At this moment in time there are hundreds of people lined up at Dobson High School trying to get tickets to hear President Obama speak at the school on Wednesday, Feb 18.
Obama is supposed to be talking about his plans to fix the foreclosure mess – something that has hit the Phoenix real estate market particularly hard.
I went down to Dobson High in Mesa this morning just to take a peak at the crowd. It was INSANE! The line was a good half a mile long. A security guard told me the crowd was probably “over a thousand”.
Some media are reporting that 300 – 400 free tickets will be distributed. There are rumors that the White House may release more.
I chatted with several people, including some that had been in line since 10:00pm last night. Those in roughly the middle of the line arrived around 5:30 this morning.
It was quite a party atmosphere. Since it’s President’s Day, many small children were waiting as well.
There were people handing out boxes of doughnuts (and yes, I resisted the temptation) and vendors selling all sorts of Obama paraphernalia.
If anyone manages to get a ticket and goes, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
And if you missed the free tickets, I’m sure there will be some available on eBay or Craigslist shortly. There is already a post on Craigslist from someone looking for tickets and willing to pay $100 for two tickets.
More photos are available in my Flickr set.
Email This Post 
Print This Post
Previous post: [ Home Buyer Tax Credit Information ]
Next post: [ Obama to Roll Out “Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan” in Phoenix Today ]
Thanks for reading! We value your thoughts and opinions, so please feel free to leave a comment. Please contact us if you have any questions or need help. You can also get automatic updates for this blog free via:
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Gotta love the city of Sun!
Obama is not going to fix the foreclosure mess – buyers are going to be what fixes the foreclosure mess and people only buy in mass when they have the overwhelming feeling that things are going to get better, OR, and this is the big OR, you provide them with so many subsidies that you break everyone else’s back, which more than likely will be the Obama approach.
Gotta love the Valley of the Sun. Even tho it’s been un-sunny lately, how could you NOT love a town where people are standing outside for hours, on Feb 16, in shirtsleeves and light jackets?
Russ S – don’t know what’s happening in Montana, but here in metro Phoenix foreclosure properties are leading our recovery. Sales volume is way up, thanks to buyers who are thinking long term things WILL be better. Our problem is that prices keep plunging. In many neighborhoods prices are way below what should have been a reasonable, affordable ‘bottom’ (think $30 to $50 per square foot!). A few minor incentives from the feds would be most welcome hereabouts.
I think all Obama has to do is give a good speech, and give buyers a reason to be optimistic. We all know that there’s no amount of government intervention that can fix the market over night, but if the President went on TV and said now is the time to buy a lot of folks would run out and buy- the ones that are currently afraid to make a move.
**Jeremy Linder´s last blog post..Top 10 States for Foreclosures: Oregon at #5
I got in line at 2:30am – was #463 in line and I got my ticket to hear President Obama on Wed.
For those looking to BUY a ticket… Not going to happen, the tickets were free, illegal to sell and they took our names, addresses, phone number and ticket number – all of which will be matched up with our ID’s when we go on Wed.
Ruth – Thanks for the info on “ticket management”! Would LOVE for you to come back here and tell us what you thought of the speech!
Although from NJ, I spent a lot of the last 6 years in Ft. Myers, FLA. I love Ft. Myers and Obama visited the area nearly 2 weeks ago now. Hopefully Fox News is kinder to Phoenix than they were to Ft. Myers. As Obama was speaking the Fox News stamp on the TV was “Ft. Myers…America’s most depressed market”….and that wasn’t the end of it..they basically made us look like we were everything short of hell!! Good luck with the media. Hopefully you don’t get any Henrietta Hughes in Phonix. Hopefully you didn’t miss that!
As a Realtor that has been personally and professionally affected by the Foreclosure – Short Sale – (lacking) Loan Modifications, etc. I will be paying very close attention to what he has to say…. I have my two questions ready if by the grace of God I have the opportunity to ask.
Ruth – what did you think of the speech? How was it being there in person?
Wow, good thing you guys have mild winters there, or all those people in line through the night would freeze! I will have to be content with hearing about the speeches.
**Meg Zoller-Houston Realtor´s last blog post..Houston Real Estate Reaps Benefits of Statewide Population Growth
Obama really does draw in the crowds and the media. Being from the UK the chances I have of ever seeing or meeting him are very slim.
You guys are lucky too have him as president i know he will do a good job.
**bob fast´s last blog post..Mortgage Lenders Face Repossession
Where has Ruth gone? I’ve bookmarked this post checking back to see if Ruth or someone had given an update on how the speech was and what Obama actually addressed…but nothing! If anyone went or anyone heard about it I’d really appreciate the pass on.