How Asheville’s Twitter users covered President Obama’s visit to Asheville

Below is a compilation of the Tweets before, during and after President Barack Obama’s Asheville visit on Oct. 17. And below that, the live Twitter coverage continues in two feeds: moderated and unmoderated.

The president flew to the Asheville Regional Airport, where he addressed ticketed members of the public at 10:50 a.m. After that, he will travel by bus to Hickory and North Wilkesboro.

Photo by Robert Stoutamire © 2011. On Twitter @robstout1

@McRaeHilliard:   • A good place to try to see Air Force One landing is from the Lowe’s parking lot on Airport Road.
@Buncombian:   • Just saw @CNCarterNC and the lovely Kimberly! They are sitting in the bleachers directly behind where will be speaking.
@democratunc:   • @susanfisher2010 at @BarackObama rally at @flyavlnow   http: //t.co/wsEgWuV
@McRaeHilliard:   • Unusual helicopter noise in Arden. How long before we hear the fighter jets?
@AWMooneyCNN:   • POTUS in his bus-touring attire…brown slacks, button down shirt. Just departed South Lawn.
@ORGANICCA:   • @McRaeHilliard helicopters just flew over our house!.
@WataugaRoads:   • Report that Pres will come up 321 from Lenoir. Lenoir firemen to help block roads on that route we’re told.
@Buncombian:   • I’m to the left of the #avlpotus podium, about 4 people back. It is PACKED and the excitement is palpable. Clearly this is 1st time 4 many.
@gordondsmith:   • Some ppl got here early enough to get grandstand seats. http: //t.co/rWHPWSgj
@jatkin02:   • NOTAM designating airspace restrictions around #AVL for the President’s visit: http: //t.co/DkmZ16Z7
@newsradio570:   • Presidential Helicopter just landed accompanied by Chinook helicopter escort.
@DineandCook:   • @foodtopia Any word on where POTUS might eat in #Asheville this time around? Inquiring minds would like to know
@kimruehl:   • The Bluth Family airplane stairs have been moved into place just beyond the line of snow plows (?).
@gordondsmith:   • 9:41am Mayor Bellamy is here with her family. http: //t.co/RkaYooKb
@fobes:   • Everyone must be out of Watauga High School by 1: 30pm http: //t.co/clwXvFhZ
@fobes:   • .@THM_18 But if #avlpotus is likely to be at Watauga High not too long after 1: 30pm, how can he have lunch in Avl?
@Buncombian:   • Cecil Bothwell & Gordon Smith from city council are here. Carol Peterson, county commish also.
@jclieberman:   • According to @880revolution #avlpotus ‘copter has landed-all I see is Capt Jeff Augram&lots of men n dark suits&dark glasse
@SenatorHagan:   • On the way to @flyavlnow to join the President as he touches down in NC
@philgoodstory:   • It’ll be a few more hours til #avlPOTUS is here, but 1st distinguishable wave of Secrt Srvce pulled in- & they roll deep
@kimruehl:   • Huge black bus. Who knows what’s inside?
@fobes:   • .@THM_18 Why not? If #avlpotus has to keep moving to Watauga, he could get carry out TwelveBones for the bus ride!
@fobes:   • Photos of line in West Wilkes of folks waiting to see Obama when he gets there http: //t.co/mC2zBvyf
@kimruehl:   • My guess is that’s his tour bus. DC plates. People taking photos of the exciting unmarked plain black bus.
@casey_electra:   • Crowd is cheering for what we assume will be Obama’s NC tour bus
@newsradio570:   • bus which #POTUS will depart on trip across state just arrived to cheers from crowd http: //t.co/UI3Wlr1
@phetched:   • Dudes on hangar roof unloading what looks to be giant rifle bags.
@democratunc:   • Secure bus for @BarackObama at @flyavlnow for the bus tour http: //t.co/hFWQig5
@OrangeMaNPD:   • Snipers are here. #potus
@McRaeHilliard:   • More choppers over Arden.
@JakeFrankel:   • Just arrived on the scene at #avlpotus http: //t.co/ni8S6vU
@JakeFrankel:   • Just arrived on the scene at http: //t.co/y94s965e
@kimruehl:   • Secret service just doubled. Sharpshooters on roof. One sniper is a lady. …
@democratunc:   • 9:56am Snipers in position   http: //t.co/cu3wRue
@Buncombian:   • County Commissioner Holly Jones!  http: //t.co/o7MsV8o9
@casey_electra:   • Secret service is getting big cheers on the roof of a building next to hangar 7, helicopters now circling too
@Buncombian:   • #avlpotus helicopter?? http: //t.co/ejbAs09f
@gordondsmith:   • Command Center behind the grandstand.  http: //t.co/RcPNh84
@JakeFrankel:   • Just arrived on the scene at #avlpotus http: //t.co/hKXfuof
@JakeFrankel:   • Feels like a relatively intimate affair, an unusual chance to be so close to a sitting Prez, everyone huddled around the podium
@gordondsmith:   • Coal lobby handing out “Coal equals Jobs” hats. http: //t.co/LeyP9KbD
@880revolution:   • Security now on roof over looking #POTUS podium. On constant lookout around area.  http: //t.co/yxdbfzB
@jatkin02:   • Black bus one of two owned by Secret Service for POTUS & other dignitaries….
