Obama, Biden Come To Germantown
PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) – President Barack Obama headlines a rally in Philadelphia on Sunday, hoping to re-ignite the type of Democratic enthusiasm that carried him to victory two years ago.
Vice President Joe Biden will join Obama in the Germantown community, where the hip-hop band the Roots will warm up the crowd.
It's the second of four large rallies designed to recapture some of the big-stage excitement that Obama created in 2008 with stirring speeches to thousands of young and first-time voters. The president spoke to more than 17,000 people last week in Madison, Wis., where many more thousands watched on screens in an overflow area.
Democrats are desperate to close the "enthusiasm gap" that may lead to huge Republican victories on Nov. 2. Obama is telling liberal-leaning voters that there's no excuse for them to stay home on Election Day.
But the president sometimes sounds wistful when noting the differences between this year and 2008.
"Sometimes I feel as if we had such a high on election night, and then there was the inauguration and Bono was singing and Beyonce," Obama said at a fundraiser in Chicago last week. "That was the start, not the finish, of the journey. And it made each of you a shareholder in the mission of rebuilding our country and reclaiming our future."
First lady Michelle Obama recently told Democratic supporters that the big-stadium events of 2008 were "very exciting, and people should know that those rallies invigorate Barack as well."
"It's time for us to re-engage that energy," said the first lady, who plans to campaign with her husband later this month.
Democratic strategists say their party must persuade thousands of discouraged voters to turn out on Nov. 2 to avert a GOP wave that could put Republicans in control of the House, and possibly the Senate.
Almost 10 hours before President Obama is scheduled to speak in Germantown, supporters formed a short line as early as 6:00 a.m. Sunday.
"I need to be out here," said Aminata Calhoun, an Obama supporter who is excited about seeing the President for the second time.
When the President arrives at the park behind Robert Fulton Elementary he'll be on a mission to reignite the type of voters who supported him in 2008 when young voters like college student Elliot Griffin, started paying more attention to politics.
"Everyone is fired up and ready to go," said Griffin. "We realize that they're a lot of people around the city that need to be told why it's so important to vote. The President needs allies in Congress."
Griffin and other volunteers spent Saturday preparing for the big rally, expected to attract thousands of Philadelphians.
Local Pennsylvania Democrat candidates like Joe Sestack who's running for Senate and Dan Onarato, who's running for Governor, are hoping to gain votes from today's event.
Residents of a Germantown neighborhood, where President Obama and Vice President Biden will be attending the "Moving Forward" rally on Sunday, prepared for the visit.
Iron fences at the Robert Fulton elementary school where the rally will take place were painted black.
Neighbors were sprucing up properties to getting ready for the presidential visit. Many residents in this area have seen hard times.
The President is expected to lay out the choices voters face in November and to support the Democratic leaders in the election.
With the president's visit Sunday afternoon, various agencies including the police, SEPTA, and the FAA are asking the public to be aware of preparations. There are travel and parking restrictions, flight restrictions for small aircraft, and increased SEPTA service.
Due to the visit by President Obama to the Germantown section of the city this afternoon, drivers can expect numerous street closures, parking restrictions, and delays in the block area of Haines Street near the Robert Fulton Elementary School.
Look for closures between Germantown and Haines Street and Rittenhouse and Haines Street.
Bayton Street will be closed between the 5700 block and the 6000 block. Also closed today is the 5800 block of Wakefield Street.
SEPTA plans to increase service on the Route 23 and 65 buses. And they've added rail cars on both the Chestnut Hill East and West trains.
The FAA reminds pilots of air restrictions over the city during the president's visit. Any pilot needing information can contact the FAA.
Reported By John McDevitt and Al Novack, KYW Newsradio, Jericka Duncan CBS 3
(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
