Election Night In Grant Park: Construction Begins

Did Obama not get the memo on the state of our economy? This is a blatant act of superiority if you ask me. How dare they put on this huge dog and pony show while hard working people are losing their homes, retirement and their well being. Take heed my fellow Americans-this is only the beginning if he makes it to the White House. Brings to mind the old quote, "Let them eat cake."

Oct 22, 2008 6:43 pm US/Central
City Vows To Bill Obama Campaign For All Costs Associated With Massive Outdoor Bash
Reporting - Mike Flannery
CHICAGO (CBS) ― Construction is underway for a massive stage in Chicago where Barack Obama could declare victory on election night. Tens of thousands are expected to gather in Grant Park just 13 days from now. One way or another, that huge crowd will witness history.

CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports that 1996 was actually the last election night when both major party candidates did speak publicly. In the close elections of 2000 and 2004, that did not happen. Preparations to accommodate a big crowd in Grant Park are already underway.

Wednesday, workers were assembling what they said was a platform that would hold a giant TV screen for an election night gathering in downtown Chicago's front yard.

No one really knows how many people will come to the lakefront's Grant Park on Nov. 4. Weather will likely play a role. It was warm and sunny a few days ago in St. Louis when Barack Obama drew an estimated 100,000 to the banks of the Mississippi River.

Grant Park is used to giant gatherings from the annual Lollapalooza music festival and the Taste of Chicago to rallies for Michael Jordan's old Chicago Bulls. What may have been the largest crowd in the city's history -- at least 350,000 -- gathered in the park to watch Pope John Paul II celebrate a Catholic mass.

City officials have been planning for election night for months.

"That's what we're talking about…it's all about safety," Mayor Daley said. The mayor said only that today.

Others said he's concerned about security and about not sticking taxpayers for what may be millions of dollars in extra costs.

Daley's press secretary Jacqueline Heard told CBS 2 News the Office of Emergency Management has been meeting with the Obama campaign.

"We are demanding payment guarantees from the Obama campaign up front," Heard said. "Taxpayers cannot be asked to pay for a political party. "We will bill the Obama campaign for city services needed. We may apply for Homeland Security money to pay for police and fire costs."

Obama is charging hefty fees for TV stations to get the better camera spots. But they maintain they won't make any profit by the event, hoping just to break even.

"There'll be a vast grassy area where the public and the news media can watch Barack Obama for free," said Obama spokesman Justin DeJong.

Again, that's assuming that Obama has anything to say publicly. The outdoor nomination ceremony at the Democratic Convention in Denver was produced by filmmaker Steven Spielberg. There is no word on who is going to create the Grant Park stage.