@samyoungman:   • my guess is that by the end of this bus trip, we’ll have a better sense of just how close POTUS wants 2 b to OWS
@jclieberman:   • podium just uncovered-the crowd is getting restles
@JakeFrankel:   • Just got told by a PR handler that i wasnt allowed to cross the media barricade to mingle with crowd. #lame
@WestWingReport:   • Air Force One rolling 9: 35 and wheels up for Asheville #avlnews avlpotu
@asheville:   • C-T reporter Jon Ostendorff & photographer Erin Brethauer r part of national press pool. They will be w/ #avlpotus all da
@JakeFrankel:   • Just walked by a young woman as she was vomiting near press area. Now getting medic attention. Hope she’s OK.
@DynamiteRoastin:   • There goes Marine 1, flying east over I-40. , #avlobam
@McRaeHilliard:   • 10:08am Huge unmarked plane, looked like a re Fueling plane. Just Buzzed Lowes Parking lot.
@gordondsmith:   • The Chairman, David Gantt. http: //t.co/d37dd9m3
@WataugaRoads:   • CNN confirming “off the record stops” today http: //t.co/HCJjSuY
@McRaeHilliard:   • About 200 people in the Lowes parking lot to get a glimpse of Air Force One landing.
@JakeFrankel:   • Sen. Hagan just walked up, shaking hands with folks http: //t.co/hHAts9WP
@light_writer:   • Interesting to note how light the air traffic is over WNC right now.
@jyenne:   • CNN says speech will be @ 10: 50
@jatkin02:   • Dulcet tones of fighter jet in the north #AVL sky preceding the President’s arrival.
@WataugaRoads:   • @fobes officially it says Millers Creek but they are confirming off the record stops, just not saying where
@JakeFrankel:   • John Boyle w AC-T here pretending to work, doodling cartoons and calling college buddies to talk football http: //t.co/MdsvtqBU
@Ashevegas:   • soon time for folks to come out and warm up the crowd. 
@880revolution:   • Benediction, Pledge of Allegiance, and National Anthem being done.  http: //t.co/Xk1msN9
@WataugaRoads:   • Motorcade in Watauga [10: 04 update] http: //t.co/NtYGTg9v
@Buncombian:   • BCFD color guard at #avlpotus http: //t.co/IQ4hQfLx
@gunterhoos:   • Stars Spangled Banner sung and all await #POTUS arrival
@JakeFrankel:   • And now it’s time to play “I spy @jonathanammons !”  http: //t.co/uTuKHd3E
@democratunc:   • Buncombe County Fire color guard   http: //t.co/HdUhUtt
@McRaeHilliard:   • 2 commercial flights have just taken off. I thought airspace was closed.
@Buncombian:   • It’s like an air show out here. We’re getting to see all kinds of aircraft up close & personal.
@McRaeHilliard:   • 10:31am Black & gray chopper just buzzed the runway. Security sweep?
@Buncombian:   • Standing next to Rep. Patsy Keever who is logging on to twitter as we speak.  @keevercampaign
@JakeFrankel:   • Anyone spotted Rep. Shuler? Is he here?
@McRaeHilliard:   • 2 white trucks just drove length of runway.
@bernardshuford:   • Did I just see AF1 go over Candler?  4 engine swept wing. Can’t imagine what else would be at 10K feet ASL
@880revolution:   • Crowd begins to chant “Lined Up, Ready To Go!”
@KathiPetersen:   • Chanting crowd! 
@light_writer:   • Air Force One just banked in over my head in Flat Rock. 
@amyburritt:   • Honored to have been able to sing our national anthem for the #avlpotus visit @flyavlnow. #av
@kimruehl:   • 10:39am Here comes air force one!  #avlobam
@McRaeHilliard:   • See the plane. Hear sirens.
@KathiPetersen:   • Here they come!!  #avlobam
@casey_electra:   • Just attached the official Presidential seal to the podium, crowd chanting “fired up ready to go”
@jclieberman:   • Secret service just came by& told those of us on front shake hands no long hugs w #avlpotus #nervouswreck no
@IngridNews13:   • Obama has landed at the airport.
@JakeFrankel:   • Big cheer as Air Force One touches down exactly on time.
@drewreisinger:   • Air force one touches down in #Asheville 10: 40am.  #avlobam
@Buncombian:   • #AF1 *squee* http: //t.co/xNLyZDfA
@jclieberman:   • #avlobama lands in Asheville http: //t.co/4MpELNp
@gordondsmith:   • Mayor Bellamy and Senator Hagan walking across the tarmac to greet the #potus.
@KeeverCampaign:   • @JakeFrankel #Shuler out of country
@hornnc:   • Only in Leicester do I get to hear AF-1 coming in AND gunfire in the woods at same time. Love living in the country!
@Buncombian:   • Sen Kay Hagan & Mayor Bellamy go out to meet
@McRaeHilliard:   • Touch down.  http: //t.co/6mrGYM2
@flyavlnow:   • http: //t.co/aG9CopCW now arriving at AVL!
@samyoungman:   • part of #avlPOTUS trip is highlighting need for airport $. Hope AF1 doesn’t tear up Asheville runway. It has happened be
@casey_electra:   • Air Force One approaching the stage, crowd chanting “yes we can”
@880revolution:   • Air Force 1 pulling up to stairs.  #POTUS http: //t.co/qaWZtwy
@KathiPetersen:   • Short armed view #avlobama #toughbeingshort http: //t.co/2YiCarN
@casey_electra:   • 10:49am Obama’s off the plane, looking calm and approaching the stage

