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Obama coming to Indiana SATURDAY
Posted: Mar 13, 2008 in Things to do, Culture, TV and Celebrities
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Obama to hold Plainfield town hall on Saturday
By Bruce C. Smith bruce.smith@indystar.com
PLAINFIELD -- Presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign visit to Indianapolis on Saturday will include a town hall meeting in Plainfield.
Staffers for his campaign are preparing for an event in the Plainfield High School gymnasium, school Principal Scott Olinger said this morning. On Wednesday, the Democrat candidate's campaign announced that he'll make his first trip to Indiana this year before the state's May 6 primary elections.
The state's 72 delegates at stake in the party primary have gained added importance because of the close contest for the Democratic nomination between Sen. Obama and New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
"They checked with us yesterday to see if we could host a home town forum," Olinger said, referring to campaign staffers. "They said this was kind of a last-minute thing."
"And then they came to look at the facilities, and called back later to say it is a go," he said.
Details of Obama's entire trip to Indiana haven't been released yet. Olinger said he wasn't asked to keep the plans in Plainfield confidential.
The forum in Plainfield is expected to be in the afternoon Saturday.
It will be in the gym of the current Plainfield High School, 709 Stafford Road, and likely will be one of the last major events held in the facility. A new $103 million Plainfield High School is under construction and due to open for classes in August.
A crowd of about 1,500 to 2,000 can be seated in the old gym.
A few school activities will be moved to other rooms and buildings in the system to make room for the Obama event.
"What is really nice for us is that we hope to have some students involved as ambassadors and spectators," Olinger said.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for our students and teachers to experience the election process and democracy. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," the principal said.
Call Star reporter Bruce C. Smith at (317) 444-2803.
So... I'm not really sure if it's open to the public or not...
Of course it's open to the public...that's the whole point of a town hall meeting. I may go check it out, although he's just going to give the same speech he's given at every other town hall meeting he's done this year.
well, by OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, i guess i meant: "do the students get priority and then if they have tickets left, Everyone can access?"... the tickets are already all gone........ i got one though. you had to register online.
rictor: you might be surprised at how many town hall meetings aren't really open, particularly during primaries. The goal is to attract an audience that is receptive to the candidate's positions and personality AND to persuade them to vote for the candidate. The goal is not necessarily to have a dialogue with a whole community.
heard a rumor of a second stop........ confirm rumor and locale, please.
The only way the rumor would be true is if the democrat party selection race gets tighter. For once Indiana might have an effect on the party nominee. Usually its already decided by the time it gets to us. But this time their race is getting close. With McCains win in the bag, and Obama and Clinton battling it out, he has to pull all the stops and visit 2 if necessary, but like I said it would have to be really close for him to spend his precious campaign dollars.
I am not commenting on whether or not it's "open to the public" because I'm sure it is not. It's open to a select group...those with invites that can bring others with similar beliefs. I am glad for your opportunity. You get to sit comfortably and potentially ask questions to our potential history-making president. That's pretty awesome.
No tickets left in case there were people looking for them..
Info below taken from IBJ Daily Email which was sourced from Fox 59: No tickets left for Obama visit No more tickets are available for Barack Obama's visit to the Indianapolis area. Free tickets for his Saturday stop in Plainfield were taken in fewer than 90 minutes yesterday. The Democratic presidential candidate plans to answer questions in a 2:30 p.m. town hall meeting at the Plainfield High School gymnasium. Fox 59 will have more at 10 p.m.
Hey! I like the graphic of Obama. Mybe he'll end up on a postage stamp even if he doesn't, but especially if he does win the election.