Tears, joy for winners of the 'Obama lottery'
Lucky few receive word they've won tickets for speech at Invesco Field
By Kevin Vaughan, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published August 14, 2008 at 1:06 p.m.
Photo by Matt McClain © The Rocky
Stephanie Lindsey, a volunteer for Barack Obama's campaign, makes a phone call Thursday, letting someone know they have tickets to Obama's speech Aug. 28.
The message awaited with white knuckles 'round Obamaland was sent early Thursday afternoon.
It hit Andrew Huff's cell phone precisely at 2:55 p.m.
"Congrats!" the text message read. "You will be joining Barack for his Convention speech at Invesco Field. You will receive an e-mail tomorrow with info on how to pick up your credentials."
"Barack," of course, is Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, who is set to make history Aug. 28 at Invesco Field at Mile High when he accepts the Democratic Party's presidential nomination before a crowd expected to top 75,000.
"I think it'll be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to go be a part of something like that," said Huff, an auditor at a home warranty company in Denver. "I think it's just a great experience to go and see, and you get to tell your grandkids about it."
Ryan Monroe's message landed a little later as he sat on a New York subway in the midst of a business trip.
"I think my reaction must have been pretty priceless - a little bit of tears and a lot of shock," Monroe said.
An Obama supporter since 2004, the Denver man could not believe he'd hit the ticket lottery.
"As a Colorado resident, I don't think there can be anything more incredible than seeing Barack Obama accept the nomination for president in Denver," Monroe said.
The Democratic National Convention opens Aug. 25 at the Pepsi Center. In early July, Obama's campaign team decided to move the final night to Invesco Field.
Obama, the first black presidential nominee for a major party, will give his Invesco address on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech.
Stacy Worthington got the good news at 4:19 p.m. She and her 14-year-old son, Nick Boschert, volunteered at an Obama phone bank. Still, the news was a surprise.
"I don't assume that I'm going to get something," said Worthington, who lives in Westminster. "I have a fairly pessimistic outlook, so this was a very happy surprise."
But while some got good news, many others were told they had missed out.
Campaign officials said they would grant tickets to the speech on a first-come, first- served basis. Gary Salazar signed up at 4:11 p.m. on Aug. 6 - a little more than 90 minutes after the plan was announced.
At 5:01 p.m. Thursday, Salazar got an e-mail that said, in part, "unfortunately, there are only a certain number of seats in the stadium, and we cannot fulfill every Coloradan's request to attend the event. Due to the high demand . . . you have been placed on a wait list."
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August 14, 2008
1:25 p.m.
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Mayor_Quimby writes:
Come on!! Big money!!
August 14, 2008
5:07 p.m.
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ryanmonroe writes:
I just received the e-mail stating i got the credential. I am in New York City for work, i think i my reaction on the subway must have been priceless when the message came through on my blackberry. FYI: I went to the credentials website the moment the DNC had the press conference. Good luck to all, and I am so anxious to share this historic moment with my fellow Coloradans.
Obama 08'
August 14, 2008
6:43 p.m.
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buffsblg writes:
I also went on the website within minutes of it being posted and my wife volunteered and we both got waitlisted, which is of course their way of saying no chance. I do not know the criteria, but it is not the one that they claimed.
August 14, 2008
7:39 p.m.
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racheltech81 writes:
Me too, buffsblg - I volunteered, although I didn't meet their requirements (thought I had until Sat. but I guess that was misinformation). Being wait listed after volunteering is especially disappointing.
August 14, 2008
8:49 p.m.
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Denver_Chick writes:
Congratulations to those of you who got tickets. I was one of those who signed up very early, did two volunteer shifts, and still was wait-listed (read: out of luck). I called everyone I knew that did the required volunteer shifts (all completed before last Wednesday), and none of us got tickets.
While I don't blame Barack Obama directly for the behavior of his local campaign staff here in Colorado, my friends and I feel that we were misled by the local campaign staff and were taken advantage of. If they had been honest with us and told us that we probably wouldn't get tickets even though we met the volunteer requirements, I would have volunteered to support my candidate, anyway. I'm sure that a great number of the volunteers who showed up and worked for the campaign in the last week would have turned around and left when they heard this, but it would at least have been honest. Instead, we were told things that turned out not to be true.
It was not "first come first served" and the amount of volunteer hours put in did not seem to count for much. We were never told how they made their decisions on which volunteers (if any) would actually get tickets to the Acceptance Speech or even how many tickets were actually available to volunteers.
I will still vote for Obama in November, but I won't have anything to do with the local Democratic Party ever again.
August 14, 2008
9:03 p.m.
