LIVE - President Obama Visit to FAU
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President Barack Obama makes a major tax policy speech in his first visit to Florida Atlantic University on April 10, 2012 at FAU Arena - the second visit to FAU by a sitting president. Photos copyright 2012 Bob Markey II / www.PalmsWestPhoto.com
http://www.palmswestpress.co/images/FAU_Obama_1_04_10_12/index.htm
PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED: We're set up in the press corps here inside FAU Arena waiting for President Obama to present his speech on taxation.
The arena is around half-full of students - many dressed as if they were attending a basketball game here. The TV camera guys are dressed like slime, as usual, with denim shorts and crummy t-shirts. You;d think they would have a bit of respect for the highest office in the land.
Security was not bad, but they made us go through a wand check while out gear was outside the west entrance to the arena. A dog sniffed our gear while we roasted in the sun. Finally we're in.
Obama will speak from a stage at mid-court, facing the reserved seating side. But only the top of the reserved side is being used. The roll-out bottom seats were kept closed. That is where the press risers are situated. The student side is rolled out, but only one-third full at this time. However, last I looked a half-hour ago, the line of guests waiting to be scanned and checked and prodded reached all the way to University Avenue and significantly past the baseball stadium entrance. FAU/White House could have accommodated many more people if the lower section of the reserved side had been rolled out.
The campus looks nice. A huge media contingent is here, including every TV station in the Miami and West Palm Beach markets.
The mood is upbeat, with many students interested in what Obama has to say about taxing the ultra-rich more and what he plans to do about gas prices. A sense of student pride is evident.
More info and photos to come …
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Re: LIVE - President Obama Visit to FAU
For a few seconds there, I thought I was at a game show or David Letterman. The test speaker told the crowd it had to be more enthusiastic when "PODUS" arrives. The crowd responded well.
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Re: LIVE - President Obama Visit to FAU
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Re: LIVE - President Obama Visit to FAU
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Re: LIVE - President Obama Visit to FAU
LIVE - President Obama Visit to FAU
Posted
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Re: LIVE - President Obama Visit to FAU
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Re: LIVE - President Obama Visit to FAU
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Re: LIVE - President Obama Visit to FAU
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Re: LIVE - President Obama Visit to FAU
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Re: LIVE - President Obama Visit to FAU
The student body president took advantage of the cheers, looking like Richard Nixon with his hands in the air as he came out to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Obama later said the FAU chief wants his job, but can't have it until he is 35.
The young woman who sang the national Anthem was fantastic and drew large cheers. The audience sang the last stanza with her.
The Burrow went wild when Obama came out. He spoke to everyone and even reacted to a few comments from the audience. he did his homework on FAU because he started out by giving the "owl fingers". Mass cheers.
He spoke of the burrowing owl and FAU's mascot, drawing an eruption. He said he was glad to be in Florida, especially with this great weather, referred to FAU graduates-to-be and then used college issues to get into his argument that the largest wealth earners should pay more in taxes in order to find college grants, care for the elderly, care for veterans, police officers and firefighters, etc.
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