Opinion: Obama’s speech already is drawing hordes to Invesco Field
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It may be about six hours away, but hordes of reporters, camera crews and fervent Democrats are streaming into Denver’s Invesco Field at Mile High for tonight’s speech by presidential nominee Barack Obama.
A long line at one main gate already had formed by early afternoon outside the towering football stadium that is the home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos, as various entertainers and pols completed their rehearsals and sound checks inside.
Stevie Wonder ran through several songs, including ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’ backed by a crew of gospel-style backup singers. Sheryl Crow wailed out a rendition of her hit, ‘Every Day is a Winding Road.’ Also clearing her pipes for the evening was ‘American Idol’ competitor and ‘Dream Girls’ star Jennifer Hudson, while Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson lurked nearby. Perhaps contemplating a giant tumbling run after Obama’s speech, as fireworks light the Denver sky?!
Al Gore gripped and grinned for photos at center stage, a round terraced platform of blue carpet that will be reserved only for the former vice president and for Obama. Lesser lights will deliver their remarks from podiums to the right and left of center stage.
And just how ostentatious do those faux Greek columns at the back of the stage (much mocked by Republicans this week) appear in person? Not very.
They are surrounded by American flags and jumbo television screens and promise to become even more obscure when night falls here. The GOP had suggested Obama was planning some sort of toga party. Dems countered that they modeled the set after John McCain’s ‘seventh mansion.’
Now that everybody is getting along, let the games begin!
-- James Rainey
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