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| -Election 2012 |
| U of Virginia declines Obama request to speak on campus |
| 2012-08-26 |
| The University of Virginia has declined President Obama's request to speak on campus next week, citing security costs and the disruption of classes. University officials said the Obama campaign wanted to use one of two outdoor venues -- the school's Amphitheater or the Harrison-Small Library plaza -- when the president visits Charlottesville on Wednesday, according to NBC affiliate WVIR-TV. Looking for a "small" environment space --- thus, its strategy (excuse) for a "small" audience compared to the 10,000 that showed up in Michigan the other day and the 5,000 Saturday in Ohio for the tag team of Romney/Ryan Romney would need both outdoor venues, and the parking lots... School officials said more than 186 classes would have to be cancelled, in the first week of the fall semester. The president is scheduled next week to visit three battleground states with a focus on wooing college voters, as the Republican Party holds its national convention in Tampa, Fla. On Tuesday, Obama is scheduled to hold a rally at Iowa State University, in Ames, Iowa, then one at Colorado State University, in Fort Collins, Colo. Virginia's top Democrat is playing down the snub. Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Brian Moran told the station, "We're proud that he's coming. We're very excited that he's coming to Charlottesville, regardless of where in Charlottesville." University spokesperson Carol Wood confirmed to the TV station that President Obama will not be speaking at the university. You're gonna love the reason why... And the university's communications office said Friday, school officials offered John Paul Jones Arena, but were told it "was not academic enough" by the Obama for America campaign. John Paul Jones Arena, home of the Virginia Cavaliers basketball team (Basketball Fan-in-Chief not appearing in a basketball arena?) has seating for 14,593 fans. Folks who have filled the arena: Cirque du Soleil, Larry the Cable Guy, The Wiggles, Disney on Ice & WWE Monday Night Raw, Jimmy Buffett, Dave Matthews Band, Lady Gaga and even the Professional Bull Riders Who or what are The Wiggles? They're more popular than Obama, silly... |
| Posted by:Sherry |
| #15 The Wiggles are a long standing Australian children's rock band. My three-year-old watches them every day. |
| Posted by: Secret Master 2012-08-26 23:21 |
| #14 Has he got anything to say? |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2012-08-26 19:13 |
| #13 It's Virginia for Gods sake........... |
| Posted by: Slolugum Gray3209 2012-08-26 18:10 |
| #12 Yeah, back when it was mid-July and they were packing people together for the cameras and forgot to hand out water. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2012-08-26 16:48 |
| #11 watchoo got against dumpsters? Dumpsters is fine - as long as the trash stays on the inside. |
| Posted by: SteveS 2012-08-26 16:45 |
| #10 Has anybody fainted at any of Obama's 2012 appearances? |
| Posted by: Abu Uluque 2012-08-26 16:40 |
| #9 Damn, Darth, watchoo got against dumpsters? At least they perform a useful function. |
| Posted by: Barbara 2012-08-26 16:04 |
| #8 I'm sure P2K is correct. Obama's reputation as a scumwad deadbeat has somehow gotten past the MFM's "nothing negative about Zero" news filters... |
| Posted by: PBMcL 2012-08-26 15:03 |
| #7 School officials offered John Paul Jones Arena, but were told it "was not academic enough" by the Obama for America campaign. Because, as we all know, he is a souper jeanius... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2012-08-26 14:54 |
| #6 If they want a smaller venue, I suggest the dumpster behind the cafeteria. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2012-08-26 14:40 |
| #5 I figured John Paul Jones Arena was named for the Led Zeppelin bass player, but noooooo... |
| Posted by: Frank G 2012-08-26 11:54 |
| #4 If they are looking for a small venue, I suggest the local Denny's. Cozy and they serve waffles! |
| Posted by: SteveS 2012-08-26 09:47 |
| #3 Maybe they've been reading the net on the number of venues that got stuck with security bills the One's campaign offices refuse to reimburse. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2012-08-26 09:14 |
| #2 Refused him outright, or just said he can't use a teleprompter? |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2012-08-26 06:22 |
| #1 Champ's base will erode quite rapidly the further south of Charlottesville he ventures. In fact, I wouldn't advise him to go south of Charlottesville at all. And don't even consider visiting Franklin County. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2012-08-26 02:40 |