RSS
Headline RSS FeedSnipers stationed throughout Mile High Stadium as Obama prepares to speak
August 28, 2008 —
Mile High Stadium is used to the “shotgun” approach used by Jay Cutler, but as Barack Obama prepared to speak Thursday night, David O. Williams noticed rifle snipers positioned above the press boxes and on top of the endzone jumbotron under the iconic Denver Bronco horse.
The snipers are part of extra security precautions taken by the Secret Service, which reportedly has spent roughly $60 million on security for the Democratic National Convention this year. The security at Mile High, Williams said, took as much as two hours to get through.
Democrats may have finally achieved true unity. After Gore’s speech a hesitant and unco-ordinated wave started. After a few fits and starts it got rolling on all three levels, a sign of finally achieving elusive party unity.
Other notes from David:
- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, bumped from the first night at the Pepsi Center, has the funny line of the night so far and gets the biggest laugh from the nearly full stadium: “John McCain may pay hundreds of dollars for his shoes, but we’ll be the ones who pay for his flipflops.”
- Richardson got the second biggest cheer and laugh (as well as a foot-pounding, a Denver Broncos tradition): “Is anyone going to miss Dick Cheney?” And the crowd roared.
- Richardson in Spanish: “We will have a president who pays attention to Mexico and Latin America.”
- Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, guest on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart Tuesday at DU, and on the short list for VP, gave an inspirational plug to Joe Biden. He also touched heavily on faith, quoting a gospel song and asked the crowd to join him in shouting out: “Move Mountain! Mountain get out of our way and the mountain will move.”
- Kaine’s best line: “Our children are left behind when an administration cares more about sound bytes than sound schools.”
- Stevie Wonder’s opening line: “I love you” (a theme echoed in other speeches during the week, including Bill Clinton’s. Wonder then had the crowd singing along as he harmonized Barack Obama’s name in his first song and dancing when he dedicated his second song to Barack and Michelle Obama – “Signed, Sealed Delivered.”
- Michael McDonald hit a reverent note with America the Beautiful.
David O. Williams is reporting from inside the Democratic National Convention at Mile High Stadium via cell phone.
1 Comment on "Snipers stationed throughout Mile High Stadium as Obama prepares to speak"
don Gabacho — August 29, 2008
Just before the convention I was wondering how many "Pell Grants" could have been funded for the price of Obama's replica 'Air Force One' and the Britney Spears crew's price for the plantation portico.
Plus "60,000,000" for the stadium's security!
Plus the 10,000,000 to retire Hillary's debt for Bill to put on his happy face!
Plus 5,000,000 for the one-day stadium rental!
Yup. I sure am glad the Democrats are on the side of poor folks!
