Politirazzi

Kaine, Obama and Webb take the stage in Bristow, Va. (AP)

By Mike Thibert

On Tuesday, when Obama wrapped up the Democratic nomination, I received an e-mail from his listserv alerting me to the first rally of the general election being held about 30 miles west of D.C. in Vienna, Va. Never before had I been to a political rally, and never before had I been inspired enough to ever consider it. But here and now, it was something I was excited about, if I had the chance.

My work week was shaping up to be hectic. We were working on getting a big project out the door for Friday, and so the overtime kicked in. But Wednesday, a powerful thunderstorm blew through the area, spawning a few tornadoes, and with it, knocking out power to my place of employment.

And this paved the way, allowing me to go to my first political rally, and it was something.

A local southern rock band kicked off the festivities, covering the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Johnny Cash. Then came Gov. Tim Kaine, who proudly spoke of being the first politician outside of the state of Illinois to endorse Barack for president. The popular Sen. Jim Webb was next, who spoke to a raucous crowd chanting "V-P!", anxious to see his name appear on the ballot in November.

When Sen. Obama stepped up to the podium, he showered the two Virginian Democrats with praise. Barack mentioned the fact that not only did Sen. Webb serve in the armed forces, but his son did as well. It's not often that an American politician has sent their own children off to war, fighting in wars that they themselves have authorized.

As Gov. Kaine left the stage to attend his son's graduation ceremony, Barack took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves, signaling that it was time to get down to business.

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(AP)

By Emily Ngo

Her crowd of supporters began to file out even before Sen. Hillary Clinton finished her speech at Baruch College tonight, but they did so with smiles on their faces. They had heard what they came to hear.

“This is a long campaign, and I will be making no decisions tonight,” the New York lawmaker said, indicating she would not concede tonight.

She spoke to cheers as results from the South Dakota and Montana primaries helped rival Sen. Barack Obama to secure the Democratic nomination.

“It’s not over! We’re still in it, baby!” Shouted Marcia Suldolsky, a supporter from Manhattan. Suldolsky admitted the first couple minutes of Clinton’s speech hinted at a concession.

Clinton stressed the extended length of the primary season and her emphasis on universal health care. She even complimented Obama on his success in winning over new voters. But she exited the stage to Tom Petty’s “Won’t Back Down.”

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