but it was no secret why we were all there. Within minutes, Boxer stopped talking and suddenly Obama appeared. The crowd went wild as I held back my tears. It was wonderful just being in the room with him.

The acoustics continued to be bad, plus there was an annoying heckler who kept yelling about repealing “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” Still, we were all thrilled to be there in Obama's presence and encouraged him with our cheers. I clapped loudest when he talked about education and healthcare. (Click here for a transcript of his entire speech). I was especially pleased when he briefly mentioned the importance of science, so wrongfully maligned during the dark ages of the Bush administration.

I moved toward the door as soon as Obama started to wrap-up. Despite sore feet (“If I would have known I was going to have to stand for four hours, I would have worn comfortable shoes,” one man commented), everyone was jubilant.

“I’m happy we came,” a woman cheerfully said to her husband, “even if we couldn’t hear everything he said!”

Other people were looking forward to dinner with the president in a building nearby.

“See you there!” two lucky men yelled as they parted ways.

I zoomed to the parking lot, hoping to beat traffic.

The Inauguration

3AM

I woke up at 3AM, even though my alarm clock was set to go off an hour later. It was so early the cats didn’t even join me, so I quietly read while waiting for “Good Morning America’s” (GMA) inaugural coverage to start at 4AM.

The night Obama won the election, I promised myself I would go to Washington D.C. to attend the inauguration. But life intervened and so there I was, sitting at home, waiting for the festivities to begin.

People were already packed into the National Mall by the time GMA began. I scoured the crowds for friends I knew were there. It was cold, but looked to be a clear day. I decided that as thrilling as it would have been to actually be there, it was best to watch from my comfy couch.

5AM

Hungry, I went into the kitchen to rustle-up some breakfast. I had hoped to wake Tim to the smell of baking banana bread, but he heard the beep of the oven’s timer and quickly stumbled out of bed to see what was cooking.

“It’s 5AM! What are you doing?” he asked, rubbing his eyes.

“I’m baking a bread to eat while I watch the inauguration,” I answered matter-of-factly.

6AM

We started hearing reports that people were already congregating at L.A. Live, where Tim now works, to watch the ceremony on big-screen TVs. Worried that all the good parking spaces would be gone, Tim took off as soon as the bread got out of the oven.

7AM

Though I enjoyed the TV interviews with the Obamas’ friends, etc., I was getting antsy to see the First Family. What was Michelle (my new favorite “Most Beautiful Woman in the World!”) going to wear? How cute were Malia and Sasha going to look? (They were, of course, darling!).

Tim called to say that hundreds of people were jammed into the L.A. Live plaza. He could see the proceedings from his office window.

7:30AM

The cameras finally switched over to Blair House, where Obama family members were piling into cars to head over to a nearby church. The First Couple emerged—I loved Michelle’s lemongrass-colored ensemble!—and the race was on. After church they went to the White House to “have coffee” with the Bushes. Lots of photo ops. But the TV commentators were most abuzz over the precedent-setting gift Michelle gave to Laura: a journal and pen set so she could begin writing her memoirs.

After a short while, the vice presidential contingent exited the White House—the wives and then the husbands—and then the First Ladies appeared. The president and the president-elect were the last to enter their limousine. While the procession made its way to the Capitol, Tom Brokaw and Brian Williams speculated about what Mr. Bush and Mr. Obama were talking about, interjecting horror stories about previous presidential rivals who rode in silence because they hated each other. Everyone agreed that Bush and Obama were probably chatting quite amicably.

Meanwhile, the podium where the swearing-in ceremony was about to take place was starting to fill-up with Congressmembers and other dignitaries. Michelle arrived carrying Lincoln’s bible. Former vice presidents and their wives were introduced and took their seats, followed by former presidents and their wives. Everyone screamed and applauded for the Clintons, who looked as confident as ever.

George W. Bush then made his entrance to lukewarm applause. Apparently people on the Mall were waving and singing “Na-na-na, Na-na-na, Hey, Hey, Good-bye!” to the out-going president, but the TV microphones didn’t pick it up.

Then it was Barack Obama’s turn as he walked the long hallway to the outdoor stage. He could see the almost two million people crowded onto the National Mall and must have realized what was about to happen, because just for a moment the man, whom everyone calls Mr. Cool, seemed filled with emotion. I could only imagine what was going through his mind.

