AC on the Campaign Trail: Bill Clinton Speaks in Lake Charles, Louisiana

Bill Clinton made a pan-Louisiana tour that dwarfed the efforts made by his wife's contender, Barack Obama, who settled for a rally in New Orleans, hitting two of the major western cities in the state by speaking in both Lafayette and Louisiana. The author only found out about this specific meeting following an excerpt on the local news of Acadiana - with Lake Charles being a short 30 minute drive away, I rushed over there shortly after I got off from work.

Without a doubt I was excited - although I was daring to tread outside my party (something I fundamentally have to do living in this state anyway). I had never actually seen a president in person before and this was my opportunity to get in and experience the real campaign trail. Outside of state corruption scandals it is virtually impossible for an average Louisiana resident to get involved in political matters, so a figure as large as an ex-President arriving was a real treat.

The event started at 5pm - and I was unfortunately running quite late. However I managed to pull into the Civic Center at around 4:57 and Bill himself didn't start speaking until about 5:10. To my chagrin, my press credentials had not arrived yet, therefore I was unable to enter with the rest of the press, but admission was free and I was able to find a decent standing seat.

As a testament to Louisiana culture, the Civic Center was split with an RV and Boat Show. The decorum was an example in polar opposites, as men in suits and ties walked side beside those in jumpsuits and overalls coming to tour the display of sporting vehicles. Perhaps what struck me most about this however was not that an ex-President was forced to share a Civic Center with such a convention/show, he was also resigned to the third floor, and the sign (yes there was only one) directing those interested in seeing him to the third floor was a hand written note pasted onto a post.