If she was going to come to the state, I knew she would stop in Seattle, but I never thought she would head to places like Everett, which is closer to where I live (though still over an hour away). And I never imagined that I would get the opportunity to actually see Hillary in person. I really wanted to go, especially since my thinking was that if I don't become a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, this might be my only opportunity to see her give a speech live; I'm so glad I was able to make it work so I could go.
This campaign event was held at the machinists union hall in Everett.
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| (Photo Source: Jeff Dodge) |
We showed up in the morning and waited for quite a while in a line outside, very slowly inching our way closer to the building. One of the people in line was Captain Hillster, a very dedicated Hillary supporter, as you can tell from his costume:
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| (Photo Source: Jeff Dodge) |
While were in line on the side of the building (far enough back that we could see the back of the building), we saw Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray arrive.
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| (Photo Source: Jeff Dodge) |
As you'd imagine, there was security everywhere, including dogs sniffing around for anything suspicious:
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| (Photo Source: Jeff Dodge) |
Later on, we were far enough ahead in the line that we could see the front door. But then all of a sudden, we heard cheering from the people in the back of the line. I assumed that meant Hillary had arrived, so I and others bolted over there (my mom was there, so I still had my place in line). Here Hillary was walking towards us, speaking with her supporters and shaking hands before heading inside. Unfortunately, I couldn't get myself close enough to shake her hand.
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| (Photo Source: Jeff Dodge) |
After she went inside, I got back in line and eventually went inside, where we had to take everything out of our pockets and have everything looked at, then spread our arms out and be wanded by the Secret Service. (By the way, they wouldn't let Captain Hillster take his gloves or hat inside.)
Then we went to the room where the event was being held. In the back and on one side of the room, there were cameras and reporters in the press area. It was standing room only, so we found a spot, close to where some of the press were on the right side. (We were even interviewed by a reporter.)
When the event started, the first to speak was Senator Maria Cantwell:
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| (Photo Source: Jeff Dodge) |
Then Senator Patty Murray spoke:
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| (Photo Source: Jeff Dodge) |
Then Hillary came out and was introduced:
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| (Photo Source: Jeff Dodge) |
Then the big moment arrived and I was actually in the same room as the one and only Hillary Clinton watching her give a speech!
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| (Photo Source: Jeff Dodge) |
It was beyond amazing! I think you already know how big of a Hillary supporter I am, but being able to hear her in person had me even more pumped up and ready to help get her elected.
Afterwards, Hillary worked the crowd, talking with supporters, shaking hands and taking selfies. Right before the below photo was taken, Hillary was really close to me, but there were still people in front of me and I couldn't get close enough to be right in front of her. So I reached my arm out as far as I could--and our next President shook my hand! It all happened in a flash.
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| (Photo Source: Jeff Dodge) |
Here is the podium that Hillary spoke at:
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| (Photo Source: Jeff Dodge) |
While Hillary worked the crowd, the Secret Service followed her closely and were always paying attention to what was going on in the room:
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| (Photo Source: Jeff Dodge) |
We then made our way outside to the side/back of the building again, hoping to see Hillary leave. While we didn't see her, we did see Senators Cantwell and Murray again and they came over to talk and shake hands.
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| (Photo Source: Jeff Dodge) |
Here is the van for Hillary's staff:
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| (Photo Source: Jeff Dodge) |
So that's my photo journey of attending a Hillary Clinton campaign event. I've only been to one other presidential candidate's rally before (John Edwards in 2008--I was a Hillary supporter, but he came to my community college and it was a great opportunity), I've been to a rally for Governor Chris Gregoire when she ran for re-election in 2008, and I went to a town hall in either 2009 or 2010 for Congressman Rick Larsen. But to be able to go to this campaign event for my favorite political figure was unbelievable.
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