Question about Obama's speech?

Question

But if you ever get the chance to talk to folks who turned out at our rallies and crowded along a rope line in a high school gym or – or saw folks working late at a campaign office in some tiny county far away from home, you’ll discover something else.

This is from the New President's victory speech.
http://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/barack-obamas-victory-speech-full-text/

I think "or SAW" should be "or SEE."
This is because "if you ever SEE" or "if you ever get the chance to SEE" would be correct.
What do you think about my idea?
Thank you in advance.

Elzbieta · Accepted Answer

I think you are right. And congratulations, America, you chose the right man.

Mohammed · Answer

No, "or saw" is perfectly placed here.
Actually, the verb "saw" is not connected to the verb "get" in the beginning of the paragraph. It's rather connected to the verbs "turned out" and "crowded", so I guess now it makes a whole lot of sense why it's in the past tense.

P.S. Obama never makes lingual mistakes, and I'm so blown away by this fact.

Inselstricken · Answer

It should be in the past vtense, following:
 folks who TURNED OUT [past] and CROWDED [past] ... if you SAW [past] folks working late ..
these things are all in the past 

though of course tenses do waver in the spoken word - this is originally spoken rather than written

? · Answer

I think technically you're right, it should be SEE, since it should agree with the tense of the verbs earlier in the sentence.

If you ever get ... or see
vs
if you ever got ... or saw

but, its a really really minor issue. I woudn't call it a mistake, just a way of speaking.

匿名 · Answer

I'm don't know or really care about the nuances you're referencing. I do know, however, that his "victory" is a disgrace to all sensible people in this country, and that it's doubtful our country will survive because of his reelection.

Question about Obama's speech?

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