« Election Central Morning Roundup | Home | Breaking: McCain Campaign "Concedes" That Obama Is Patriotic »

Dems Make It Official: Obama Acceptance Speech Will Take Place In Stadium

It's official: The Democratic convention's organizing committee has just sent out a press release confirming that Barack Obama will be giving his acceptance speech in Denver at Invesco Field, a football stadium that holds 76,000 people, instead of the official convention hall at the Pepsi Center.

Obama previously spoke to a rally of about this size in the run-up to the Oregon primary, so there's no doubt he could fill the stadium for his acceptance speech. The size of the event will also spotlight just how wide his support is, with a crowd size that is nearly unheard of in American politics.

But what if it rains? We're checking to see whether the stadium has a dome -- more on this in a sec.

Full press release after the jump.

DEMOCRATS THROW OPEN DOORS OF CONVENTION
OBAMA TO ACCEPT PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION ON
CLOSING NIGHT OF 2008 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION
IN FRONT OF A CROWD OF MORE THAN 75,000

Final Day of Convention Program to Move to Denver's INVESCO Field at Mile High

DENVER - Breaking the mold of traditional political Conventions, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) today announced that Senator Barack Obama will accept the Democratic nomination for President of the United States at Denver's INVESCO Field at Mile High. INVESCO Field can accommodate more than 75,000 people and will be the site of the 2008 Democratic Convention's final day of programming on Thursday, August 28, 2008.

"The Democratic Party is nominating a true change candidate this August, and it is only fitting that we make some big changes in how we put on the Convention," said Governor Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). "Senator Obama's candidacy has generated an enormous amount of excitement and interest, not only in the Democratic Party but also in the 2008 Convention. By bringing the last night of the Convention out to the people, we will be able to showcase Barack Obama's positive, people-centered vision for our country in a big way."

"Barack Obama's campaign for change has inspired millions of Americans and brought people into the political process who might never have been involved," said Convention Co-Chair Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. "This change in the Convention program will allow thousands of first-time participants a chance to take part. I can't think of a better Convention finale for our nominee who has made reaching out to voters a hallmark of his campaign."

"When we said we wanted to 'bring down the walls,' open up this Convention like never before and truly speak to the American people, we meant it," said Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. "On August 28, we will offer grassroots Democrats, who have turned out in record numbers this year, the opportunity to witness history shoulder to shoulder with thousands of Americans standing up for the change our country desperately needs."

"Senator Obama and the DNCC have truly brought the community into the Convention," said Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. "This decision will enable thousands of residents from Colorado, the Rocky Mountain West and across the nation to witness history first hand. What a way to fire up our grassroots activists as we head into the fall campaign."

Primetime Convention activities Monday, August 25 through Wednesday, August 27 will continue to be held at the Pepsi Center. The final day of the Convention on Thursday, August 28, including the nomination acceptance speech of Senator Barack Obama, will be held at INVESCO Field at Mile High, also located in downtown Denver. Daytime Convention events, including meetings of the Democratic caucuses and councils will continue to be held at the Colorado Convention Center.

The DNCC announced today that a special block of "Community" credentials will be reserved for Colorado residents for Thursday night's program at INVESCO Field. Details about how to sign up and receive a "Community Credential" for the last night of the Convention will be released in the coming weeks.

"This is the type of Convention people will want to experience together with family, friends and neighbors, and we hope this move enables thousands of Americans to come together, experience history and put Senator Obama on the path to victory in November," Daughtry added.


52 Comments

| Leave a comment

BUT WHAT IF IT RAINS?!?!?!

user-pic

THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS FOR RAIN!!!

What if all of a sudden, the sky opens up and heavenly choirs sing.

user-pic

Then Obama looses the Wicked Witch vote.

If it rains, it will be even more memorable, in that over 70,000 people will brave the weather in order to see Obama speak, amidst pouring rain and swirling clouds.

Ever seen video of U2's concert at Black Rocks, when it's raining?! Or what about that picture that Clinton supporters love of her speaking in the rain?!

