Obama's Speech in Baltimore Video

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Transcript of Baltimore speech

Obama Family Boards the Train in Philadelphia

Obama, Michelle, Malia and Sasha board the train in Philly.

Video Obamas Pick up the Bidens in Delaware

The crowd first sings Happy Birthday to Michelle, who is 45 today.

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Video Obama's Second Stop Delaware

See full schedule of the Whistle Stop Tour here.
Whistle Stop tweets from reporter Marc Ambinder who is traveling along for the ride.
In Delaware, Obama picked up the Bidens.
Also, Happy Birthday to Michelle Obama who turns 45 today!

Raw video

It's Joe

Video Obama's First Stop Philadelphia

See the full Whistle Stop Tour schedule here. Transcript of Obama's Philly speech. 

Here is a must-see video of Patricia Stiles, a mom, giving an emotional introduction. It's not in the video below. 

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About Obama's train ride:

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Transcript of Obama's Philly speech
The train passing by the crowd just outside of Philly. Watch for the second train with the blue car:

Whistle Stop Events in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Wilmington

Updates 1-17:

See video of Baltimore speech

See video of Delaware speech

See video of Philadelphia speech. 

Update: See new events added below.
From a new PIC media guide, here are some details on the train trip that the Obamas and the Bidens will take:

Whistle Stop Tour: President-elect Obama, Vice President-elect Biden and their families will travel—via railroad—to Washington, DC on Saturday, January 17, hosting events along the way in Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore. The trip marks the final leg of a journey that began on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Illinois and will culminate on the steps of the United States Capitol.

In keeping with the theme of the 2009 Inauguration, “Renewing America’s Promise,” the President-elect and Vice President-elect will hold events in some of the cities instrumental to that promise: Philadelphia, where that promise was realized; Baltimore, where that promise was defended, then immortalized in our national anthem; and Washington, where Americans of all backgrounds will gather over four days, united in common purpose and resolved to renew that promise once more.

Throughout the trip, the Obamas and the Bidens will be joined by Americans from across the country who have been chosen to participate in the historic journey.

Philadelphia 30th Street Station

Where:
North Waiting Room, 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA

When:
Doors Open – TBA
Program Begins – 10:05 AM

Who:
President-elect Obama, Mrs. Michelle Obama and Malia and Sasha Obama, , Mark Dowell, Crestwood, KY; Matt Kuntz, Helena, MT; Jim and Alicia Girardeau, Kansas City, MO; Juliana Sanchez, Albuquerque, NM; Rosa Mendoza, Las Vegas, NV; Lisa Hazirjian, Cleveland, OH; Kirsten Meehan, Dover, NH; Roy Gross, Taylor, MI; Shandra Jackson, Arlington, TX; Quincy Lucas, Dover, DE; Patricia Stiles, Parker, CO; Gregg Weaver, Fairless Hills, PA; Tony Fischer, Cinncinati, OH; Lilly Ledbetter, Jacksonville, AL; Mike and Cheryl Fisher, Beech Grove, IN; and Randy Wehrman, LeClair, IA. 

Wilmington, DE

Where:
Back of Wilmington Train Station, 100 South French Street, Wilmington, DE

When:
Doors Open – 9:30 AM
Program Begins – 1:00 PM

Who:
President-elect Obama, Vice President-elect Biden and their families , Mark Dowell, Crestwood, KY; Matt Kuntz, Helena, MT; Jim and Alicia Girardeau, Kansas City, MO; Juliana Sanchez, Albuquerque, NM; Rosa Mendoza, Las Vegas, NV; Lisa Hazirjian, Cleveland, OH; Kirsten Meehan, Dover, NH; Roy Gross, Taylor, MI; Shandra Jackson, Arlington, TX; Quincy Lucas, Dover, DE; Patricia Stiles, Parker, CO; Gregg Weaver, Fairless Hills, PA; Tony Fischer, Cinncinati, OH; Lilly Ledbetter, Jacksonville, AL; Mike and Cheryl Fisher, Beech Grove, IN; and Randy Wehrman, LeClair, IA.

