Clinton Now, Obama Later (How We Met Bill Clinton)
Bill Clinton at Lakewood High School - photo by Jesus Crisis
I'd hoped to have one blog with both videos (for easy comparison) posted yesterday - but Bill's speech alone took an hour to transfer from camera to computer, an hour to edit into a manageable size (I reduced it from 3 million kB to just over 1000 kB without cutting out any of his speech), 40 minutes to turn it into a streamable file, another hour to transcode it so that it's Flash ready, and then another 40 minutes or so to upload to my blog. That's just Bill's speech, not including the other speeches or any footage from the Obama rally site. I also had over a hundred still photos to go through and upload (I whittled them down to six). And I was fighting a bit of a cold yesterday and needing some time to simply digest the entire experience.
Since I'm running short on time, I'll post a Bill Clinton blog first, since the video is ready, followed by a blog about our Obama rally experience later today, as soon as I can.
Me and Mike, in the gym after a two-hour wait in the cold - photo by Jesus Crisis
Of course I expected to enjoy seeing Bill. He's always been on my list of people I'd like to meet. I didn't know how he'd compete with Senator Obama, who has a reputation for being quite charismatic. However, Bill's speech was impressive in two major ways: in his attention to convincing details about Hillary's experience and unique qualifications, and on a purely personal, human, inspirational level. Mike and I (and many others) had been standing for hours. And we stood through his entire forty-minute-plus speech. And yet it seemed to us like no time at all. We were energized, convinced, and left wondering how Obama would be able to compete with him. (I'll leave whether he did, in our minds, to my later blog about our Barack rally experience.) And although Bill went into a lot of specifics regarding Hillary's plans that she hasn't had the time to go into in her much shorter campaign speeches and her debate appearances, he never once became tedious. If you're looking for hope or inspiration, you'll find it in his speech. But you'll also find one heck of a fine plan.
President Clinton moves the crowd - photo by Mike Burroughs
Here is my film of President Clinton's speech at Lakewood High School. The first few minutes are shaky because I was trying to hold the camera above the head of a seven foot tall guy in front of me (and a baby cried for a minute or two at the beginning). But the baby soon fell asleep and I was able to squeeze in beside the tall guy and get much steadier.
[e-mail subscribers: please click the permalink at the bottom of your page to view this video]
Bill was impressive after the rally as well. As Hillary had done previously, Bill hung around for quite a while and made an effort to greet every person in the crowd. I had hoped to have him sign my copy of his latest book, Giving, to go with the copy of Living History Hillary autographed for me last week. While I was waiting, he talked with an elderly woman about health care for about five minutes and greeted the many high school students who were in attendance. I began to wonder if I'd ever get to him before the Secret Service whisked him away. But though they seemed determined to keep him moving, Bill seemed even more determined not to move away until everyone had a chance to meet him.
Approaching Bill - photo by Jesus Crisis
I guess by now you can figure out where this is heading. President Clinton certainly did sign my book. In fact he signed every single book, poster, magazine, picture and scrap of paper anyone in the crowd handed him. He seemed to be trying to get to us as eagerly as we were trying to get to him.
My book - photo by Jesus Crisis
I knew Mike had squeezed in ahead of me while I was trying to take pictures and get my book to Bill. And I was fairly pleased with the pictures I got. But with some tall guys between us, I didn't realize until we met back up that he and Bill had had an opportunity to spend some "quality time" together. I was flabbergasted, thrilled and proud when Mike pushed the preview button on his own camera and showed me a picture I like better than any I've taken at any of the political rallies or probably anywhere else. It might just be the coolest photograph anyone has taken of President Bill Clinton. It is to us, anyway.
Bill might have found Hillary a running mate - photo by Mike Burroughs
Please stay tuned! Later today, I will post the Barack rally blog and give you the chance to see through our eyes how it compared with seeing, hearing and meeting Bill. We left Lakewood High School that day knowing President Clinton would be a tough act to follow. But with Senator Obama's reputation for public speaking, we certainly expected him to compete. I looked forward to seeing Barack face-to-face in Parma Heights and hearing more specifics on his plans. But for that, you're going to have to wait until the next blog, which I am determined to post in time for those voting tomorrow to see and contemplate.
Thanks for dropping by!
Instead of listing links to related blogs like I did last time, I will refer you to my handy "Quicksearch" bar near the top of my blog page on the left side. Type any word or phrase into it and it will direct you to my previous blogs on whatever subject you like. Peace....
Posted by Jesus Crisis at 3/3/2008 9:31 AM 
Categories: News and Politics, Video Blogs, Election 2008
Categories: News and Politics, Video Blogs, Election 2008
BRAVO!!! THIS WAS JUST WONDERFUL. BILL COVERED MUCH MORE THAN ONE EVER SEES ON TV It was worth waiting for, John, and
I give you a ton of kudos for your persistence and energy to get this blog recorded. You really are a photo journalist in the making. lol
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Thank you, Elena. He really does cover more. That's a big reason I think it so important for people to watch this video.
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I haven't been able to watch it in it's entirety yet, but what I have seen is the highly motivational Bill Clinton that I love. When people tell me that they won't vote for Hillary because she stood by Bill after his tryst with Monica, I just think, "But look at him stand by her!" Well worth it, in my opinion. I love these people! And I'm so very happy and excited for you, John. What a wonderful time for you. Keep up the good work. This is such a feel-good blog and I love coming back every day for more! YOU ROCK!
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Thank you so much, Terese. I really appreciate your comment. I must say it was one of the most memorable days in my life.
