Daley Tells Everyone To Come To Obamapalooza

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Oct 30, 2008 9:10PM

Well, this is interesting. Even as the Obama campaign has limited the number of tickets and is focusing on security concerns, our benevolent mayor has invited any- and everyone down to Grant Park next Tuesday night, tickets be damned!

Now, we hate to sound like Debbie Downer. After all, it's a nice gesture for a historic night, but having been squished and jostled the entire length of Radiohead's set at Lollalpalooza back in August (the exact spot where the rally will be held), we have some concerns about security. It's going to be nuts and with that many people...

We'll let MayDay describe it in his own words.

You think I'm nuts? You think I'm not going to invite people down? This is a celebration. It's a celebration of people firmly believing in Sen. Obama's belief in making changes in Washington, D.C., which we've heard time and time again...

No way I'm going to tell people they should not come down and celebrate with Sen. Obama and his family and others. It doesn't matter who you are. If you want to come down, we're asking you to come down. This is a celebration. Let's not look at it negative about people celebrating a political victory...You work all the logistics out...This is going to be a great celebration...you can't say this is only for 65,000 … I think Sen. Obama and the campaign understands that … You cannot make it just an exclusive party for a few...

It's big enough to hold a lot of people. Remember that. We've got the streets, We've got the sidewalks. People are going to come down. They're coming down. We know that. This is something they want to do. I think Sen. Obama understands that as well.

It's not a burden! This is not a burden! Let's not say a celebration is a burden of who is going to be the next president of the United States, who hails from Chicago and his family. This is not a burden. This is an excitement. This is a celebration. We're very proud that he comes from Chicago. We're very, very proud. And this is a moment of celebration.

Image of Obamapalooza setup by Karl Klockars