I went to see Barack Obama and Ted Kennedy today at my school, the American University in Washington DC. I heard last Thursday that he was coming to speak to us, and it was a pleasant surprise to find out yesterday that the senior Senator from Massachusetts was making his endorsement right in our Bender Arena.
My friend Carmen and I arrived at around 10am and the line was already over half a mile long. I couldn’t see the end of the line as it went right down Massachusetts Avenue. Fortunately, we ran into some friends who were at about the half-way point in the line. If not, I doubt we would have gotten in. Later on, I heard the line was literally a mile long.
After the standard metal detectors, we got to stand about five people back from the podium, to Obama’s left. About half an hour passed, and then American University’s a capalla group "On a Sensual Note" took the stage to warm up the crowd. After an outstanding performance, they left and we waited patiently for the two senators, to the background music of Simon and Garfunkle. ( "Still Crazy After All These Years" is one song you would never hear at a McCain rally!)
Senator Obama and Senator Kennedy ended up being about twenty minutes late, but you could tell the crowd was still as excited as ever. The speaker for the Kennedy Political Union, Amanda Fulton, took the stage and introduced the Senators. To my surprise, Patrick Kennedy, congressman from Rhode Island and Caroline Kennedy were also there to speak in support of Obama’s campaign.
Congressman Kennedy spoke first and gave his heartfelt endorsement for Obama. Caroline Kennedy took the stage next and complimented the Senator and compared him very favorable to her father. She mentioned how her kids approached her and said, "Mom, how can you NOT support Obama?" She admitted that she didn’t have an answer for them, so there she was, giving Obama the family blessing.
To thunderous applause Caroline Kennedy introduced her uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy. This man, the Godfather of the Democratic Party, can give one hell of a speech. He delivers his applause lines perfectly and knows just how to work over a crowd. While it was clear that Obama was the true rockstar in the room, I know that many people there were just as excited to see a living legend walk on stage and endorse his candidate of choice.
Senator Kennedy spoke about the necessity of have far-reaching goals. He specifically mentioned that he was endorsing Obama because he inspired hope and had the potential to be a truly transformative President who can "make America great again." He said that Obama’s dreams for the country were akin to those of his own brother. Obama, like JFK, would never hesitate to reach for lofty goals and ask Americans to give back to their nation.
Kennedy also spoke about the Peace Corps in relation to giving back to the country, and the importance of youth voting. He also complimented Senators Clinton and Edwards for their commitments to helping the poor and women around the world. But he pointed out, to thunderous applause, that this unique moment in American history required an exceptional individual to bring the nation together. That individual is Senator Barack Obama.
Finally Obama went to the podium. He gave something a little different from his standard stump speech. He hit all his high points--About treating every American equally a fairly, about focusing on what unites us instead of what divides us, about how, by coming together to support Obama, we can make great changes for the future. As a member of the audience I can tell you that half his lines were inaudible because the crowd was so excited to see him. I can’t believe the enthusiasm this man generates. With thousands of students cheering at the end of every sentence, Obama smiled and tried to get through his speech. Between the waving signs, the screams of "I love you, Obama!", and the Senator’s booming voice talking about his dreams of change, you could tell there was something special in the air.
After the speech, Obama and the Kennedys spent time walking around the arena thanking supporters. It was as crazy as a mosh pit in there. People were pushing each other against the railing, hoping to grab hold of Obama’s hand.
As I was leaving Bender Arena, I was stuck with the same thought I had the night Obama delivered his speech to the Democratic Convention in 2004: This man will be President some day. Even Howard Dean couldn’t get a crowd this excited. If Obama’s able to generate this type of genuine excitement previously unseen in American politics, he’s well on his way to the White House.