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Good Job, John and Mike!!!! Looks like BOTH of ya may have a shot at photo-jounalism careers!!!! Keep up the good work!
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Thanks, barbie! You're right. It took me 41 years to get to this point and he's already surpassed me despite just turning 16 yesterday... lol.
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text and photos? wonderful!
will have a longer comment after i have time to watch the video.
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p.s. don't tell bill, but it looks like both of his ears are on the same side of his head. perhaps he has an extra one so he can really hear?
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Too bad Bush doesn't have one...
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i thought that was dick's job.
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LOL... no comment.
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Cool... thanks, mb!
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it was sugar and spice! i got goosebumps from watching the video. i want to go vote for her again in my primary, which, of course, i can't do, so i'll wait for november.
he covered every issue i could think of and more in that speech, and kept my ADD addled brain tuned in. since my retention isn't always great, i took some notes.
i loved how he subtly stuck it to obama at the beginning, without twisting and turning a knife and segues to hillary's experience.
i loved the comments from the woman audience member we could hear; her enthusiasm was contagious.
i loved the phrase "the most fortunate hired hand on the face of the earth".
i loved the things hillary told bill are what makes a great president.
mostly i love your own enthusiasm for the subject matter and how excited mike was to be there. what a great birthday present!
both you and mike know i think that pic he tooks with bill rocks, but the rest of the pics are almost as impressive.
and, like terese on the other blog, where are you going to be keeping those books?
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Thanks, mb! I greatly appreciate you and a few others watching the whole video (and you even took notes!). I knew 44 minutes (especially of a political speech) would be a hell of a lot to expect anyone to watch. But I couldn't bring myself to cut anything out of it. No filler, all meat - and the finest meat at that.
I took Obama's book to his rally the other night. But I'll leave you in suspense as to whether I got that one signed.
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i am so glad you didn't cut anything out. i feel a lot more informed now. it was definitely a beefy speech and tasted great.
i'm on pins and needles...
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That is so awesome that your nephew got his pic with Bill. So sorry it wasn't you. He did a darn good job getting that pic! APPALUSE, APPLAUSE to him!
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Amen... And Bill seemed to instinctively strike a MySpace pose.
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Amazing!
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Thanks, Margaret!
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What a great speaker and he makes so much sense. I could listen for hours...it sounds like such a great plan for this country..how could anyone not agree??
Obama may be alright, but I don't feel he has the experience we need, especially after the mess that Bush has made of this country. We need someone who has been there, and Hillary has been there.
If she doesn't win, I will be devastated.
This is a great video..thank you so much for posting it and sharing this awesome event with us. The photo was awesome as well.
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Thank you so much!
I, too, will be disappointed if she doesn't win.
Maybe, like you said, Obama will be just fine. I have my doubts - but I remember having similar doubts about Bill Clinton in 1992. I hope that whichever Democrat wins in 2008 will prove her or his detractors wrong.
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You write very interesting things, thanks...
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Thanks, Niki! And welcome.
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What an excellent exciting speech. I loved it and wanted him to talk more...he has so much charisma, unlike Bush, who has none.
Hillary is awesome! I hope she wins.
The photo was so cool! Nice job and thank you so very much for all your hard work and dedication and for sharing!
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Thank you, Susan! I'm happy you enjoyed it so much!
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I'm listening to this speech for the second time. I don't want to miss anything. I would love to have a transcript of this speech. Thanks again for this video!
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You're welcome, Susan!
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Does that Clinton fellow make our current president sound like a monkey or what? No offense meant to any monkeys that may be reading this.
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The first time I ever saw a monkey, I was a little kid and it was on sale in a local department store. I marveled at how it seemed to enjoy eating its own waste. President Bush seems to relish eating his own waste as well.
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John McCain? Did you know he said he's OK with a hundred more years of occupying Iraq?
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Yes... I'd give him a listen in person, as I have in countless videos. But he's far less likely to convince me than the current Democratic candidates are. And least the latter say they plan to bring the troops home soon. McCain pretty much promises he won't.
Give me a Democrat or give me Death!
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Ooh, that has a nice ring to it! LOL
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dork. can i call you a dork here? no death. stick around and fight the system from within.
that statement reminds me of this painting by david:
http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/his/CoreArt/art/resourcesb/dav_marat_2.jpg
info on the painting:
http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/his/CoreArt/art/neocl_dav_marat.html
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mwahaha...
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cool... haha. Nice experience.
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Yes, it was.... It was also the first time I've seen a president face to face. I had tickets to see Gerald Ford speak at our community college in the 80s; but since my girlfriend at the time took too long getting ready, we were late and the Secret Service wouldn't allow us to enter. And I saw John Kerry in 2004, but (obviously) he didn't win. This time, I'm playing it safe and seeing everybody... lol. Thanks, Shyloh!
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Aside from the Monica thing... I've always been impressed by Bill Clinton.
I'm glad to hear your experience was so favorable...
I'm definitely not just "leaning" anymore....
Hillary here I come....
Thanks JC.... from all of us that can't make it to a rally or who don't have an oppurtunity.
Your reports have definitely helped me to make up my mind.
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Thanks, Chris! It's been very cool to feel like a part of history in the making. If the Democrats play their cards right, they can maintain control of the White House for at least the next 16 years, make some significant progress on fighting global warming, and keep the Supreme Court from tilting to the right.
I'm trying to talk Geri into going with me to Pennsylvania before that state's primary - for another shot at seeing the candidates and covering the campaign. The closer they appear to the Ohio border, the more likely I can get her to agree... lol.
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