2008 Woodie Awards
Crowds in Seattle witness poltical history in the making
Chris Carter
Issue date:
2/13/08
Section:
News
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Texas Rep. Ron Paul was the first to make the rounds stopping at the University of Washington to a crowd of 300. Paul spoke to the mostly young audience about his plans for restoration and was introduced as the "champion of the Constitution."
New York Sen. Hillary Clinton made a last minute decision prior to Saturday's caucuses to visit the Evergreen state and asked, "Are you ready to pick a president?"
Her rally at the Pier 30 event center in Seattle Thursday evening reached a reported capacity of 5000 with others waiting and listening outside. After arriving close to an hour after her scheduled time, she took the stage with an introduction from King County Executive Ron Sims, former Gov. Gary Locke and Rep. Jay Inslee.
Clinton's chief political opponent, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, arrived at his own rally held at Key Arena on Friday to a much larger crowd. Gov. Christine Gregoire, who endorsed Obama just prior to his visit, introduced him on stage, along with Seattle Mayor Greg Nikels, to over 18,000 attendees, the venues maximum capacity. Before entering Key Arena, Obama stopped outside and talked to the three thousand others who were turned away.
One of the many who were turned away was Elaine Urritia who works in Olympic College's Records and Registration office.
"I didn't know what to expect but it was worth it," said Urritia who went with her husband and two kids in hopes of seeing Obama. "He is genuinely interested in changing this country."
Arizona Sen. John McCain stopped at The Westin Hotel in Seattle only several hours after Obama's rally had ended. Those who attended the McCain rally were able to get up close and personal with the republican front-runner as they listened to his pre-caucus speech.
Although it is anyone's race even with the caucuses behind us, Washington, was in the Nation's spotlight, after having its primaries early, giving residents a chance to make a difference. And for those who made it out to the rallies, the chance to meet the next potential president.
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