Hillary's Town Hall in Lorain, Ohio (26 February 2008)
Senator Hillary Clinton in Lorain, Ohio [photo by Jesus Crisis]
Tuesday 26 February 2008, my wife Geri, nephew Mike and I got up very early, undeterred by the winter storm warnings in our county, and stood outside for an hour and a half to attend Hillary Clinton's Town Hall at Admiral King High School in Lorain, Ohio. Once inside, we waited nearly three more hours (doors opened at 10, the event was scheduled to begin at noon, and we ended up beginning around 12:45). But Senator Clinton, who was to debate Senator Barack Obama in nearby Cleveland that evening, though delayed through no fault of her own, was undeterred by the weather as well.
my nephew Mike and wife Geri near the front door of Admiral King High School [photo by JC]
Here is some video I shot in Lorain. It features not only Geri, Mike and me - but also an introduction by Lorain's new Mayor Tony Krasienko and the first five minutes of Hillary Clinton's speech at the Town Hall.
Unfortunately, since we were tightly packed in the bleachers, easily bumped around by the enthusiastic crowd, and seated behind the stage in a spot where the TV spotlight seemed to be aimed right at my camera lens, the video quality is not as good as I'd hoped. And because I'm used to my camera being able to hold an insane number of hours worth of video on its internal hard drive, I didn't think I needed to dump any video off of it before the event, and so I ran out of memory before the highlights of the Town Hall occurred. (I won't let that happen again!) Still, it was a fantastic experience. And I enjoyed being able to watch Hillary and the other participants with my bare eye this time, unlike in Lyndhurst when I viewed virtually the whole rally through my camera's viewfinder. I would have liked having a video record of the whole event, however.... Senator Clinton covered a few things in more detail than she did in Lyndhurst, responded well to the crowd's questions, and left me even more satisfied that I'm supporting her. Too bad she didn't have an opportunity to go into such detail in the debate later that day....
Mike and me awaiting Senator Clinton [photo by Geri]
Unfortunately, because of the spotlight shining in our direction, I didn't get any good photos of the action on stage. But I was lucky to get a few nice pictures at closer range before and after the Town Hall.
One thing I found interesting: although school was cancelled because of horrible weather (I believe we ended up with over ten inches of snow, by the time it was over), a surprisingly high number of high school students (my nephew one of them) considered it important enough to "go to school" this day anyway. I applaud them.
Some memorabilia of the day [photo by JC]
I also applaud newly inaugurated Lorain mayor Tony Krasienko for being the primary person responsible for this event happening. One of his priorities after taking office was to get the major presidential candidates to visit our area. Democratic contender Barack Obama responded to his overtures by coming to Lorain on Sunday 24 February for a private meeting with workers at National Gypsum. And of course Hillary Clinton responded by holding the Town Hall on Tuesday at Admiral King.
Senator Clinton after the rally, right before Mike got to shake her hand [photo by JC]
I failed twice to get Hillary's autograph at the rally two weeks ago in Lyndhurst. The first time a Secret Service agent moving through the crowd bumped my shoulder as I was handing her my banner, moving it out of her reach and causing her to grab and sign someone else's instead. The second time, as Hillary was exiting the room, I deferred to an elderly woman who was trying to get to her, and that woman ended up being the last person to get an autograph before the Secret Service ushered "the next President of the United States" out of the room. At that rally I settled for getting some good photos and having the chance to barely touch Hillary's shoulder (or, as I've joked, "the hem of her garment") as she turned to leave. But this time, in Lorain, I was honored to obtain her signature in my copy of her book Living History. I hadn't taken it with me the last time because I'd had no idea she would sign autographs.
Yep that's my hand and copy of her book [photo by JC]
I swear I'll never wash that book again!
All in all, it was a fun experience. I was not quite as "in awe" as I was the first time I saw Senator Clinton. But I was excited my nephew could experience it this time. I was thrilled that she autographed my book. And I appreciated that she didn't just repeat the same things she had said in Lyndhurst, but really seemed to go into greater detail about some of the issues. You could tell that much of what she talked about not only made good sense, but also came straight from her mind and heart - not just from a rehearsed script. I regret I wasn't able to get video of a lot of that because of my camera memory issues.
But I did find this four-minute video of some highlights from the Town Hall on You Tube:
It at least fills in a few of the gaps my video left out. But you really had to be there to get the whole story.
