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Notes from the press floor

Barack Obama Coverage Live From Eugene, Oregon

By Joseph Friedrichs, 3-21-08

Seats are filling quickly in McArthur Court. Word around the facility is that the Oregon Ducks just lost in the NCAA tournament. Feels kind of strange sitting on their home court, knowing the team just went down and the season is over.

A strange a cappella singing just took the stage and were inaudible to the crowd. Boos echoed through the crowd.

Now a ten piece all girls group is singing on stage. Again, difficult to hear.

Crowd has begun chanting “We can’t hear! We can’t hear!”

UO productions better hope they can figure out the sound trouble before Obama takes the stage.

Signs are posted throughout the auditorium, they read: “Change We Believe In” “Action!” Change!” And just now a reporter from The Daily Emerald, UO’s student newspaper, almost fell asleep. Could have something to do with the horrible sound quality. Or perhaps just a lack of coffee and interest.

Sound quality seems to have improved. Two UO grads warmed up the microphone for Obama. Audio seems secure, finally.

15 minutes before Obama is set to take the stage. Although this morning he was 50 minutes late in Portland. The crowd, based on their constant chants of “O-bam-a,” seem ready.

Three UO students who are in the broadcast department are sitting behind me. They happen to be three young brunettes. They’re making a short film based on the rally. One of them just gave me a Werther’s candy. Lucky me

Eight minutes to show time, in theory. Energy is picking up in McArthur!

The state of Oregon was founded in 1859, according to a large blue sign hanging above me. I find that to be very interesting. Here’s something else I find interesting: The fact my laptop is vibrating on the table because of the music and crowd noise. Yes, the sound quality has been cured.

They’re doing the wave again! One minute to nine!

And the minutes passes. No Obama… yet.

A paper airplane thrown from the crowd just whizzed past my head and actually hit my freakin’ computer screen! Seriously people, easy on the media here.

Obama introduced as “The next Commander In Chief.” Crazy, crazy loud in here!

Obama gives his thanks to many Oregon politicians and educators. Gives his sympathy for the Ducks loss. Illinois didn’t even make the tournament this year, he says.

The Senator looks slick for it being 9:30 p.m. He’s wearing his standard black suit, dark tie and doesn’t appear weary from life on the campaign trail.

Obama begins to talk about Abe Lincoln. A young man in the crowd shouts “Lincoln is the man!” Obama pauses, then says “Lincoln is the man. Let’s give it up for Abe Lincoln.” Crowd goes ape.

In case you were wondering, the sound is crystal clear from Obama.

Obama says the change in America comes from the bottom up. He has traveled through 46 states, kissing hundreds of babies, eating hundreds of chicken tenders, here is here to report that American is ready for something new. A new chapter in history, if you will.

Next November, when America votes, the name George W. Bush will not be on the ballot, Obama says, drawing the loudest reaction of the night from the crowd.

The Oregon election is a chance to make change a reality, Obama says. A police officer with a shaved head nearby me nods his head in approval. Come to mention it, there are a lot of cops standing around. I could use another Werther’s.

I want to hear more about Western issues from Obama. So far it’s been the expected: Iraq, economy, spending domestically. What about renewable energy? How about water rights and use? What about salmon, logging, Oregon education?

Obama says he wants a head of the Environmental Agency to actually protect the environment, including Oregon rivers, oceans, forests and skies. Indeed.

The press core who have been following Obama all day, and for many months for that matter, look exhausted. How many times have they heard this speech, I wonder? From the looks of it, too many.

As expected, Obama said what the crowd in Eugene wanted to hear. He gave a great speech and nobody seems let down. I would have liked to here more about Oregon, or at the very least, issues facing the American West. In time, I hope we will. From somebody.

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