Spectators gather in anticipation of President Obama's appearance in Minneapolis

TwinCities.com ^ | Sept 12, 2009 | Jason Hoppin

[BAW]

MINNEAPOLIS — Spectators are packing the Target Center in anticipation of this afternoon's health care address by President Obama, with lines snaking for several blocks through Minneapolis' Warehouse District.

Some camped overnight for the 12:30 p.m. speech, which follows an address to Congress earlier this week in which Obama tried to regain control of the health care debate. Critics spent the summer buffeting his plan, which Obama has made his top priority during his first year in office.

"We believe in what Obama's trying to do, and believe health care change is really necessary," said Andy Gunn, 57, who had waited in line for two hours with his wife, Beth, 54.

Both are transplants to Minneapolis from Tennessee, and while Andy Gunn works as an analyst for United Health, Beth is still looking for a job.

"We change jobs about every five years and every time it's always an issue getting insurance. We don't mind paying but we just feel like there needs to be a plan that we can get that we can take with us and not have to worry about preexisting conditions and things like that," Andy Gunn said.

John Eloranta, a 19-year-old student who wore a Bush-Cheney t-shirt (he almost wore a Sarah Palin shirt) was also attending the speech. He said he'd been getting grief from friends and strangers for his shirt, but said he wants to be at the speech.

"There's all the Obama people here. I think there should be someone from the other side," Eloranta said. He called the Obama speech before Congress "garbage."

The scene outside the Target Center is lively, with both supporters and detractors using bullhorns to get their points across. But the lengthy line proceeded smoothly into the 20,500-seat arena.

[tickles]

“Both are transplants to Minneapolis from Tennessee, and while Andy Gunn works as an analyst for United Health, Beth is still looking for a job.

“We change jobs about every five years and every time it’s always an issue getting insurance. We don’t mind paying but we just feel like there needs to be a plan that we can get that we can take with us and not have to worry about preexisting conditions and things like that,” Andy Gunn said. “

They choose to move to different jobs every 5yrs.

Since andy is working at united health one would assume that the insurance that he can get through his employer will cover his and his wives per existing conditions.

Since he whines I’d say he does mind having to pay using COBRA until he gets a job that has health benefits.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

“The Minneapolis crown won’t be chanting, “You lie! You lie!”

The First Cheerleader led the Fired Up chant for the crowd.
I don’t know if he was wearing a girl’s cheerleading outfit .
But, I heard that he was waving pom poms..
The undignified and inappropriate Commander in Chief acting like he’s at a high school football game-ugh.