Obama, the Times & the never-ending snit fit
May 19, 2008 at 10:58 am by David Warner
OBAMA IN OREGON: Barack Obama spoke to a crowd of 65,000 on Sunday in Portland; another 15,000 couldn’t get in. How well will he pack the St. Pete Times Forum Wednesday?
(photo by Ryan Harvey)
So, among the items in the shrunken section formerly known as ‘Metro’ in the St. Pete Times was this tidbit: “Obamania, or Obamaybe Not?” — in which the writer raises the specter that “snubbed Floridians” might “stay home and sulk” rather than attend the Obama event in Tampa on Wednesday. Really? Biggest political celebrity in years, who attracted 2,000 without hardly trying last time he was in town, and now arrives with nomination in reach? Who are these “snubbed Floridians,” anyway? As far as I can tell, they’re a projection conjured up in the minds of “snubbed” St. Pete Times political reporters who haven’t been paid sufficient homage by the Obama people, and so have been harping endlessly on his failure to campaign here — whereas I suspect most voters (except for the Clinton-or-else crowd) see that both Democratic candidates have been hobbled by an impossible situation aggravated by the FL legislature and the DNC, and will gladly turn up to see either.
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May 19th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Perhaps the St. Pete Times should look across the Bay some more towards the Tampa Tribune.
Article from TBO.com today:
http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/news/story/obama-tix-may-be-running-out-in-tampa-no-word-on-resupply/
Obama Tix May Be Running Out; No Word On Resupply
Posted May 19, 2008 by William March
Updated May 19, 2008 at 12:41 PM
There apparently are still some tickets left for Barack Obama’s Tampa rally Wednesday, but they may be running out—the Hillsborough and Pinellas County Democratic parties both say they’re running out, and may not get any more.
The Obama campaign, meanwhile, is not being forthcoming about whether more tickets will be available, or how many in all it has distributed or intends to distribute.
Judging from reports from the local Democratic Party, and calls and inquiries to the Tribune, demand for the tickets appears to be high.
Mike Beiro of the Hilslborough party said the first batch of 1,000 tickets were given out by the end of the day Saturday; they got more Sunday, but those are almost gone, or may be gone by the time this is posted.
Pinellas gave out its first batch of 600 Saturday, about an equal number Monday, and is running out, a spokesman said. The campaign, facing demand that apparently has outstripped supply, apparently is considering setting up audio or video outside the St. Pete Times Forum.
The rally will be at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m., and the program will start at noon.
Locations with tickets available should be posted at http://www.fl.barackobama.com/tampa.
Among those locations are Democratic Party headquarters in Tampa at 4221 N. Himes Avenue, Ste. 100, and St. Petersburg at 2250 First Ave N.
There are other locations including Pasco, Sarasota and Manatee counties, according to the Obama campaign.
Contact the local Democratic Party or check http://www.fl.barackobama.com/tampa for more info.
May 19th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Got my ticket!!
(and I don’t feel snubbed)
May 19th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
When will he start serving the crowds loaves and fishes?
May 19th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080517/COMMENTARY/728489702/1012&template=printart
May 19th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Yes, I am often told ad nauseum how great the St. Pete Times is, but in comparison to what? Community News Publications?
May 19th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
…and by whom? Why…themselves, of course: “Florida’s Best Newspaper.”
May 20th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Ooh, if I get there early enough maybe I can touch Hussein Osama’s garments! He’s so dreamy.