President Obama visits Southland

President Barack Obama arrivest at the Orange County Fairgrounds for his town hall event.  (Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times)

Attendees cheer the arrival of President Barack Obama to the Orange County Fairgrounds.  (Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times)

Guests take snapshots prior to the arrival of President Barack Obama to a town hall event at the Orange County Fairgrounds.  (Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times)

While waiting to get good seats at an Orange County town hall meeting with the president, a game of cards helps pass the time for, from left, Sara Carrion of Whittier, Monica Salas of Norwalk, Alva Garcia of Whittier, Andrea Morales of San Pedro and Carrie Biely of Long Beach.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Costa Mesa High School students welcome President Obama with a sign at their school, across the street from he will be speaking today.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Calista Gober, 4, of Anaheim Hills, and her uncle, Joseph Perry, while away the hours. They were among those waiting in long, overnight lines to get a ticket and then a good seat at the Orange County Fairgrounds.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Patricia D’souza, of Anaheim Hills, brought a book along to help pass the time in line.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Carlos Acazar, of Costa Mesa, photographs the patriotic scene. Acazar was among those waiting for the town hall meeting, set for 4 p.m. today.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Diana Lindsey and Willie Gamble of Los Angeles sell Barack Obama photos and gifts, including a figure that plays a recording of the president’s inauguration speech, across the street from the Orange County Fairgrounds where Obama was to hold a town hall meeting.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Ben Davis, left, of Costa Mesa, and Rob Stonecipher, of L.A., share their excitement over getting tickets to see President Obama at the Orange County Fairgrounds.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Adam Ripps, left, consoles Ralph Hardy, who became tearful when he got his ticket.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Patriotism, the economy and a sense of humor marked the mood as hundreds of people camped out in Orange County overnight to get tickets to see President Obama.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Linda Williams-Taylor of Chino wears an image of President Obama on her sweatshirt.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)