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Excitement and Anxiety Swirl as Chicago Prepares to Host Obama Event
New York Times ^ | November 1, 2008 | Monica Davey

Posted on 11/01/2008 4:02:30 PM PDT by Zakeet

Chicago is bracing for a gigantic crowd this week in Grant Park, the city’s iconic front yard, where Senator Barack Obama has chosen to spend election night.

As many as 70,000 people are expected to attend an event for local supporters. All available tickets were swept up days ago, and thousands of people have applied to be on a waiting list. Thousands more — maybe as many as a million people, Mayor Richard M. Daley has proudly suggested — are expected to pile into the downtown parkland and sidewalks and streets surrounding Mr. Obama’s official celebration.

“This could be a moment of history right here, and it’s high time for it,” said Patricia Cadagin, who stood last week peering through a new fence around the south end of Grant Park, one of blocks and blocks of fences erected as part of the elaborate security efforts. Ms. Cadagin, 82, who said she had voted early for Mr. Obama, will probably not be here on Tuesday night. “It’s going to be a big crowd and at night, and I’m a small woman,” she said. “Will I be here in spirit? You bet you.”

Chicago, it seems, is of two minds about this party. Many supporters in Mr. Obama’s hometown speak with pride of the potential of seeing the first African-American claim victory in a presidential campaign here on the edge of Lake Michigan, in view of their beloved skyline. Still, in hushed tones, some say they are worried about his safety in the public park and about how a huge crowd in this city, which has seen violence after events like basketball championships, might respond, win, lose or draw.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Illinois
KEYWORDS: droolbibpalooza; election; obama; party
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Grant Park was the site of clashes during the Democratic National Convention in 1968.

I agree there will probably be trouble no matter what. I also predict Chicago 1968 will look like a Sunday School Picnic compared to Chicago 2008 if Barry loses.

1 posted on 11/01/2008 4:02:31 PM PDT by Zakeet
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To: Zakeet

Missing from this great photo: Sarah’s son, who is on active duty. Also, not in the photo, three of John McCain's sons, who have have carried on the family military tradition, with Doug McCain, who served as a Navy pilot and is now out of the Navy. Jack McCain, soon to graduate from the Naval Academy. Jimmy McCain, enlisting in the Marines at the age of 17. The latter returned home safely from his seven-month tour of duty in Iraq in February 2008

2 posted on 11/01/2008 4:03:46 PM PDT by Grampa Dave (Does 0baMa0 have any friends, who are not foriegn or domestic terrorists,or religious terrorists?)
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To: Zakeet

Trouble with a capital T and that rhymes with G and that stands for go hame, nothing to see here...........


3 posted on 11/01/2008 4:04:35 PM PDT by yldstrk (My heros have always been cowboys--Reagan and Bush)
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To: Zakeet

I wouldn’t want to be in that crowd either way but if Bambi loses that is going to be one ugly scene.


4 posted on 11/01/2008 4:04:58 PM PDT by rogue yam
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To: Zakeet

This is going to be the largest gathering of racists, bigots, Communists, Marxists and freeloaders in this nation’s history.


5 posted on 11/01/2008 4:05:41 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (I'm voting for McCain/Palin so I can look my grandchildren in the eyes when I tell them I'm sorry.)
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To: Zakeet

I’d better get some popcorn, so I can sit at my home in the suburbs (that Barry hates) and watch the fun on tv.


6 posted on 11/01/2008 4:06:58 PM PDT by conservative cat (I am voting for Sarah and against Obama.)
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To: Zakeet

It will just be a waste of time. McCain will win. VOTE!


7 posted on 11/01/2008 4:10:38 PM PDT by I_hate_politicians
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To: rogue yam

Maybe the Police could do a sweep for criminals before the election is over with???????? Sure hope the National Guard is there....but....they would be burning down their own city....what the hell....let them. Clean out Chicago a little bit.


8 posted on 11/01/2008 4:13:09 PM PDT by RC2
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To: Zakeet

And Obama and friends should’ve known this. The fact they’d put people and property at risk is just further evidence of how irresponsible they are.


9 posted on 11/01/2008 4:22:15 PM PDT by A_Former_Democrat
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To: conservative cat; Zakeet
I’d better get some popcorn, so I can sit at my home in the suburbs (that Barry hates) and watch the fun on tv.

The POSER is, will the MSM continue to broadcast if it goes sour?

10 posted on 11/01/2008 4:27:16 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (The Last Boy Scout)
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To: A_Former_Democrat; All

Why haven’t I seen a post of the Kerry Supporters crying??

I have purchased a box of microwave popcorn and a pony keg of Heinekin to have for election night viewing. The meltdown we are going to witness will be historic and hilarious.


11 posted on 11/01/2008 4:27:33 PM PDT by johncocktoasten (Obama/Biden '08, in and of itself, A Bridge To Nowhere)
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To: FlingWingFlyer
This is going to be the largest gathering of racists, bigots, Communists, Marxists and freeloaders in this nation’s history.

Thanks for the visual.

: )

12 posted on 11/01/2008 4:28:44 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (The Last Boy Scout)
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To: I_hate_politicians

I’m guessing it’ll take longer for Chicago to burn down than when Mrs. O’Leery’s cow set it on fire.


13 posted on 11/01/2008 4:30:05 PM PDT by seowulf (Discipline knows no emotion and frequently runs counter to the whims of panic or elation.)
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To: UCANSEE2

I decided to stay away from the criminal elements. That would really get ugly. LOL!


14 posted on 11/01/2008 4:30:47 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (I'm voting for McCain/Palin so I can look my grandchildren in the eyes when I tell them I'm sorry.)
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To: johncocktoasten
I have purchased a box of microwave popcorn and a pony keg of Heinekin to have for election night viewing.

Better get some more beer, cause we're all coming over.

: )

15 posted on 11/01/2008 4:31:35 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (The Last Boy Scout)
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To: FlingWingFlyer

Any bets on whether the National Guard will have to be called?


16 posted on 11/01/2008 4:33:11 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (The Last Boy Scout)
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To: johncocktoasten

what’s a pony keg?


17 posted on 11/01/2008 4:34:13 PM PDT by Taffini (Mr. Pippin and Mr. Waffles do not approve)
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To: UCANSEE2

I’ll bet they’ve already been put on standby.


18 posted on 11/01/2008 4:34:46 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (I'm voting for McCain/Palin so I can look my grandchildren in the eyes when I tell them I'm sorry.)
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To: UCANSEE2

This is going to end badly.


19 posted on 11/01/2008 4:36:56 PM PDT by Raebie (~Never go down with a loaded gun~)
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To: Zakeet
Pray for rain and cold weather. Why? Less to worry about.

Mass suicide at Jonestown






20 posted on 11/01/2008 4:40:19 PM PDT by SaltyJoe (Pro Life from conception to natural death)
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