Sights and sounds as Lawrence awaits Obama at KU
The President of the United States, Barack Obama, arrived in Lawrence last night.
This morning, around 11:25 a.m., he’s set to give a speech at Kansas University in front of thousands who lined up for tickets earlier in the week.
If you weren’t able to secure a ticket, don’t panic. We will stream the President’s remarks here on LJWorld.com.
President Obama speaks at KU
360 degree shot of Anshutz Sports Pavillion. pic.twitter.com/VkYkBMuaxk
— Caitlin Doornbos (@CaitlinDoornbos) January 22, 2015
https://vine.co/v/OIHYOmMtHeO
Chancellor Gray-Little welcoming the crowd to #POTUSatKU pic.twitter.com/p9S3Ltt4Mq
— Tim Caboni (@caboni) January 22, 2015
https://vine.co/v/OIH39PheYW3
"We welcome him with what Teddy Roosevelt called the best cheer he ever heard, Barack Chalk!" -Gray-Little #POTUSatKU (ni)
— Lawrence Magazine (@lawrencemag) January 22, 2015
https://vine.co/v/OIHlIgn9OXq
#KU men's basketball team has entered the room and are seated in the bleachers near the band. #POTUSatKU @KansanNews pic.twitter.com/BPBVa2EDvw
— Riley Mortensen (@RileyMortensen) January 22, 2015
https://vine.co/v/OIwaJD5vqnI
"Hello, Kansas!" #POTUSatKU pic.twitter.com/OiVYDcu3Lz
— Lawrence Magazine (@lawrencemag) January 22, 2015
https://vine.co/v/OIwWKhqXmLZ
"Hello Kansas. Rock Chalk!…I've got deep roots in Kansas…I'm a Kansas guy." #POTUSatKU pic.twitter.com/xFfmEUhvXI
— Rochelle Valverde (@RochelleVerde) January 22, 2015
Just met Obama #KU
— Cliff Alexander (@CAlexander) January 22, 2015
Just finished coolin' with Obama.
It was an honor meeting President @BarackObama this morning and listening to him speak… He's the real #1 lol pic.twitter.com/jRtdCDAJQs
— Wayne Selden Jr. (@WayneSeldenJr) January 22, 2015
Coach Self has won 10-straight, I've lost 2-straight in Kansas. But I've won sections of Lawrence. pic.twitter.com/lDL6wPXmfQ
— Caitlin Doornbos (@CaitlinDoornbos) January 22, 2015
Obama discussing his goals for the economy #potusatku pic.twitter.com/yDydPzXgtB
— LJWorld KU News (@LJW_KU) January 22, 2015
"The typical family this year should save about $750 at the gas pump." #POTUSatKU pic.twitter.com/DYwpe5zLsq
— Lawrence Magazine (@lawrencemag) January 22, 2015
Obama: "More young people like you are finishing college than ever before." #POTUSatKU
— LJWorld KU News (@LJW_KU) January 22, 2015
Lawrence/KU crowd gives a larger cheer for POTUS shout-out to wind power than it does for his noting cheap gas prices. #POTUSatKU
— Lawrence Magazine (@lawrencemag) January 22, 2015
"Providing opportunity for everybody works." -Obama #POTUSatKU
— Lawrence Magazine (@lawrencemag) January 22, 2015
Obama on middle class economics working: "The ruling on the field stands." He followed it with a chuckle. Such a sports fan.
— Matt Tait (@mctait) January 22, 2015
Obama pushing affordable childcare to help economy: "It is time that we stop treating child care as a side issue." #POTUSatKU
— LJWorld KU News (@LJW_KU) January 22, 2015
"Affordable childcare and early childhood education aren't just nice to have, but a must have." #POTUSatKU
— Rochelle Valverde (@RochelleVerde) January 22, 2015
Obama: Childcare costs more than a year's tuition at a state university. #POTUSatKU Someone tailored this speech well to this community.
— Lawrence Magazine (@lawrencemag) January 22, 2015
Huge crowd cheers to proposition of making sure women make the same amount of pay as men. pic.twitter.com/JP2rKda1Tf
— Caitlin Doornbos (@CaitlinDoornbos) January 22, 2015
Obama on student loans: Want to work with congress to help students find way to refinance and lower payments #POTUSatKU
— LJWorld KU News (@LJW_KU) January 22, 2015
Obama gets lots of cheers for mention of goal to provide free community college #POTUSatKU
— LJWorld KU News (@LJW_KU) January 22, 2015
"The good news is, Lawrence gets it." #POTUSatKU
— Rochelle Valverde (@RochelleVerde) January 22, 2015
"At some point you gotta say yes on something. Tell me what you want to do." Prez on political gridlock.