Baltimore, MD

Where:
War Memorial Plaza, 101 N. Gay St., Baltimore, MD

When:
Doors Open – 1:00 PM
Program Begins – 4:15 PM

Who:
President-elect Obama, Vice President-elect Biden and their families, Mark Dowell, Crestwood, KY; Matt Kuntz, Helena, MT; Jim and Alicia Girardeau, Kansas City, MO; Juliana Sanchez, Albuquerque, NM; Rosa Mendoza, Las Vegas, NV; Lisa Hazirjian, Cleveland, OH; Kirsten Meehan, Dover, NH; Roy Gross, Taylor, MI; Shandra Jackson, Arlington, TX; Quincy Lucas, Dover, DE; Patricia Stiles, Parker, CO; Gregg Weaver, Fairless Hills, PA; Tony Fischer, Cinncinati, OH; Lilly Ledbetter, Jacksonville, AL; Mike and Cheryl Fisher, Beech Grove, IN; and Randy Wehrman, LeClair, IA.

To see the complete guide for official events Jan. 17-21, go here.
The citizens joining the Obamas and the Bidens on the ride:
One of them is Lilly Ledbetter, who fought for equal pay at her job.

Appealing to the middle class and voters struggling against challenging economic circumstances was a central plank in President-elect Barack Obama ’s winning coalition. The Obama team continues to emphasize that theme with a carefully assembled group of passengers joining him and Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. on a ceremonial train ride from Philadelphia to the nation’s capital to kick off inauguration weekend.

The guests are drawn heavily from swing states in the Midwest and Mountain West that Obama carried in the election, such as Indiana, Ohio, Nevada and New Mexico. And they represent more than just the geographic diversity of Obama’s political coalition. There is an Army gunner, a lesbian, a single mom, a Mexican immigrant, a Teamsters Union member and a registered Republican, among others.

Nearly all were selected thanks to encounters they had with Obama or Biden on the campaign trail in 2008. The campaign used their stories in its outreach to voters, as it sought to demonstrate the ticket’s connection to everyday American experiences and temper Obama’s “rock star” image.

Notably absent: Anyone from traditional liberal bastions such as California, New York and Massachusetts, nor from other large population centers such as Florida or the president-elect’s home state of Illinois. CQ Politics

Obama's rail car:

The rail car President-elect Barack Obama will ride to Washington for his inauguration contains the trappings of a fine hotel or yacht, with painted walls, cherry wood, brass Pullman lamps and modern amenities for a comfortable ride.

The Georgia 300, a shiny blue car built in 1930, can hold six to eight people comfortably for Saturday's ride from Philadelphia. The leased car is plush and upholstered with a kitchen and two living areas as well as a bedroom and dinning room.

"It is modernized and upgraded, but it doesn't show that," said Jack Heard, who owns the rail car. "It still displays the grandeur of the 1930s."

The car was first built by Pullman Standard for the Southern Railway, when the car was known as the General Polk and used by railroad officials. P-I

Here's a video of the car:
Added events from PIC:

In addition to those stops, the train will also “slow roll” through Claymont, Delaware, and Edgewood, Maryland, so that more Americans will have the opportunity to witness the President-elect and Vice President-elect make their way to Washington, D.C. Typically, a “slow roll” means the train will slow significantly, but not come to a complete stop.

At the events in Wilmington and Baltimore, canned food drives will take place as part of President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden’s national service initiative. The PIC is asking those attending the Wilmington event to bring along a can of food, which will be delivered to a local food bank. In Baltimore, event attendees are asked to contribute canned goods at Camden Yards, in a receptacle at the corner of Baltimore Street and Calvert Street.

Philadelphia, PA (Event)

Who: President-elect Obama and his family, and everyday Americans traveling on the Whistle Stop Tour

Where: North Waiting Room, 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA

Event Begins: 10:15 AM

Public Access: Tickets are required to attend and have been distributed to the public

Public Entrance: 1 North 30th Street

Public Parking: Available on site for a fee

Restricted Items: Please see list of restricted items below



Claymont, DE (‘Slow Roll’)

Who: General public

Where: Entrance at Governor Printz Extension and Chapel Avenue

Public Access: Event is free and open to the public

Public Parking: Available next to the site and at Archmere Academy, 3600 Philadelphia Pike

Doors Open: 9:15 AM

Press Logistics:

- Press entrance is at Marion Avenue and Myrtle Avenue (there is no street address)
- Preset at 7:00 am. Site closed from 8:00 am until doors open at 9:15 am
- Satellite truck parking at entrance. Staff will be on site to direct where to go upon arrival
- Need 400 feet of running cable if need to go live

- Credentials issued on-site

Restricted Items: Please see list of restricted items below



Wilmington, DE (Event)

Who: President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden and their families, and everyday Americans traveling on the Whistle Stop Tour

Where: Back of Wilmington Train Station, 100 South French Street, Wilmington, DE

Doors Open: 10:30 AM

Program Begins: 1:00 PM

Public Access: Event is free and open to the public. Food and hot coffee will be provided.