I also encourage you to read these Elyria Chronicle-Telegram articles about the Town Hall:
http://www.chroniclet.com/2008/02/26/clinton-will-be-at-admiral-king-krasienko-endorses-her
and
http://www.chroniclet.com/2008/02/27/tidbits-from-the-clinton-rally-in-lorain
To view my two blogs about Senator Clinton's inspiring rally at Brush High School earlier this month, please click the following links:
Icicles for Hillary (But She Warmed Us Up)
and
As Promised: More Hillary Rally Video and Photos
Other recent political blogs you might find interesting include:
Celebrity Lookalikes: Election 2008 Edition
John McCain says 100 years in Iraq is "fine with me"
Clinton/Obama - the Dream Team?
Wanna Be Like Osama?
Video: Dick Cheney says in 1994 that invading Iraq will lead to quagmire
Geri Mike and me at the Town Hall [photo by JC]
P.S. Despite all the excitement, I'm still a bit bummed. Why? I had the opportunity to see Barack Obama early this morning in Columbus. But with all the snow, we were unable to make the two-and-a-half- hour trip to see him. We're still hoping he'll have a public rally closer to Lorain County.
P.P.S. I'm also bummed that I missed an opportunity to see former President Bill Clinton last week. His wife's campaign sent the invitation to my Road Runner e-mail address. But I don't check that one every day - and by the time I did so, it was too late. Alas.... But all in all, it's still been one hell of a heavenly week. And I haven't even gotten to Tuesday night's Democratic debate in Cleveland! Maybe you've heard enough about that already... lol.
Posted by Jesus Crisis at 2/27/2008 11:18 PM 
Categories: News and Politics, Video Blogs, Election 2008
Categories: News and Politics, Video Blogs, Election 2008
first.
more later.
Reply to this
this is one "hella good" blog my dear. i think it might be your best one yet. all the work you put into it shows, and your passion and dedication for your subject is here for all to see.
btw, i think you scared the hella outta the girl sitting behind you at the beginning of the video. maybe she wasn't supposed to be there?
and..
p.s. i should never get up at around 4:30 and try to comment on a blog. that should read later, not latter...
Reply to this
Wow... high praise! And coming from a "hella good" blogger like you makes it even more meaningful to me. Thank you, mb!
And by the way, it does say later!
Reply to this
thank you john. i consider that high praise as well.
by jesus, it does say later! there must be a fly on the wall with secret eyes
Reply to this
This might be the first time I've been firsted on my new site.
Makes me feel kinda special!
Reply to this
if i had known that i would have yelled it, like this:
FIRST!
and you are special:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=261106515&blogID=362254884
you sir, have been pimped!
Reply to this
Wow! I was shocked when I went to read your blog a little while ago and discovered it was about my blog. Thank you very much!
Reply to this
I have a couple questions. Where will you be keeping the book? When will you and Geri be going out again? Where do family and friends find the spare key to the house (just in case of emergency)?That is all. Thank you very much.
Reply to this
LOL... I'll never tell!
Reply to this
You missed your calling. You should be either a photo journalist or a webmaster.
Reply to this
And so it shall be. Perhaps you have spoken it into existence!
Where's my copy of Wayne Dyer's The Power of Intention when I need it?
Reply to this
Great blog and thank you for taking the video's that we are not able to see because of the media. I know I appreciate it so much.
peace Lori
Reply to this
Thank you, Lori! I appreciate your kind words.
Peace,
JC
Reply to this
Wonderful blog and video JC
Reply to this
Thank you, U.S.! I appreciate you stopping by.
Reply to this
CAROLINE KENNEDY IN ELYRIA TODAY. Political powerhouse to stump for Obama
tonight. This is the headline in
The Morning Journal. Perhaps you will
take your photo journalistic talents to
this event as well? Charge your batteries if you do.
Reply to this
I'm hoping I can get all the video cleared off my camera and downloaded into my computer in time. It takes hours. 'Twould be a nice opportunity, however....
Reply to this
I don't have a digital camcorder. Mine
uses 8mm camcorder videotapes that I just take out of the camera. I have a DVD player that can record DVDs from the camcorder. But all my travels etc. are saved on the videotapes not my computer.
So I don't have to clear the video off my camcorder. But then I am a tech idiot. So nothing works well for me.