— Caitlin Doornbos (@CaitlinDoornbos) January 22, 2015
https://vine.co/v/OIwOFjPrxEh
President is down there in this huddle shaking the hands of a few very lucky attendees. pic.twitter.com/Ffv0QnbJoh
— Caitlin Doornbos (@CaitlinDoornbos) January 22, 2015
Catch up on the rest of the morning’s developments below …
Air Force One lands in Kansas; Obama overnights in Lawrence
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2015/jan/21/president-obama-arrives-lawrence-speech-ku-thursda/
Line begins to form at Anschutz Sports Pavilion
A number of KU and Haskell students were chosen to sit near the President during today’s event.
Here's the scene inside burge union where guests sitting on the risers behind the president are gathered @KansanNews pic.twitter.com/p1HtgeJmHG
— Miranda Davis (@mirandardavis) January 22, 2015
http://twitter.com/goodfox/status/558264632423776257
@kansasBSU waiting to see @BarackObama. Leaving a strong legacy @KUnews @kmbc @KCTV5 #Obama #excellence pic.twitter.com/lNSySt0JsI
— Joshua Robinson (@JRobinson_news) January 22, 2015
Our representatives waiting to hear @BarackObama speech. #POTUSatKU @KUnews pic.twitter.com/UXxLaOPY4x
— KU OMA (@KU_OMA) January 22, 2015
Dean Ann Brill and these J-School students are ready for the president's speech today. #POTUSatKU @KansanNews pic.twitter.com/LwdpCCa0Va
— KU J-School (@KUJournalism) January 22, 2015
Many of their classmates were in line early Thursday morning.
#POTUSatKU RT @mikeyoderljw: KU students in line Thursday a.m. to see Pres. Obama. pic.twitter.com/VulEQkxhPc
— Lawrence Journal-World (@LJWorld) January 22, 2015
http://twitter.com/emma_mja/status/558246828005527554
#POTUSatKU RT @mikeyoderljw: KU students in line Thurs am to see Obama. pic.twitter.com/JDciIYlCAQ
— Lawrence Journal-World (@LJWorld) January 22, 2015
#POTUSatKU RT @mikeyoderljw: Keeping warm and waiting in line to see Pres. Obama. pic.twitter.com/jiVcn4B6Xe
— Lawrence Journal-World (@LJWorld) January 22, 2015
#POTUSatKU RT @mikeyoderljw: Crowd outside Anschutz at KU Thurs. 7:20am pic.twitter.com/tB7tMRU04Q
— Lawrence Journal-World (@LJWorld) January 22, 2015
Doors open 8:30. #POTUSatKU
RT @mikeyoderljw: 8:10 am outside Anschutz at KU waiting to see Obama. pic.twitter.com/hqLZiwOEV3
— Lawrence Journal-World (@LJWorld) January 22, 2015
Joining the rest of the masses #POTUSatKU https://t.co/Ep7r7DGTSF
— Lawrence Magazine (@lawrencemag) January 22, 2015
That arrow means end of the line because it's hard to find it with the president in #lfk #POTUSatKU pic.twitter.com/9Nrlwk6J8Q
— Lawrence Magazine (@lawrencemag) January 22, 2015
It wouldn't be a presidential visit without plenty of security. @KUnews' guide to #POTUSatKU: http://t.co/u1IwAsWt4w pic.twitter.com/BDl3E3v60H
— Lawrence Journal-World (@LJWorld) January 22, 2015
Bit of a line to see #POTUSatKU . pic.twitter.com/culOYe43Bg
— Chad Lawhorn (@clawhorn_ljw) January 22, 2015
11 minutes after set entrance time of 8:30, Anshutz doors still closed. KHP Trooper said officials still waiting for the White House "OK."