Photo by Robert Stoutamire © 2011. On Twitter @robstout1

@Ashevegas:   • everyone has a camera @avlobama
@JakeFrankel:   • Obama about to be greeted on the tarmac by Sen. Hagan and Mayor Bellamy.  http: //t.co/dE4n0yrr
@Ashevegas:   • Mayor Bellamy, Sen. Hagan and President Obama walking up. 
@ctcarol:   • Off the plane sporting a business casual look. No tie, lots of waves
@Buncombian:   • A very tiny #avlpotus (from my vantage point) http: //t.co/0Cef9zA0
@JakeFrankel:   • Obama walks with Hagan and Bellamy to podium, crowd chanting “4 more years!”
@Ashevegas:   • President Obama jobs up to the podium. 
@JakeFrankel:   • 10:52am Obama: I love Asheville! … I should be on the tourism board!
@Buncombian:   • #avlpotus jogs towards the stage http: //t.co/M2O2Vpon
@Ashevegas:   • I think I should be on the tourism promotion bureau of Asheville. 
@Ashevegas:   • Hello Asheville! It is good to be back in Asheville North Carolina. I love Asheville. 
@Ashevegas:   • It’s always nice to get out of Washington and breath some of that mountain air. 
@fredontv:   • President’s speech in Asheville, NC has started. Live now on @wspa7onyour side and WSPA.com
@JakeFrankel:   • Obama calls Bellamy “lovely and intelligent. … She’s doing an outstanding job”
@Ashevegas:   • Obama gives a shout-out to Sen. Kay Hagan, Mayor Terry Bellamy. 
@Buncombian:   • #avlpotus jokes that he should be on the Asheville tourism board.
@BlogAsheville:   • Betting “Asheville” is trending briefly as #Obama kicks off tour #avlnews #throttled
@Ashevegas   • I think I should be on the tourism promotion bureau of Asheville. 
@Ashevegas:   • Obama says Asheville airport runway needs repair, and taxiway in wrong spot. We could put people to work, he says. 
@Buncombian:   • #avlpotus talking about construction #jobs and the need for runway improvements at the AVL airport.
@WLOS_ABC13:   • You can also watch the President now live on News 13 or your smart phone.
@WataugaRoads:   • Motorcade in Watauga [10: 54 update] http: //t.co/SSZzDwCS
@kimruehl:   • That’s what America used to do best – we used to build things…we should be building in the USA.
@JakeFrankel:   • Obama: “We could be doing work right here at the Avl airport” cites runway “that needs to be widened”
@ctcarol:   • Lady in obama gear has her cell phone up to speaker so friend faraway can hear the speech. Gotta heart technology
@Ashevegas:   • and Obama says the GOP jobs bill wants to repeal health care. 
@JakeFrankel:   • Obama: 64% of Americans support my jobs bill but 100% of Repubs voted against it. Doesn’t make any sense.
@newsradio570:   • This bill will put people back to work and boost our economy right away
@newsradio570:   • We need to make it easier for small businesses to survive
@Ashevegas:   • Obama says Repubs have a jobs plan, too..says it boils down to gutting regs, let Wall St. have its way, drill more
@Ashevegas:   • I appreciate the ‘four more years,’ but I’m thinking about the next 13 months, Obama says to chanting crowd. 
@Ashevegas:   • Obama says some of you have been mad at me for trying too hard to cooperate w/ Republicans. 
@kimruehl:   • Obama: “You’re chanting four more years but I’m thinking about the next 13 months. A lot of people can’t wait…”
@Ashevegas:   • Obama says sometimes it’s not always all about politics, it’s about getting something done. 
@ctcarol:   • How can he see the teleprompters in this sun?  http: //t.co/xyihSAa
@JakeFrankel:   • Obama: I don’t think anyone would say I haven’t tried to find compromise with the GOP
@hopicecream:   • #AVLPotus Speech streaming here http: //t.co/g4zSbhI
@Buncombian:   • #avlpotus tag line “right now” is resonating with crowd.