Public Entrance: 100 S. French Street (Entrance at Market St. and MLK Blvd.)

Public Parking: Available in the surrounding area

Restricted Items: Please see list of restricted items below

The United Way and the Delaware Food Bank are organizing the food drive. Event attendees are suggested to bring canned food (only) to be dropped off at the following locations:

- Barclays Parking Lot

- Orange & 5th St. Parking Lot



Edgewood, MD (‘Slow Roll’)

Who: General public

Where: Entrance is at Old Edgewood Road (off of US Rt. 40, 2127)

Doors Open: 12:00 PM

Public Access: Event is free and open to the public

Public Parking: Parking is available next to the site and at Edgewood High School, 2415 Willoughby

Beach Road. Shuttle buses will be available to and from the high school beginning at 12:00 PM.

Press Logistics

- Press entrance is at Edgewood Station, 2127 Old Edgewood Road (off of US Route 40)
- Preset at 9:00 AM. Site closed from 10:00 AM until doors open at 12:00 PM
- Need 200 feet of running cable if need to go live
- Plenty of parking for press vans, trucks, etc.
- Credentials issued on-site

Restricted Items: Please see list of restricted items below



Baltimore, MD (Event)

Who: President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden and their families, and everyday Americans traveling on the Whistle Stop Tour

Where: War Memorial Plaza, 101 N. Gay St., Baltimore, MD

Doors Open: 1:00 PM

Event Begins: 4:15 PM

Public Access: This event is free and open to the public. Food and hot coffee will be provided

Public Entrance: 101 N. Gay Street

Public Parking: General Parking available at Camden Yards Sports Complex for $5.00. Transportation using Light Rail to Baltimore Street Station for a fee.

Note: Extremely cold weather is predicted. The Baltimore Heath Department has provided the public with tips to stay warm and safe: http://www.baltimorehealth.org.

Citizens Joining Obama on Whistle Stop Tour

Today, Obama meets with past presidents and tomorrow, he'll give an economic speech. In a few minutes, he's holding a press conference.
Then there's this:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee announced that a group of everyday Americans has been invited by President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden to join them on the Whistle Stop Tour to Washington, D.C. the Saturday before the Inauguration.

These everyday Americans from all walks of life have made extraordinary contributions to the life of this country - the worker who became a champion for workers’ rights, the soldier who became an advocate for servicemen and women suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; those who have lost their jobs and struggle bravely to cope in economic turmoil, and those who work tirelessly to make real the dream of a better future for their children.

“Each one of these families has their own remarkable story to add to our American story, and we’re thrilled they’ve agreed to join us as we travel to Washington,“ said Josh Earnest, PIC Communications Director.

The invited guests include the following: Mark Dowell, Crestwood, KY; Matt Kuntz, Helena, MT; Jim and Alicia Girardeau, Kansas City, MO; Juliana Sanchez, Albuquerque, NM; Rosa Mendoza, Las Vegas, NV; Lisa Hazirjian, Cleveland, OH; Kirsten Meehan, Dover, NH; Roy Gross, Taylor, MI; Shandra Jackson, Arlington, TX; Quincy Lucas, Dover, DE; Patricia Stiles, Parker, CO; Gregg Weaver, Fairless Hills, PA; Tony Fischer, Cinncinati, OH; Lilly Ledbetter, Jacksonville, AL; Mike and Cheryl Fisher, Beech Grove, IN; and Randy Wehrman, LeClair, IA.

The PIC previously announced details of the Whistle Stop Tour. In the tradition of past Presidents-elect, there will be a series of events open to the public as the First and Second families make their way to the nation’s capital. The group of Americans traveling with the Obamas and Bidens will also appear on stage with them at the public events.

In keeping with the theme of the 2009 Inauguration, “Renewing America’s Promise,“ the President-elect and Vice President-elect will hold events in some of the cities instrumental to that promise: Philadelphia, where that promise was realized; Baltimore, where that promise was defended, then immortalized in our national anthem; and Washington, where Americans of all backgrounds will gather over four days, united in common purpose and resolved to renew that promise once more.

Saturday morning, January 17th, President-elect Obama and his family will hold an event in Philadelphia before boarding a train for Wilmington, Delaware, where they will be joined by Vice President-elect Biden and his family. Together, the families will travel to Baltimore and hold another event, before finally arriving in Washington, D.C.

For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, please visit www.pic2009.org.