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racheltech81 writes:
I had hit the website and entered my information within 20 minutes of receiving the campaign announcement. Everyone that I talked to about the tickets from Obama's call center made a point of eluding my direct questions regarding the likelihood of securing a ticket, but it was strongly implied that volunteering for the campaign would put you at least in the running. I'm upset and I feel a bit cheated to be quite honest. After strongly considering becoming a Democrat this election, I've decided - I'll always be an unaffiliated voter. Obama's got my vote because frankly, the Republicans have had their run and I am not impressed. But I have to say a little bit of my enthusiasm for this campaign died today.
August 14, 2008
9:17 p.m.
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firefan writes:
I signed up for tickets online at 4:00 on 8/6, very early. My text came at 4:39 today saying I was wait listed. I would love to know the following...how many Colorado credentials were there to be given? Why did the volunteer requirements for all star seating suddenly change? I was called Monday to volunteer, set my time and arrived as scheduled yesterday to be told by a very flustered young lady that all star credentials were no longer available if the first shift had not been completed by Tuesday night. I still did my shift. I knew this was a popular event, but come on "sold out" in an hour of the announcement. I know of someone who signed up far later Wednesday than I did, did not sign up for all star credentials and still got tickets. Denver_Chick is correct - this was not first come first served as stated.
I do feel a little irritated with the Colorado campaign office. How long does it take to set up how to distribute tickets? A very long time....Logistically this should have been figured out pretty quick. First we were told we would be notified beginning the 7th if we received tickets, then it was the 12th and then today. Why the delay? One must wonder what they were checking out.
After I received the text saying I was wait listed I got a second text asking to verify my zip code. Then a third text saying I could download Obama ringtones, etc. Hmmmm
August 14, 2008
9:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
Denver_Chick writes:
The Denver Democratic Party had to have known how many tickets were really available to local volunteers (apparently, not many), but they used the high interest in seeing Obama's Acceptance Speech as leverage to get more people to do work for them.
While they got a lot of volunteers to work for them this week, I think many, if not most, of those people who would have done volunteer work throughout the campaign have been turned off by this experience. I know I have.
They may have gotten a lot of work done in one week, but they'll have a lot less people working with them in future. This was a very poor use of resources and shows an embarrassing lack of judgment on their part.
August 14, 2008
9:46 p.m.
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danso writes:
I, too, went to the site within minutes. By 3:30 on 8/6. Waitlisted. First come, first served? It doesn't seem possible.
August 14, 2008
9:50 p.m.
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kix writes:
I don't think it was "first come, first served," either, or else there were not that many seats available to the public. I logged in shortly before 4 PM on the day of the announcement and signed up for credentials.
A few days later, I had a call from an Obama volunteer asking who I was supporting (Obama) and did I have time to volunteer to work on the campaign. I said "Perhaps, if I could work it around my schedule." Was it my reluctance to volunteer that cost me a chance to get seats?
I'd like to know the exact criteria they used and how many seats were actually available to the public. I cannot believe all the seats were snapped up before 4 PM, and if they were, why didn't they cut off the registration right away. When you are buying tickets for a concert or sporting event, you can't buy tickets once the venue is sold out.
I'd also like to know if all the hollering from the California folks over their lack of seating meant that locals lost out on seats.
August 15, 2008
4:30 a.m.
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Shadow writes:
I didn't sign up, nor would I want to. But I did recieve a call. The survey asked me who I was supporting and would vote for. I told them it was none of their business. They got snippy with me and I replied then " As a life long Democrat I am voting republican down the line. Todays Dems have Truman rolling over in his grave and FDR asking his Uncle Teddy if he can switch parties."
To those who got their seats for the convention/invesco. Congratulations. Enjoy the event and take pictures, get autographs, ect. I plan to be at Pelosi's book signing on the 20th. It is not every day you get a chance to meet a sitting speaker of the house and ask her how she is enjoying her vacation while others can't afford one.
August 15, 2008
5:45 a.m.
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blu_boi writes:
The snake oil salesman offers you “free” snake oil and the only catch is you must do several hours of “volunteer” work for him but when it comes time to get your “free” snake oil he tells you that you’ve been “wait-listed”.
FYI, The next time someone offers you something for “FREE!” and then requires you to work your buttocks off to get it you are being hoodwinked, bamboozled, conned.
Every person at invesco was hand picked to create an equal balance of males, females. blacks, whites, Asians and Latinos. Every person must also pass the attractiveness test and be of the correct weight/height ratio (no fatties).
August 15, 2008
5:46 a.m.
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commoncents writes:
I missed out on tickets, but maybe it will be a blessing in disguise. I am sure watching the pundits will be more entertaining than sitting in traffic trying to get out of there when it is over. I remember watching the first Apollo missions on TV, now it is HD so I am sure I will remember this historic event too. Be safe down there lucky winners.
August 15, 2008
5:58 a.m.
