Labor Day at Milwaukee's Marcus Amphitheater

All smiles after a rousing 20-minute speech by Barack Obama

A view of the venue (and the Milwaukee skyline) at 3:00.

The event didn't start until 5:30, but we wanted to get good seats.
(We succeeded: Second row, just to the left of the stage.)

A beautiful day on which to end the summer.

A section is already filled by 3:00

This group watched the proceedings from the stage.

Another view of the early arrivals.

Filled to capacity just as things get underway.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett

Governor Jim Doyle

Senator Herb Kohl

Senator Russ Feingold

Representative Gwen Moore


THE OBAMA GALLERY

Obama, eloquent as always, gave a relatively low-key speech in light of the concerns over Hurricane Gustav and a possible replay of Katrina. He gave an historical summation of the labor movement and its continued importance to workers today. He talked about the independent spirit of the American people, but also how we come together in times of need. After offering encouragement to contribute to the Red Cross to help those displaced by the storm, he described those who face their own “quiet storms” – the loss of a job or a house – and the need for government to respond at such times.

When Obama finished his 20-minute address, he acknowledged the cheers of the audience for a few minutes and then headed straight in our direction. Surrounded by a squad of Secret Service agents, he worked the crowd building at the front of the stage, shaking every hand, including JoAnna’s and mine, that was offered to him.

“He looks you straight in the eye,” JoAnna observed as we walked back to the car. “That’s what I like about him.”

It’s a piercing, confident gaze, which revealed to me a man very much at ease with himself. I sensed a huge reservoir of inner calm behind his eyes.

Obama is truly a remarkable person.

JoAnna with Frances Huntley Cooper