Obama Independence Day Pool Report

Pool Report #1 – At the Butte, Mont., July 4th Parade

At about 11:10, Sen. Obama got out of his seat at the grandstand and began making his way down the parade route. In olive green slacks and a checked shirt with rolled-up sleeves, the candidate shooks hands, kissed at least three babies, posed for pictures and signed autographs to a generally adoring crowd. He broke away to shake the hands of Montana National Guardsmen in a Humvee.

A nervous Secret Service said in refrain, “hands out of your pockets, everyone. If you have pens and pencils, put them away. Don't hand him anything. Pictures and handshakes are great.”

“Happy Fourth, everybody,” Obama shouted out repeatedly.

“We can't wait for the inaugural parade,” Linda Beischel of Helena told him.

“It'll be fun,” Obama replied.

Chants of O-BA-MA and “Yes We Can” broke out spontaneously as he approached. The candidate appeared to take no notice of the buxom supporter with the Hot Chicks for Obama badge pinned to her white tank top.

The jaunt took 25 minutes.

Although Montana gave Bush 59 percent of the vote in 2004, compared to Kerry's 39 percent, Butte's Silver Bow County, with its heavy union presence, is Democratic territory. Kerry won the county 57 percent to 40 percent.

Before the parade, Obama emerged from the Holiday Inn Express around 7:30 a.m. for a 10-minute drive to the Butte YMCA. He entered wearing his usual sweat pants, gray t-shirt, and, this time, a Secret Service baseball hat. Workout apparently over, he left a half hour later.