Clearly, rain is a dramatic setting that would likely only add to the significance of the speech, so long as Obama doesn't shy away from it.

its Red Rocks not Black Rocks. I lived in Denver for many years and it rains every summer afternoon for about 10 minutes at around 4pm then the sky clears until the next day. should be no worries.

Invesco does not have a dome.

If it rains people will deal. They'll hand out ponchos and people will be fine. Seriously. One of the best football games I've ever been to was during a storm.

A sea of red, white, and blue ponchos would look pretty sweet, actually.

Isn't there a plan to use the arena right next to Invesco if there is rain?

The "Arena right next to Invesco" is the Pepsi Center. You know, where all the other Convention events will be held.

If it rains, 76,000 people will get wet while screaming, stamping, shouting and cheering for Barack Obama. That is all.

I doubt that there are very many people who will beg off the defining political speech of the century so far, because they might get wet. If you're inclined to go to this, you will go.

I *am* a touch worried about a thunderstorm, though. :)

So...how would one who lives outside of Colorado and has no "inside connections" go about getting a ticket for the Thursday night event?

Probably eBay.

Knew there was a good reason to move to Colorado...

user-pic

Someone can check with the Elias Sports Bureau for baseball statistics on how many rain-outs that the Colorado Rockies have had in August compared with how many games played.

Historically 8% chance of rain on August 28th. And most of those are mountain effect rain, 30 minutes mid-afternoon.

A}He better make sure he can pack the stadium and B)I hope there can be enough security at such a venue.

Yes, these are REAL concerns.
However, because of the historic significance, I think people all across America are calling to try to get a flight to Denver, this morning.

Obama opening up the venue for this was smart. Families, want their children to witness this. Old people who have beleived not in my lifetime their entire lives will come. They will come in wheelchairs, by boat, train and car as well as and on walkers to see this.

Especially as this will also be the 45th anniversary of the MLK speech. People remember the crowd at the Washington monument and this will be no less of a momentous occasison for America.


Now...security...that is a BIG problem...especially with it also being an open air stadium.

O well...I will not give in to my fears...I am going to focus on hope and this nation making progress.

I pray. I pray.

Nothing looks down into Invesco Field other than the stands. Controlling the access to the venue for days in advance should be SOP.

Nice. Someone start the "DE-FENSE" chant. It'll be awesome.

I'll bet that Obama talks about his team (Webb, Richardson, Edwards, etc.) and indicates how change will be implimented with them.
A Stadium is an ideal place to show a team off!

Obama's TEAM will most likely not consist of just his cabinet.

I bet his Team will be AMERICA..and all the citizens sitting there and listening around the world.

We are his team. He has said many times that he cannot do this alone, that he needs us to be active citizens.

We are the Obama team.

We are the ones we have been waiting for.

Change we can beleive in.

It won't rain. Summer is pretty dry in Colorado. The big precip comes in winter. The weather should be awesome. But FirstRead worries that Obama might be too much of a rock star and the American people will want to elect a tired, old Bush clone instead. I hear he'll be accepting at the local Grange.

McLaim would get up a pretty good crowd of supporters if he held his acceptance at Costco back where they give away the free samples. A sea of white heads looking for food they can afford but are too cheap to buy.

I haven't heard any discussion regarding Denver's altitude. While being 5,300 feet above sea level doesn't pose a problem for permanent residents, visiting delegates or spectators from the lowlands, particularly any with preexisting health issues might start dropping like flies.

People visit Denver often enough, and should do alright with altitude issues so long as they don't do anything too strenuous the first day or so they get into town.

They should be acclimatized by the speech, at least...

It's a minor issue for sports teams who fly in for a game and fly out. 48 hours is enough for basic acclimation to the altitude.

It's not like Mount Evans where the parking lot is at 14000' and the flatlanders collapse hiking the last 200' to the top.

That will make for some good TV watchin'.

I'm making nachos and getting a keg!

