LIVEBLOG: Party under way at the Nuthouse with Obama campaign

Michael Blake, Interim Political Director of the Obama Campaign in Michigan will join Todd Heywood of Michigan Messenger after 9:15 p.m. for a live interview from the Nuthouse in Lansing.

“Give me a few minutes to let this sink in,” Blake said about the news on NBC that Obama was now the presumptive nominee.

[Ed. note: Following unedited for timeliness.]

10:45 p.m. –
Obama’s “Our time” coda brings cheers, whoops and hollers. The crowd is nodding, clapping and transfixed by Obama’s commanding phrase, “This is the moment.”

“Thank you. Minnesota!” brings cheers and thunderous applause here at the Nuthouse. People are toasting each other and the newly-minted nominee.

It’s time to go and mingle with the folks here as they celebrate this historic event.  Todd will have more follow-up in the morning, assuming the Nuthouse celebration doesn’t go too deep into the night.  But who could blame them; it’s been a very long time since there’s been much to celebrate.

10:29 p.m. –
The crowd has broken out into chants of “O-bama!”

A young woman from Michigan Young Democrats is now working the crowd with fliers about a “Beat McCain Unity Party and Fundraiser” to be held tomorrow in downtown Lansing.

Continued -10:24 p.m. –
“Thank you to my staff,” causes the audience here at the Nuthouse to burst into applause.

“Our primary season has finally come to an end,” brings more applause.

Greg Ross of the Obama campaign cheers out at Obama’s rememberance of the state capitol, “Yes, I remember that!”

“I can stand here and say I am the Democratic nominee.”  The crowd breaks into sustained applause, cheers and smiles, tears are seen on the faces of many in the room

Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope has just arrived at the party.

On the announcement of Obama being the nominee, Michael Blake breaks down and cries.

Speaker Andy Dillon has arrived at the party now.

Obama’s congratulations to Clinton are met with warm and enthusiastic applause.

Michael Blake, on Dillon’s endorsement of Obama, and concerns about the partial birth abortion ban, said,”No, we are not concerned. He is a Democratic leader.”

Mark Gaffney, president of AFL-CIO is in attendance.

Obama’s slam on the war in Iraq brings cheers and cat calls.

10:08 p.m. –
Michael Blake is now off to mingle with party goers.

Barack and Michelle Obama’s appearance on the television screens brings big cheers and screams from the Nuthouse crowd.

People are wiping away tears and jumping with excitement while applauding.

The scene here is one of high emotion, with as Blake said, a sense of the historical significance of this moment.

The crowd has just broken into chanting, “Yes we can!”

10:05 p.m. –
No comment from Michael Blake on MSNBC pundits’ comments regarding a lack of concession or congratulations from Senator Clinton tonight.

Blake: “I don;t know anything about that. I think we just have to introduce the candidate. But that’s exciting. There are a lot of us who think back to Iowa, when you get to know him and his vision. It’s hard not to believe in him but that’s the problem right now.

“[We have] 10 to 15 field organizers on the ground; the volunteers are driving this ship right now. We need time before we start thinking about those things[sic].”

“Tonight’s not about strategy, it’s about history. I can’t even put it into words. My elementary school is P.S. 79 in Brooklyn. Kids like me aren’t sypposed to make it this far. We’re some of those statistics that people don’t believe in. It’s beyond words what I’m seeing right now. I am proud of our country.  I am proud of us as Americans.”

9:55 p.m. –
Todd: She’s getting her whispy Bosnia-we-landed-under-sniper-fire voice on now in her speech (/snark).

Now that Sen. Clinton has finished speaking there is a smattering of applause for her. The focus is now on celebrating here with Obama campaign team.

9:51 p.m. –
Clinton: “I will be making no decisions tonight” — met with anger and questions among the viewers present at Nuthouse.

Greg Ross, a campaign field organizer, has just arrived and met Blake with a huge hug and hefty hand shake.

Overheard: “I thought she was building up to a concession.”

The room has now erupted in conversation and Sen. Clinton’s speech is now being completely ignored.

9:48 p.m. –
Clinton’s self-question, “What does she want,” brings laughter and sneers from the Nuthouse partygoers.

State Rep. Mary Valentine is clearly moved by Clinton’s speech, a thoughtful look on her face.

9:45 p.m. –
Ingham County Clerk Mike Bryanton, a Democrat, is here at the Nuthouse.

9:42 p.m. –
Todd: Clinton’s words about being “committed to unite”, brings cheers and applause here in Nuthouse.

9:39 p.m. –
Michael Blake: “This is a historical point for the country; [it's been] 15 long months to get to this point. The bigger piece is that it is beyond individuals; Americans are ready for change. I think that is why people believe in senator obama.”

On Senator Clinton: “That will be something for another time. Tonight will be for another occasion.”

Sen. Clinton is now on stage in New York City at this moment, the apparent winner of the South Dakota primary; those gathered at the Nuthouse are now quiet, watching MSNBC on television. 

Todd: This speech is ringing like a concession.

Clinton: “You can be anything you want to be.” 

Todd: Her words receive cheers and applause here at the Nuthouse.

9:29 p.m. –
Michigan state house rep. Mary Valentine, D-Norton Shores, has arrived at the Obama party; on the news that Obama has clinched the nomination, she said, “It’s a great night for our country.”

9:23 p.m. –
Todd reports that a number of politicos are now at the Nuthouse; he is taking photos of the attendees now and will continue his interview of Michael Blake in just a few minutes.

If you have questions you’d like to ask the Michigan Campaign for presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama, please leave a note in comments. Thanks.

Check in at Michigan Messenger for more of this liveblog interview and event in just a few minutes!