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Tickets gone for Biden rally

Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden

PHOTO: Associated Press

Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden

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If you go:

What: Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden rally

When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Where: Alico Arena, 10501 FGCU Blvd. S. in Estero

Tickets: All tickets have been given out. The arena opens at 3 p.m. Public parking is limited, but there is an overflow lot at Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway in Estero. Carpooling is encouraged.

Don’t Bring: Bags are discouraged, and signs and banners aren’t allowed. Please limit personal items.

— Forgot to get a ticket for Joe Biden’s rally in Estero this evening? Tough luck.

All tickets for the event have been given out, the Barack Obama campaign said Tuesday night.

Ticketless souls who want to hear the Democrats’ vice presidential pick can stop by Alico Arena before the program starts at 5:30 p.m., but they should know they may not get in, said Adrianne Marsh, a campaign spokeswoman. The arena, which is on the Florida Gulf Coast University campus, holds about 4,500 people.

The rally is part of Biden’s swing through Southwest Florida and comes two days after Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican pick for vice president, fired up a crowd of close to 9,000 people at Germain Arena.

Biden will also attend a Naples fundraiser hosted by developer Jack Antaramian.

The local interest in both campaigns comes at a time when thousands of vacant homes in Lee and Collier counties stand as proof of the region’s economic troubles. Biden will focus his speech on the economy’s woes and its future, according to a campaign statement, and the economy was certainly on the minds of many Democratic volunteers at Alico Arena on Tuesday.

“There’s no jobs, nothing,” said volunteer Tonya Rodreguez of Fort Myers. “It used to be that you could open the Sunday paper and see a book of jobs.”

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama will look out for the middle class, she said: “He’s going to help the normal people.”

Rodreguez and about 20 other volunteers, students and kids spent the afternoon preparing for the rally, creating signs and slogans (the campaign isn’t allowing homemade banners). As they painted with brush and finger, they cited many goals that made them support Obama, from fixing the troubled economy to restoring respect for the Constitution.

Sitting on the arena’s floor, 10-year-old Jenna Suid of Naples had this to say about the Republican ticket’s position on the environment: “McCain, he doesn’t care about global warming — and Palin, she doesn’t believe it.”

Others said they were also upset by how the Bush administration has, as they saw it, trampled the rule of law.

One was junior Brian Ford, who helped start the university’s Students for Barack Obama club over the summer, and now leads it.

“I want someone who respected the Constitution,” said Ford, who is studying political science and sociology. “I think we’ve had the most secretive administration in a while.”

Volunteer Kelly Lawrence, an English teacher at Edison Community College, cited President Bush’s wiretapping program and the administration’s secretiveness as key problems.

“Without some sort of transparency, we can’t have a democracy,” she said.

Erin Darmody, 19, said the event was the first time she’s been involved with a political campaign.

She’s concerned about where America’s energy will come from in the future, and thinks that Obama and Biden will do better solving that problem than their opponents.

“Joe Biden’s been looking at alternative fuel since forever,” she said, painting a “You go Joe!” sign in broad blue strokes.

She wasn’t voting Democratic without giving the other side a chance — she also tuned into Palin’s rally on Monday.

But parts of it just upset her.

“I don’t really like ‘Drill, baby, drill,’” Darmody said of Palin’s call for off-shore oil rigs. “I was screaming at the TV when she was saying how she wanted to drill.”

Volunteer Joanie Freeman was just happy people seem engaged in their government again: “I think this is the most important election of my 60 years.”

Comments

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Not to worry. Just show up. Word on the street is the the scalpers still have some front row seats for $3-7 depending upon how late you arrive.

#1 Posted by savethewhalz on October 7, 2008 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My guess is show up you're in. I plan to go just to see how much more money we have to waste on Amtrak.

#2 Posted by swampbuggy on October 7, 2008 at 9:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think they only printed like 5 or 6 tickets. now there all gone. but you can still go, they'll let anyone in just to try and make it look full. and if they get to many people they will move it to the McDonalds on martin Luther king blvd in Ft. Myers

#3 Posted by sunburnt on October 7, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oink if you heart Porkie Palin!

#4 Posted by greathornedlizard on October 7, 2008 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Can't wait to see ya Joe!!!

#5 Posted by YankeeFan on October 7, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Is sheriff scott going to be there for the introduction...or has he learned he lesson?

#6 Posted by rasputin on October 7, 2008 at 10:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why aren't they moving it to Germain Arena like they did for Palin ?

#7 Posted by Johnywalker on October 7, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He lied 10 times during the VP debate. You couldn't pay me to waste my time listening to his rhetoric.

#8 Posted by reality101 on October 8, 2008 at 12:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

reality101....sticks and stones! Sounds like you've made your mind up so why waste time making a silly post?