Okay, suppose McCain gives his speech before an overflow crowd in a hall that seats 10,000. Obama gives his speech before 50,000 in a stadium that seats 76,000. Which candidate will be perceived as having the more successful event?

The one that was in front of 5x as many as the other guy.

In all seriousness, I can't imagine Obama will have any problem filling up that stadium.

he wont, he got 75k for just a regular rally. For his announcement, that is planed way ahead, getting a seat will be a hard part. I just cant wait to see that 75k+ shouting OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA

Going to be quite the image.

That's football seating. With people standing on the playing field it could go close to 100,000.

Bruce Springsteen will be playing. They'll fill it. (Meanwhile, McCain's opening act will be Shrub.)

Uh huh. And between the candidate who speaks to an overflow crowd in a venue that seats 10K and the candidate who speaks to an overflow crowd in a venue that seats 75K, who will be perceived to have the more successful event? Honestly, are we really expected to believe that Obama will have a hard time filling that stadium? Be serious, do.

I'm getting every ticket I can. My brother from Phoenix would gladly spend a week in Colorado in August to see this speech. I'm sure there are many more.

I just hope Obama gets announced over the PA system and runs out the tunnel.

Trust me, he'll fill the stadium. For starters, half the damn seats are going to be filled by Secret Service agents.

The altitude can present a problem,(lived at 6000FT for a Summer and had a headache and dry mouth most of the time!) but staying hydrated and taking advil is enough for most people to deal with it....the old, very young and infirm could be at risk, but there aren't many in those groups at the convention.

meant in reply to ratfood above

Remember that, a year and a half ago, folks showed up in force in Springfield when it was barely above zero out, and the speaker was a long-shot candidate for the nomination.

If he says something about putting the "Orange Crush"* on McCain he'll have Colorado's vote locked up.

* For the erudite, this is a reference to a famous Denver Broncos (American football) defense.

If it rains, it rains. Here in Denver we NEVER bitch about free water out of the sky!
Damn, I can hardly wait!

One very important thing to mention...

Seeing how this speech is going to be open to the people of Colorado, and that Colorado is going to have stronger-than-average Democratic media coverage, participation, and indentification with the Democrats this year, doesn't it seem likely to all of you that Obama will probably get around a 3% boost in the state when it comes to Election Day... enough to put it as a likely gain for the Democrats this year?! He already has a 6 point lead there... seems to me that a big convention will help cement that.

If Obama wins in Colorado, and gets any other significant state that Kerry couldn't get in 2004, such as Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, or Virginia -- or Nevada and either Iowa or New Mexico -- that's victory!

Where can I get a ticket?

Keep an eye on his site, the tickets will be available from this site or you can win a trip along with a guest (will include meeting Obama backstage) if you donate via the convention button on his site.

Cue to the online trolls deriding Obama's "ego."

Aaaaaand, go!

What if it rains?

It really doesn't make any difference what the weather is like

<GOP>

  • Rain = Heaven's pissing on all of those Godless Dems who are too dumb to come in out of the rain
  • Rain + Umbrellas = Dems are wimps a.k.a if they can't stand-up to the rain, how can you expect them to stand-up to (fill in blank)?
  • Sun = Sunshine is the best disinfectant a.k.a, God's giving them nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
  • Sun (Bonus) = How many people will die from skin cancer to satisfy Obama's ego?
</GOP>

This is a great PR move! Super Summer Spectacle!

We get more than 300 days of sunshine in Denver, and it's very hot and dry in August. While a few afternoon sprinkles are not unheard of, it's not likely to rain during the speech.

As to altitude, thousands of tourists come to Denver and the mountains with no problem. While visitors will need to drink a lot of water and take it easy at the brew pubs, most people will adjust within a day or two.

I'll even drive down out of the mountains and ride an RTD bus downtown to see this.

I wonder if the 75,000 seat stadium was chosen to be able to drown out the Clinton delegates that are there for the convention who might plan to jeer and boo if Sen. Clinton isn't the running mate.

Leave a comment

Advertise Liberally
Share
Close Social Web Email

"To" Email Address

Your Name

Your Email Address