Two days later, I got back in line at the same place--ticket in hand--just after 8:00 a.m. The event was scheduled to start around noon. I met some interesting people in line and passed the time chatting with them. We got through the metal detectors and into the ornate theater a little past 11:00 a.m. and were directed to the mezzanine. I found a seat maybe 300 feet away from the podium where the president would speak, looking down on the stage.
Earlier in the day, President Obama attended a fundraiser in North Austin then had tea at Magnolia Cafe with a University of Texas student who had written him a letter about her parents getting laid off and the difficulty her family faced affording tuition. That same student introduced the president at the Paramount. Obama spoke for about thirty minutes mostly about the economy and gridlock in Washington, DC.
The president was effusive in his praise for Austin, repeating at least three times "I love this city" as he opened his speech.
He said Austin was the last place he was able to walk around without people recognizing him. When he was in Austin prior to his debate at UT with Hillary Clinton during the 2008 Democratic primary he remembered fondly walking around Town Lake on his own without security detail or people approaching him.
President Obama commented that it was good to get out of DC and that he makes a point to read ten letters selected by his staff each day from the thousands sent to him by people across the country. The stories in those letters, he said, were his story. While the economy has made progress, he warned that the economy would not succeed if "just a few are doing well."
Later in his speech, he acknowledged that he had done well but that he doesn't believe in pulling the ladder up behind him.
Noting that Democrats "aren't perfect," Obama said, "I want to assure you I'm not that partisan of a guy." His favorite president is actually a Republican--Abraham Lincoln. He attacked Republicans in Washington, however, for standing against him at every step of the way.
"The best thing you can say about congressional Republicans this year is that they haven't shut down the government," said Obama. He paused for a moment then joked, "But it's only July."
Turning to the lawsuit about to be filed against him by Speaker John Boehner and recent rumblings from Sarah Palin and others of impeachment, Obama became indignant. "Really?" he wondered out loud. "Sue me for doing my job while you don't do your job?"
He told parents the movie was not appropriate for young children then referenced a quote from Mark Wahlberg's character in "The Departed." "I'm the guy doing my job, you must be the other guy," said Obama.
He ended his speech to cheers then waded out into the first few rows to shake hands and snap photos. I was too far back to have any chance of meeting the president so I got out of the theater as fast I as could. Unsurprisingly, there were a handful of protesters outside. It wouldn't be a presidential visit without them.
The president was effusive in his praise for Austin, repeating at least three times "I love this city" as he opened his speech.
He said Austin was the last place he was able to walk around without people recognizing him. When he was in Austin prior to his debate at UT with Hillary Clinton during the 2008 Democratic primary he remembered fondly walking around Town Lake on his own without security detail or people approaching him.
President Obama commented that it was good to get out of DC and that he makes a point to read ten letters selected by his staff each day from the thousands sent to him by people across the country. The stories in those letters, he said, were his story. While the economy has made progress, he warned that the economy would not succeed if "just a few are doing well."
Later in his speech, he acknowledged that he had done well but that he doesn't believe in pulling the ladder up behind him.
Noting that Democrats "aren't perfect," Obama said, "I want to assure you I'm not that partisan of a guy." His favorite president is actually a Republican--Abraham Lincoln. He attacked Republicans in Washington, however, for standing against him at every step of the way.
"The best thing you can say about congressional Republicans this year is that they haven't shut down the government," said Obama. He paused for a moment then joked, "But it's only July."
Turning to the lawsuit about to be filed against him by Speaker John Boehner and recent rumblings from Sarah Palin and others of impeachment, Obama became indignant. "Really?" he wondered out loud. "Sue me for doing my job while you don't do your job?"
He told parents the movie was not appropriate for young children then referenced a quote from Mark Wahlberg's character in "The Departed." "I'm the guy doing my job, you must be the other guy," said Obama.
He ended his speech to cheers then waded out into the first few rows to shake hands and snap photos. I was too far back to have any chance of meeting the president so I got out of the theater as fast I as could. Unsurprisingly, there were a handful of protesters outside. It wouldn't be a presidential visit without them.
No comments:
Post a Comment