A few hours ago, I took a quick tour of stage and surroundings where Barack Obama will deliver his Election Day speech tomorrow night. As you can see in the picture above (click for larger version), the podium is in place. Much like the stage at Invesco Field, it sits at the end of runway which will extend into the crowd. Unlike Denver, however, the area around it is more or less enclosed on three sides. As a result, it's surprisingly intimate. Those lucky -- and early -- enough to watch the speech from these confines are going to be in for a real treat.
On the East, behind the stage, is a curved blue wall (no Roman columns this time.) To the South is a row of seven elevated platforms ("pods") where the networks will base their anchors and correspondents. To the East, about a hundred feet across from the podium, is an absolutely huge, terraced riser, reminscent of the stands at a racetrack. Then, to the North, is Hutchinson Field's open expanse, likely to be filled hours before the speech begins. Beyond that ... who knows. The speakers are big and the park is vast. It's gonna be a madhouse.
More photos below.
Columbus Drive has been shut down and satellite trucks from an array of national and international news outlets are already parked.
The press filing tent, meanwhile, is enormous:
The podium, head-on:
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