— Caitlin Doornbos (@CaitlinDoornbos) January 22, 2015
Cheers erupt as line through security starts moving. #potusatku pic.twitter.com/5vs6BiOnkc
— VP Durham (@TammaraDurham) January 22, 2015
https://vine.co/v/OIXEPpMIdve
Child care center behind Anschutz Sports Pavilion showing President #Obama some love! #POTUSatKU @KansanNews pic.twitter.com/A725J3fMyf
— Riley Mortensen (@RileyMortensen) January 22, 2015
Line to get in now snakes up Daisy Hill. #POTUSatKU pic.twitter.com/Mf8RsoKNkD
— Chad Lawhorn (@clawhorn_ljw) January 22, 2015
#POTUSatKU pic.twitter.com/tQfwMP3WLS
— Lawrence Magazine (@lawrencemag) January 22, 2015
A little preview as to what's coming. No moshing…yet. #POTUSatKU pic.twitter.com/hKedDWUaPy
— Lawrence Magazine (@lawrencemag) January 22, 2015
https://vine.co/v/OIHWepLdlTV
https://vine.co/v/OIH7Adap9zu
Lots and lots of people here at KU for President Obama. pic.twitter.com/pvlyBkJnvw
— Karen Dillon (@karensdillon) January 22, 2015
Not bad for 2 hours 'till pic.twitter.com/emJ14tWfx8
— Lawrence Magazine (@lawrencemag) January 22, 2015
Selling donuts to crowd under a tent with a mizzou logo. Now that is reason to protest. #POTUSatKU pic.twitter.com/DSsigd4erS
— Chad Lawhorn (@clawhorn_ljw) January 22, 2015
Asked one person why they put up with line and all hassle. Answer: idealism. Hopefully that comes with comfy shoes. #POTUSatKU
— Chad Lawhorn (@clawhorn_ljw) January 22, 2015
.@MusicKU Wind Ensemble is rocking some Star Wars and people love it! #POTUSatKU
— Ashley Puenner (@apuenner) January 22, 2015
A sea of people inside Anschutz awaiting Obama's appearance #potusatku pic.twitter.com/k23Jn3G3Ml
— LJWorld KU News (@LJW_KU) January 22, 2015
Manning, Ellis, selden, t. Self graham oubre #POTUSatKU and a couple other KU BB players enter anschutz wearing finery
— Chad Lawhorn (@clawhorn_ljw) January 22, 2015
Funny to listen to people as they turn corner and see line. Not PG rated. #potusatku
— Chad Lawhorn (@clawhorn_ljw) January 22, 2015
Lots of people already in place. #POTUSatKU pic.twitter.com/o8DxUC8xRD
— Rochelle Valverde (@RochelleVerde) January 22, 2015
Should've tried to sneak in with the #kubball team. #POTUSatKU #LFK #hidingbehindperry pic.twitter.com/7EH1gT0Rbo
— Mary Lou Wretched (@wrtrgrl77) January 22, 2015
Waiting for Obama inside Anschutz Sports Pavilion at KU #potusatku pic.twitter.com/kksHx17Cda
— LJWorld KU News (@LJW_KU) January 22, 2015
Gonna be a line everywhere today. #POTUSatKU pic.twitter.com/yfOOr2D6VE
— Lawrence Magazine (@lawrencemag) January 22, 2015
https://vine.co/v/OIH651TDKbw
Students dressed in their finest on the stage behind the podium. #POTUSatKU pic.twitter.com/jAP40E39iE
— Rochelle Valverde (@RochelleVerde) January 22, 2015
Select KU and Haskell students just took place on risers behind podium #potusatku pic.twitter.com/lbHbgsukwY
— LJWorld KU News (@LJW_KU) January 22, 2015
Presidents motorcade rolling into the Pavilion #RockChalkBarack #POTUSatKU @KansanNews @KUJHTV pic.twitter.com/kba4a937HV
— Cailey Taylor (@CaileyTaylorTV) January 22, 2015
Mom w small kid at #POTUSatKU: "Now you won't understand a lot of what he talks about, so just be polite and follow my lead on clapping."
— Justin Henning (@jjhenning) January 22, 2015
All full. #POTUSatKU MT @karensdillon: Bunch of people stood in line but got here too late the day of event. Bad luck pic.twitter.com/zOT6IWy7n4
— Lawrence Journal-World (@LJWorld) January 22, 2015
"He's coming to red state Kansas but to blue city of Lawrence to be able to talk about how his policies can work for everybody" -KU prof
— Caitlin Doornbos (@CaitlinDoornbos) January 22, 2015
That was quote from KU political science professor Christina Bejarano. pic.twitter.com/BSTBZ6w1rf
— Caitlin Doornbos (@CaitlinDoornbos) January 22, 2015
Just caught a peek at Obama's speech in this woman's hands. His opener includes a "Rock Chalk!" pic.twitter.com/aX4mKqMNqv
— Caitlin Doornbos (@CaitlinDoornbos) January 22, 2015
Left behind blankets and packs outside Anschutz at KU durin Pres. Obama visit. pic.twitter.com/ry9SqDWVTf
— Mike Yoder (@mikeyoderljw) January 22, 2015
Anshutz Sports Pavilion looking like Allen Field House. Packed house. #POTUSatKU pic.twitter.com/FLjzAelQuf
— Caitlin Doornbos (@CaitlinDoornbos) January 22, 2015
360 degree shot of Anshutz Sports Pavillion. pic.twitter.com/VkYkBMuaxk
— Caitlin Doornbos (@CaitlinDoornbos) January 22, 2015
Austin Kruse and Evan Lay, KU students, say they missed a once in a lifetime chance today when they were late. pic.twitter.com/frKq82wgB8
— Karen Dillon (@karensdillon) January 22, 2015
Between 50 and 100 get turned away even though have tickets. Turned away about 10:30 people upset #POTUSatKU
— Chad Lawhorn (@clawhorn_ljw) January 22, 2015
Crowd turned away says people inside venue have called and said there is room inside. #POTUSatKU
— Chad Lawhorn (@clawhorn_ljw) January 22, 2015
Between 50-100 people, including the Alam family from KC, MO. were turned away as security barred entrance at 10:30 pic.twitter.com/68DVWH4Tni
— Mike Yoder (@mikeyoderljw) January 22, 2015
Saleh Alameri, freshman from UAE: U don't always get a chance to see the president. I'd rather seize the moment than fly away" #POTUSatKU
— LJWorld KU News (@LJW_KU) January 22, 2015
Zora Jenney, freshman: As soon as I found out he was going to b here I was just over the moon, never thought he would come to ks #POTUSatKU
— LJWorld KU News (@LJW_KU) January 22, 2015
Before heading to KU’s Anschutz Sports Pavilion, President Obama stopped by Community Children’s Center.