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Mike846 writes:
All you Obama supporters let this be a lesson to you. They lied to you, used you, then didn't deliver as promised. You act like you're surprised. Pelosi promised to "clean up the House" and end the war. How's that worked out? The list is endless, if you just take off your rose-colored glasses and look and reflect on what you're seeing. These people are not your friends. Wake up, stop being "useful idiots" and stop drinking the "inclusive" and "diverse" cool aid. The very people who are denying you basic freedom of association and speech are the one's you're supporting. THINK. Mike
August 15, 2008
6:41 a.m.
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racheltech81 writes:
I must remark that it is absolutely amazing to be how venomous, cynical, and cruel some of the people who evidently will be casting their vote for John McCain this year are. Do people make remarks like those attached to this article about McCain as well? Do people routinely comment that you're morons as you sing the praises of President Bush when reading news stories about him? It's very similar to watching Fox news. Frankly, the label of "useful idiot" strikes me as comical coming from someone who voted for Bush in the last election.
August 15, 2008
6:42 a.m.
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Vector049 writes:
Figures.
August 15, 2008
7:23 a.m.
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LingLingfor_prez writes:
Just because some of us won't vote for Obama, don't assume that we are voting for McCain.
None of the above!
August 15, 2008
7:53 a.m.
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Daisy1279 writes:
Well I signed up 15 min after the announcement on 8/6 and haven't heard anything at all. I guess some volunteers just got ignored completely.
August 15, 2008
7:54 a.m.
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jefferson3 writes:
Again, people not supporting Obama are really mad. Sad and lonely, too. Why?
August 15, 2008
8 a.m.
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infidel91 writes:
ryan monroe: "a little bit of tears"? Really? Tears?
So I just deleted all the nasty things I was going to say, but dude! Come on, that's so pathetic . . .
August 15, 2008
8:38 a.m.
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JMan415 writes:
I was also online within 30 minutes after the annoucement, probably one of the first 5-10% to respond and also got waitlisted. While I'm sure there are more devoted followers that got tickets, I'm still feeling let down by the process. It's the Rockies in the World Series all over again
August 15, 2008
8:49 a.m.
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Mayor_Quimby writes:
craigslist.... here i come!!
August 15, 2008
9:37 a.m.
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motorcitymama writes:
I join the list of disappointed volunteers who were specifically told (Weds. night, Westminster Prominade; there were over 40 of us), that if we had our 6 hr. shifts completed by Friday, we would be getting credentials. I was wait listed. I contacted the party office about this, and they said, "Sorry, whoever told you this was wrong."
If we can't trust the Obama folks with honoring their word to their most loyal supporters, how can we believe in their truthfulness in future politial issues?
Senator Obama has lost my vote. I am writing in my black lab Izzy for president in November.
August 15, 2008
11:07 a.m.
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losangeles29 writes:
I'm in California, and I watched the news conference online. My request was submitted even BEFORE the news conference was over, before the alert emails went out, and before the AP released their story. I put my flight confirmations in the email, my state in the subject line, and a short statement about my eagerness to volunteer, along with every piece of information they could have asked for (my address, phone, email, the place I'm staying in CO, etc.).
I did not get a ticket. I think we'll be hearing a lot of similar stories in the future. The biggest frustration is not knowing what else I could have done...
August 15, 2008
12:10 p.m.
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tazz909 writes:
I also signed up on the website within 30 minutes of it being announced and did not receive tickets. I got a call 3 days ago saying that I needed to put in four 3-hour shifts before Friday if I wanted my tickets. That's 12 hours of volunteer time in less than 48 hours! I work full-time...that was completely unreasonable. I have a hard time believing that 20,000 people were willing to do that. Even more frustrating, my friend was told she only needed to do 6 hours -- and she got tickets. There was no rhyme or reason to any of this. On the website they said if you wanted to try to get "all star" seating then you could volunteer. They never said volunteering was a pre-requisite to get any tickets. Then it seems they changed their minds. I'm surprised to hear that some volunteers, however, missed out. This was so disorganized and embarrassing. The world is looking at Denver right now because we have the DNC...and the Obama campaign can't even organize how to distribute tickets. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come under an Obama administration.
August 15, 2008
12:17 p.m.
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losangeles29 writes:
There hasn't been much news about the tickets outside of Colorado. I'm dying to know if others in California (and elsewhere) have had the same experience I've had, or if they've even been notified.
August 15, 2008
5:26 p.m.
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tazz909 writes:
As irritated as I am...Blu_boi your comment doesn't make sense. In order to sign up for tickets, you didn't have to include your height and weight or attach a photo. How would they pick and choose by race or looks? I have no idea how they chose...but I'm pretty sure that wasn't it.
August 18, 2008
5:03 p.m.
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mpdamon writes:
Obama has done it again, "mispoke". he didn't say that the tickets would be "first come", you only think he did. Get used to it guys and gals, this is a preview of an Obama administration.