The crowd went wild as cameras showed people of all ages and colors sobbing and waving. California senator Dianne Feinstein guided the proceedings. Aretha Franklin sang “America the Beautiful” and Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma played a sobering but lovely piece arranged by John Williams. Then it was time for the swearing in. Chief justice Roberts and Obama both flubbed their lines—a bad omen, I thought, until Barack launched into his speech and took total command of the situation. He admonished the country to take responsibility for its actions and promised that we would once again become a world leader. If I were George Bush, I would have been ashamed to be so poignantly reminded of my failure.

Post-inauguration

When it was all over, I started my work day and forgot about watching the inaugural parade like I was going to do. By dinnertime, I was exhausted. I did stay awake long enough to watch the televised “Neighborhood Ball,” however, and cried when Barack and Michelle, looking like happy newlyweds, danced to Beyoncé’s version of “At Last.”

A new day had dawned.

Election Day, At Last!

Morning

Woke up at 6AM. Tim and I had already agreed that we would vote first thing in the morning, since the lines would be too long after we both returned from work. I hopped into the shower and then walked over to our polling site, a house two blocks from our home. I was the first person there; but by the time Tim joined me, the line was already to the street.

At 7AM, the owner of the house came outside and announced the polls were now open. I applauded and entered. It was a bit chaotic, but I signed in and took my ballot to the voting booth in the corner. I waved to Tim to come vote in the booth next to me. We had marked our sample ballots ahead of time, so were able to vote very quickly. Nonetheless, I almost started to cry when I opened the booklet and saw Barack Obama’s name. Regardless of the outcome, this is the single most historic election I’ve ever voted in. It is almost impossible to express the enormity of this day.

Exiting the polls, we greeted our neighbors as they waited on line. We have an Obama lawn sign in our front yard, so it’s no secret how we voted.

“What a great day!” I exclaimed, barely containing my emotions.

We then saw Nick, our next-door neighbor’s youngest son, with sample ballot in hand.

“Is this your first election?” I asked.

“Yes,” he answered.

“Congratulations!”

Just as we got home the sky, which had been rainy a few moments before, opened up to reveal patches of blue.

“Maybe it’s sign of good things to come,” Tim observed as he jumped into his car to head to work. I went inside, wondering how I’d ever be able to concentrate on anything but the election today.



Evening

If I didn’t have to teach this afternoon I would have sat in front of the TV all day waiting for the election returns. As it was, I called Tim as soon as class ended at 5PM.

“Has Obama won yet!?” I asked half-jokingly.

He hadn’t, of course. But even though the polls just closed on the east coast, Obama had already racked up 100 electoral votes. Unlike 2004, when Tim and I went to bed not knowing whether John Kerry had won or lost, this looked to be a short night. I rushed home.

Over the next couple of hours, we watched as people around the country gathered in anticipation of an Obama victory: students at Spellman College and Indiana University; African-Americans in Harlem; and thousands of supporters in Chicago’s Grant Park. Never in my 36 years of voting have I ever seen anything like it.

Then suddenly, at one minute past 8PM, NBC newsanchor Bryan Williams came on and announced the election results. Thanks to California and our neighbors to the north, Barack Obama had surpassed the 270 electoral votes needed and won the presidency! Unbridled joy erupted in Grant Park, while an emotional Tom Brokaw cried.

I, too, cried—and haven’t really stopped yet!—in relief and happiness that a new era is about to begin in America. To me, it’s more than Obama being black or even a Democrat—it’s about having a brilliant, articulate president who has captured and reengaged the imagination and hope of our nation. Sure, he has far less political experience than his opponents; still, he has already proven himself a magnificent leader and motivator of young and old alike. He listened to the people and they responded in kind. It is now our turn to do whatever we can to help him succeed as president.

Obama for President

I’ve tried not to make this blog a forum for blatantly promoting my political beliefs, but last night I became a convert and don’t care who knows it!

Still stinging from Hillary’s hard-fought defeat, I began the week rather blasé about the Democratic convention. But when Barack Obama took the stage last night as the first African-American presidential nominee in history, I started to cry and didn’t stop until well after his speech. He was brilliant, inspiring and, I dare say, just may be the most authentic candidate we’ve ever had. I am now fully committed to seeing him become president.

If George Bush accomplished nothing else during his eight years of magnificent incompetence, he at least paved the way for people to realize that now is the time for historic change. Let’s hope the rest of the country agrees and elects Barack Obama as the next president of the United States.