#POTUSatKU at Community Children’s Center, Plymouth Congregational Church. Was possible stop: http://t.co/zjJnMdXlzP pic.twitter.com/m7A2QfyQxL
— Lawrence Journal-World (@LJWorld) January 22, 2015
@LJWorld great picture by @Darrah_
— Stephanie A. Harris (@StephAtStephens) January 22, 2015
#POTUS #POTUSatKU at Plymouth congregational preschool @LJWorld pic.twitter.com/8YiiR0NENE
— Nick Krug (@nickkrug) January 22, 2015
Photo: President Obama visits a Head Start center in Lawrence, Kansas (from @tamarakeithNPR) pic.twitter.com/64RFLblq80
— NPR Politics (@nprpolitics) January 22, 2015
Obama is starting today at the Community Children’s Center in Lawrence, which opened in 1965 with one of first US Head Start grants.
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) January 22, 2015
Obama with kids in Kansas. "What's your name?" one asks. "I'm Barack!" pic.twitter.com/saNcZYFoS2
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) January 22, 2015
One child asks Obama, what was your dream? #POTUS says when he was young he wanted to be an architect.
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) January 22, 2015
Obama tells the youngsters more problems could be solved if people were like Dr Seuss's Sneetches.
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) January 22, 2015
Obama jokes w/ a little girl during surprise visit to the Community Children’s Center in Lawrence, Kansas. #headstart pic.twitter.com/UjSgbaT5SG
— Doug Mills (@dougmillsnyt) January 22, 2015
Got to see the pres! #potusatku pic.twitter.com/qiNnixEDZ0
— Scott Wagner (@rscottwagner) January 22, 2015
Protesters were staged on and near campus.
Protestors group at Lied Center. Prepare to march to speech site. pic.twitter.com/wGyDPk9KUl
— Mike Yoder (@mikeyoderljw) January 22, 2015
Young Americans of Liberty protesting President Obama outside of Burge Union. pic.twitter.com/MoJjz1R2by
— Josh Kurelac (@JoshKRCG13) January 22, 2015
Overpasses for America setting up protest on Irving hill overpass. Impeach Obama. Deport Obama among the signs #POTUSatKU
— Chad Lawhorn (@clawhorn_ljw) January 22, 2015
Protest on overpass not large about 8 people. Group is from Mo. #POTUSatKU
— Chad Lawhorn (@clawhorn_ljw) January 22, 2015
YoungAmericans for Liberty protesting pic.twitter.com/WtFfnfmb4Z
— Karen Dillon (@karensdillon) January 22, 2015
Then busted pic.twitter.com/w6stEOb0TT
— Karen Dillon (@karensdillon) January 22, 2015
Now what?Address authorities are calling in reinforcements. pic.twitter.com/OwgNmr28qd
— Karen Dillon (@karensdillon) January 22, 2015
Officials blinked. These protesters did not have to go to the designated protest area, a quarter-mile away. pic.twitter.com/lEAPxNgLXS
— Karen Dillon (@karensdillon) January 22, 2015
At 15th and Iowa. Protesters against keystone pipeline. #POTUSatKU pic.twitter.com/9B0DFFZO7c
— Chad Lawhorn (@clawhorn_ljw) January 22, 2015
Protestors of all ages. 4 year old Everett White with bullhorn and opinions about Keystone. #POTUSatKU pic.twitter.com/G7s7yMugON
— Chad Lawhorn (@clawhorn_ljw) January 22, 2015
"Don't be chicken, use your veto," they chant at keystone rally. Complete with rubber chicken. #POTUSatKU pic.twitter.com/Ki7SBsQz6x
— Chad Lawhorn (@clawhorn_ljw) January 22, 2015