Do you really want to compare VP's? Because mines bigger than yours...LOL

#9 Posted by nobrainer on October 8, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

#10 Posted by cornandbeans on October 8, 2008 at 6:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The Lee County Sheriff Dept. will be outside picketing for Grampy McSame.

#11 Posted by 12gauge on October 8, 2008 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

#11 post by cornandbeans is very informative. (scary stuff!)
thank you!!

#12 Posted by wonderwm on October 8, 2008 at 7:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

OBAMA kicked tail last night!!!

OBAMA/BIDEN '08

#13 Posted by Lemme on October 8, 2008 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I cant belive they got rid of all 15 tickets!

#14 Posted by trehuger on October 8, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am so PROUD of Barack Obama and Joe Biden!

Obama/Biden '08

#15 Posted by Ironside on October 8, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Antaramian now seems to be the highest profile Obama supporter locally. It can't be easy for the Obama/Biden kool aid drinkers like Ironside and CTL to be aligned with the same guy who has pillaged the Southwest Florida landscape with his developments.

#16 Posted by BobbyBacala on October 8, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Darn,Darn,Darn,--I guess i'll go watch two guy's fish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#17 Posted by August8 on October 8, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Vini - go back to watching Fox News and listening to Rush - he's turning your brain into mush! You want to talk about terrorists? How about your gal Sarah who is inciting people to a point where they want to "kill" her opponents? Her neo-nazi followers are getting dangerous and she had better shut her big mouth before she becomes accomplice to a very serious crime. If she hasn't got anything of substance to say, and we all know she doesn't, then she shouldn't say anything instead of slinging around lies and innuendo and getting her crowd of fascists all worked up. You want domestic terrorists? Check out Joe Voegler, the head of the Alaskan Independent Party, in which Todd Palin was a card-carrying member. This Voegler guy is a secessionist, hates USA. Wants Alaska to secede from us. And she wants to accuse Obama of "palling around" with terrorists because he just happened to teach at the same University as Bill Ayers and they both sat on the Board of a very reputable non-profit organization in Chicago. Oh, by the way, there are millions upon millions of Muslims who are not terrorists. Are all Christians members of the KKK??? Are all Catholics pedophiles?? Use your brain if you have one.

#18 Posted by geecee827 on October 8, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BobbyBacala: pillaged SWF with his developments? I find it really hard to believe you can actually use the word pillage. Regardless if you like him or not he is responsible for the revitalization of major parts of Naples and Marco

#19 Posted by trehuger on October 8, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

When Obama first started campaigning, his big thing was getting the troups out of Iraq. This appealed to a lot of the young voters, what he failed to mention at that time is his intent is to redeploy them North to Afghanistan.

Sure his health care sounds more appealing than McCain's but we still do not know how he plans to pay for it.

#20 Posted by tonywojo on October 8, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I expect a good crowd today - I'll be there - and I'm reminded of a surprise visit of John Edwards to Atlanta in the 04 campaign. The announcement was only made the evening before via email to the local Dems - and about 300 were expected. Over 3500 showed up to hear him and luckily they were able to expand the space to accomodate everyone ( a convention center near the airport). I also was present to greet Howard Dean off his campaign plane in Atlanta at the local Fulton County airfield. Over 1000 people showed up for that and he wasn't even scheduled to speak (he did, of course). Don't worry, Repubs, there'll be a big crowd for Joe Biden. Watch it on TV and weep.

#21 Posted by progressivedem on October 8, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good article VeniVidiVici. The last paragraph summed up the article nicely.

"Obama's having been born and raised a Muslim and having left the faith to become a Christian make him neither more nor less qualified to become president of the United States. But if he was born and raised a Muslim and is now hiding that fact, this points to a major deceit, a fundamental misrepresentation about himself that has profound implications about his character and his suitability as president."

#22 Posted by coyotesfft on October 8, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

progressivedemo: please tell me you're not comparing Biden to Edwards...

#23 Posted by trehuger on October 8, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll bet Rielle Hunter was in that crowd in Atlanta waiting for her man.

#24 Posted by BobbyBacala on October 8, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Looks like Obama & Biden are going to win!!!

Might as well pack it up Lord Voldemort and Caribou Barbie. The debate last night was hysterical. McCain looked like death warmed over and was so erratic.

#25 Posted by YankeeFan on October 8, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Will he bring his 1932 TV?

Say it ain't so, Joe!

#26 Posted by chickendog on October 8, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I heard the plastic surgeon of Southwestern Florida are going to be there en mass so they can get the fee for fixing Biden's eyelift and overdose of botox.

It'll be years before he'll be able to move his forehead. Rumor has it a Florida mosquito bit his forehead and died instantly.

#27 Posted by redcarol57 on October 8, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Besides making the comments about FDR talking to Americans via TV in 1932, you forgot about how he talked about the diner he frequented that he didn't know had been out of business for almost 20 years.