HELP NEEDED!!
Reply to this
I finally just watched the video. Sweet! I love Hillary-she gets it!!!! I actually saw her and Bill, together with the Gore's in Monroe, MI. a few years ago. Talk about awesome! I had my kids with me and they were real little, so the crowd kinda let me slide up to the stage for a close up view. It was pure magic. I love this blog!
Reply to this
Thanks for sharing your awesome experience with us, Terese! Very cool!...
Reply to this
"I saw Hillary at Whitmer High School Fieldhouse on Friday, February 22nd. She was late getting there but I was determined to see her. I still back the UFCW as I used to work for Farmer Jack and Meijer. I got a flyer in the mail stating that the UFCW was backing Obama and I called and severed my ties with them. I have been working for The Home Depot for 4 years and we have no union. I swore, if Hillary does not get the votes she needs from Ohio, I will vote for an Independent or not vote at all. I did not vote for Bush and I cannot stand what we are going through as a whole right now financially, medically, or economically."
Reply to this
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience, Kimberly. We keep getting calls from Obama, too. Thanks to my wife's union. Funny thing... I actually GAVE my phone number to Hillary's campaign and they haven't called me yet. Hmmm....
Hillary WILL get the votes she need from Ohio, I believe. I'm a little more concerned with Texas.
As far as November, I'm convinced we cannot let another Republican win the Presidency!
Reply to this
I loved this write and appreciate you sharing with us!
Reply to this
Welcome, Sandy! It's nice to see you here. Thanks....
Reply to this
....okay, so i'm trying to decide where we'll see you next....N.Y. Times???? no wait....the cover of the Rollong Stones!!!!! Great read, JC!
Reply to this
LOL... thanks, barbie! I just got back from hearing Caroline Kennedy speek about Barack Obama... and Saturday I'll be seeing former president Bill Clinton in Lakewood. Maybe if I do enough of this, someone will give me a job... lol.
Reply to this
LOL You will be a photojournalist after all. You have to start somewhere don't you?
Reply to this
See? Hillary's already begun creating jobs - with one for me.
Reply to this
i am not going to mention the miami herald again. really, i swear to you i'm not going to...
Reply to this
Now U2's song "Miami" is playing in my head.
Reply to this
living history indeed.
textbook times.
tome tones.
Reply to this
Amen
and a "women"
Reply to this
isn't that the name of a movie?
Reply to this
Now that you have a web page and about three or four my space profiles, I think you are ready to be a web master or a photo journalist. So here is a web page Marc Shepard, my son, has created for his music: www.marcshepard.net. One of his close friends is a photographer and his wife Morgan McCabe is an actress. He created this web site for them. I think Smith should also see this one. It is www.ratanddragon.com. Tony shoots pictures for newspapers so I guess you would call him a photo journalist. He takes his laptop and sends the photos that he has downloaded and they publish them. He gets paid for this from several Chicago newspapers. Morgan is a really fine actress and you will see her on this website as well. There is more:
Marc is constructing a web site for me:
www.helenshepard.com
Reply to this
Very cool! Thanks, Elena.
Reply to this
F.Y.I.
Hillary Clinton will be at The University of Toledo Student Union Monday, March 3rd @ 9:00am to speak. Unfortunately, due to work, I cannot make it. Anyone planning to go, let me know.
Reply to this
Cool! Thanks for letting us know. She was at Cleveland State University today - but I couldn't make it. I'd like to hit Toledo tomorrow. But if I do, I won't get the Bill blog done in time for the primary - and I think it's important I do so.
Reply to this
That would be too bad if you could not come to see her. I know, from seeing some of your videos, that you have had a few opportunities to see her. Toledo is a wonderful place to see. I am glad that we have had the opportunity to have her here with us a 2nd time. I do not live in Toledo but, it is right next door to me. Thanks for your comment. By the way, according to the polls, she is ahead in Ohio. And what is this thing about people getting to vote early? In Lucas County, people have had the opportunity to "Early Vote" since Saturday,
Reply to this
Mainly I felt I simply had to finish the blogs in time for the election tomorrow. I was there in spirit though.
Reply to this
Ted Danson was in Toledo today to endorse Hillary at the rally. You missed a good one! ;]
Reply to this
Go Ted! Cheers!
Reply to this