People wait in line outside of Gone Wired Cafe, 2021 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing on Saturday to get tickets to see Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speak in Lansing today. The line wrapped from the front of the building to the alley behind it.
—Democratic party officials say presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., will unveil his national energy plan during his visit to Lansing at 11 a.m today.
Obama will be at the Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave., to speak about the nation’s energy issues and outline how he hopes to wean the nation from its dependence on foreign oil.
“Senator Obama’s speech in Lansing will outline his New Energy for America plan that will provide an immediate energy rebate to Americans struggling with high gas prices, create five million new green jobs, and eliminate our need for Middle Eastern oil in 10 years,” an e-mail from Obama’s Michigan campaign office stated.
The number of tickets that were issued for the event has not been released, but Griffin Rivers, chair of the Ingham County Democratic Party, said the room where Obama will speak has a capacity of about 1,500.
Seating for ticket holders is on a first come, first serve basis.
Lansing officials have arranged to reduce traffic lanes on Michigan Avenue between Larch Street and Grand Avenue in anticipation of additional spectators gathering outside the Lansing Center, Lansing Director of Public Works Chad Gamble said.
Gamble said full lane closures could occur if the crowd is large enough.
Psychology junior Collin Webster said he does not have tickets to today’s event, but he still plans to take the day off work to join the crowd outside the Lansing Center and “spend as much as I need to” to get inside.
“I’ve seen him speak once before but it wasn’t enough,” Webster said.
“It was like going to a rock concert. I’ve never seen people be more excited about a politician.”
Rivers said he expects Obama’s appearance today to be the first of many visits to the area this campaign season.
“He’s going to be spending quite a bit of time in and out of Michigan,” Rivers said.
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is scheduled to visit the state on Tuesday, but he will not make a public appearance, campaign spokeswoman Leah Yoon said.
Yoon would not comment on the purpose of McCain’s visit, but said he will be on a tour of an undisclosed location.
Detroit Edison spokesman John Austerberry confirmed Sunday that McCain is planning to visit the company’s Fermi 2 nuclear power plant near Monroe.
The visit will not be open to the public, Austerberry said.
“Obviously, being a nuclear plant, there are security issues that would make that very, very difficult,” he said.
McCain’s campaign has focused on nuclear power and other forms of clean energy as alternatives to oil.
Yoon said McCain will make a public visit to the state before the November election.
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