God this guy is a dolt.

#28 Posted by redcarol57 on October 8, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Obama supporters, what are you all smoking?? Go on to youtube and watch all videos on Obama's lies, etc.and the real truth behind this guy. Quit listening to the media and see for yourself what this guy is made up of. And what an insult he made last night about 911. Those families of the 911 victims must be furious. I would be. George Bush received a 98% approval right after 911 and Obama wants to mock that. Where was he, with reverand Wright?

#29 Posted by j_he_she on October 8, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DId anyone see after the vice presidential debate when it was over and the cameras were still on Biden, (who just met Palin for the first time that night) was carressing her arm to the point that she shrugged it away. He's a creep and creepy old school politician who disagreed with everything Obama was for (proven facts) until he was nominated for VP. I wouldn't want this guy to run our country when Obama gets assasinated.

#30 Posted by j_he_she on October 8, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have my ticket and I can't wait to go. The debate last night proved that you better have ideas to get elected. The old days of bashing your opponent will turn people off and towards the Obama/Biden ticket.

#31 Posted by walkerer75 on October 8, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh you poor , sad Republican supporters. You've been duped for so long by these people you can't think straight. I sure hope though that when Obama/Biden are elected you will support them. I remember well your pleas to us that we support Preznit Bush. We may not have but you did and look what we ALL got from that!. I said to someone the other day that the theft of the 2000 election by Bush/Vader would be marked by history as one of the world's most catastrophic events. Haven't we all suffered enough? Vote the GOP out from Connie Mack to the President. Their policies do not work and THAT truth IS self evident.

#32 Posted by progressivedem on October 8, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

#38--progressivedem

Oh yea, you got it togrther, a community organizing, pot sturring, experience weak, tax and spend socialist vs an American hero??????

You are certifiably nuts!!!!!

#33 Posted by August8 on October 8, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Funny how last night Obama blamed the mortgage crisis on the last 8 years, when in reality Clinton was the one responsible for passing the legislation to ease up on lending criteria.

Besides the debate last night was so full of half truthes and slander is was absurd. They both look like kids in a playground, sad.

#34 Posted by trehuger on October 8, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry but I would'nt waste my time going to see a two faced Senator (biden been lieing). He's been full of you know what for the past 20 years in D.C. He should have been kicked out and put under the prison, for all of sub-prime stuff, he sided with Clinton on 10 years ago. Thats when the U.S.'s financial crisis started. Usually you don't see what a President has done in office for 6-8 years until after thay are out of office. Of course I did'nt inhale and I did not have sexual relations with that woman, just like Barry's not a muslim.

#35 Posted by CaptScotty on October 8, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Even the guy at the event selling Obama buttons is voting Republican!

#36 Posted by trehuger on October 8, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Got that right trehuger.

The Community Reinvestment Act (which Bush tried to reform - see the New York Times Article from 2003) was the brain child of the democrats (Carter and Clinton). Remember that the road to hell is paved with good intentions - because that's exactly what happened with that act that Barney Frank protected so his than lover could continue to market mortage products at Fannie.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage...

http://businessandmedia.org/printer/2...

Progressivedem - enjoy the articles.

#37 Posted by redcarol57 on October 8, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Attention Repubs; please think a little before regurgitating what you heard on right wing radio from El Rushbo, O'Really, Gallagher, Boortz and Vannity. The lenders didn't have their arms held behind their banks to make loans needing NO docs, NO verification of income or the various ARM's they offered. It's perfectly reasonable to want more Americans to own their own homes ( more motivation to work hard, have pride in your community and grow wealth from the best investment one can make - usually). Didn't W coin the phrase 'ownership society'. There's no doubt minorities and lower income whites were left on the sidelines without good access to mortgages for too long. Even today, only about 6% of loans are in foreclosure and not all of them would be considered sub-prime ( they charged an extra point or more for those, you know). I can point out many richer neighborhoods with foreclosed or short-sale homes that were not bought with risky loan products. Under Bush, real wages continued to slip, health care costs and college tuitions went up leaving less money to meet life's essentials let alone provide much disposable income. In fact, the average household has $2000 less in annual income since Bush was selected President in 2000. Besides that, Frank and Dodd can hardly be held responsible for legislation that passed or failed when they were in the minority. They held no committee chairmanships that could introduce or hold up bills relating to any of this. Repubs ran things their way until until the electorate came to it's senses in 2006 and gave us a Dem majority. Try and read your news sometime from varying sources not just parrot what you hear out of the mouths of GOP shills and charlatans.

#38 Posted by progressivedem on October 8, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

progressivedem-the legislation allowed these mortgages to be approved, otherwise never would have happened

#39 Posted by trehuger on October 9, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Progressivedemo - the article I've reguritated is from the hollowed "New York Times" no less.

#40 Posted by redcarol57 on October 9, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)



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