@drewreisinger:   • Picturesque Obama in Asheville, NC. #ncpol http: //t.co/Jf8zABA
@kimruehl:   • I think that was an implicit shout out to the 99 percent #ows
@JakeFrankel:   • Obama on GOP legislators: “Maybe they couldn’t understand my jobs plan… They’re going to have to answer to to you”
@JakeFrankel:   • Obama urges crowd to “give members of congress a piece of your mind”
@newsradio570:   • I need you to give Congress a call. Send them a letter, Tweet them…
@Ashevegas:   • Let’s meet this moment. Let’s get to work. President’s speech is done. 
@kimruehl:   • We’ve got to step up. We’ve http get to work right now. Crowd answering “right now.”
@880revolution:   • 11:13am President wraps up after about a 20 minute speech. Shaking hands with crowd now.
@kimruehl:   • And that’s all. POTUS shaking hands etc. People shooting photos. Very quiet polite crowd this morning.
@JakeFrankel:   • Obama wraps up 20 minute speech w/ a call to action: “let’s get to work right now!” Shaking hands as he moves towards vader bus
@gordondsmith:   • Off the plane and onto the bus. http: //t.co/o6di1V9Y
@kimruehl:   • Right now is the new “Yes we can”?  #avlobam
@880revolution:   • Cameras raised and arms outstretched as #POTUS greets supporters.  http: //t.co/zGHF0JO
@WataugaRoads:   • Getting more reports of lots of police and sheriff vehicles staging in Lenoir right now
@BlogAsheville:   • And the #Obama livetweeter MVP award goes to @Ashevegas. Nice work.
@PushProduction:   • As usual, Pres. Obama donned a minimalist relaxed look; long-sleeved collar button-up, top buttons undone, brown belt & slacks
@PushProduction:   • Obama’s best contribution yet to fashion in politics: Lose the blazer, lose the tie.  #streetstyl
@McRaeHilliard:   • I 26 on ramp at Long Shoals is closed.
@ncjonyoung:   • Don’t get on I-26 west, traffic is stopped for the Prez http: //t.co/J6f0Yqd
@gmayer:   • My favorite part? The fighter jets at 40,000’ prolly f-16
@IngridNews13:   • Picture of Obama live http: //t.co/DTUPTlr
@jyenne:   • NC state patrol and AVL FD were gathered at I-26 WB and 191…got thru just in time #avlobam
@lesliesloan:   • All traffic heading south on Hendo and Sweeten Creek is blocked for #bestofluc
@KathiPetersen:   • Happy crowd leaving … All smiles
@lesliesloan:   • All traffic heading south on Hendo and Sweeten Creek is blocked for #avlpotus #bestofluck I should clarify, out of Biltmore village traffic is blocked
@McRaeHilliard:   • Where is the caravan?  #avlobam
@NewsWithNicole:   • String of Secret Service cars have already arrived at W. Wilkes HS. Preparing for @BarackObama’s visit this pm
@tupelohoneycafe:   • Tupelo Honey provided breakfast for press crew at Obama’s speech this… http: //t.co/K1VRvlEJ
@Buncombian:   • #occupyairportroad http: //t.co/wtlsQ7vu
@trampabroad:   • Fyi do not drive anywhere on 321 today. I’ve seen well over 50 state troopers in prep for POTUS. Plus fire/rescue
@kjridley:   • Tipton’s got their catering order from #POTUS last night. The guy who runs the smoker was up all night..
@ssspoonah:   • Hendersonville Rd north is a parking lot. Air Force One just flew over.
@lesliesloan:   • 11:50am 240 E/74a/40 e all at a standstill. I hope preschool teachers have a sense of humor

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Article originally posted on 2011-10-16 10:53:29 PM
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Moderated and unmoderated Twitter feeds for the president’s Asheville visit are below. Be aware that the Twitter feeds below do not “auto-refresh,” so be sure to refresh your browser window to see tweets that come in after you arrive on this page.