The Moment Obama Grabbed 100,000 Coloradoans

I just got back from the Obama rally at Civic Center Park here in Denver. The Denver Post estimates the turnout was 100,000 people, which is really just astounding considering the total size of the city is about 550,000 people and the total size of the metro area is about 3 million. Here's a shot that gives you a sense of the crowd - and let me just remind you, it's not a short distance between City Hall, where the speech was, to the steps of the state capitol:

Here's an up close photo from the speech:

Most Americans have seen Obama speak, and millions at this point have been to his events, so I won't bore you with my opinion on the details of his promises (pretty progressive) or of the energy at the event (high). But what I will say is that while most of the rhetoric was standard Democratic stuff, what really seemed new and "transformative" (to admittedly use a cliche description of Obama) - what really seemed to capture those 100,000 Coloradoans (including me) - was his discussion about struggle. I may be an old seadog from the many campaigns I've worked, and I may have learned enough to not be easily mesmerized by politicians, but I will admit right here: the flash I saw from Obama at the end of his speech really blew me away.

Indeed, as he was closing his remarks, he touched on how making change is incredibly painful and incredibly grueling - and how it always has been throughout our history. And the best part - the part where the audience was most silent and rapt - was when Obama veered off his prepared remarks and made it personal:

"Maybe some of your parents or grandparents, they were born in another country without freedom of speech or freedom of worship, but they said, you know what, we know there's this land across the ocean called America, where it's a land of opportunity and a land of freedom, and we're willing to take the risk to travel to that place to create a better future for our children and grandchildren. In this audience, there are people whose parents or grandparents couldn't cast a vote, but they said to themselves you know, maybe my child or grandchild, if we march, if we struggle, maybe they may be able to run for the United States Senate, maybe they might run for the Presidency of the United States of America."

Those references to the courage of immigrants and the civil rights movement are clearly personal to Obama, and they are rarely voiced in Colorado politics - an arena that has often been about bashing immigrants. That he departed from his prepared text to talk about those issues, and tied them to a discussion about how difficult change is - well, it suggests that very "transformative" possibility of the Obama candidacy.

Whether you believe Obama represents real change or not, I came away believing that he understands the challenge of actually making change, should he win. That is, he understands that if he really attempts to fundamentally alter the status quo on major issues, it is going to be a very tumultuous and difficult process - one that only begins on election day.

I'm not 100 percent sure, knowing how hard this will be, that Obama will move into the breach. My heart hopes he will, and my gut tells me its more than likely he will, because Republicans are helping create an even bigger mandate for an Obama presidency than Obama ever wanted. But we will never know if he will unless he gets a chance - a chance which, since early into the Democratic primary, I have believed he deserves (even though I stand by my concerns/objections to some of his specific positions). If he wins, I am sure we will have a president who grasps how tough it will be to make progress - and I am becoming more confident we will have a president who will try to make that progress a reality.

UPDATE: I fiddled with one of my pics from the rally, and made it into an artsy kind of image for my desktop. You can download it here if you'd like to do the same. It depicts not just Obama, but the massive crowd - and in that, it is more a picture of democracy, than of an individual candidate.

UPDATE II: For those who want to try to make their own poster version of the photo I took, here's the raw photo (it's cropped from a larger photo). Good luck - and feel free to post your version and then link to it in the comments for everyone.

Comments

[Martha601]

Cool pic! Great article!

[CIgarCityGirl]

Thanks for my new desktop photo! It is lovely, and will cheer me up every morning when I fire up my trusty Mac! (The only Mac I'll vote for!) The photo is awesome!

Visualize Colorado as a Blue State! Florida, too!

[mulishmissourian]

A co-worker and I were scheduled to work the day of the rally in St. Louis. We both thought about calling in, but since we were two of three people running our local library branch, we met our responsibility. Later, one of our patrons came in with her Obama-Biden t-shirt on, so we asked her if she had attended the rally. Since we live in a conservative county that typically votes Republican, she seemed taken aback at first, but shared her joy in being a part of the 100,000 attending that day. That was our first glimpse of hope that Missouri might do the right thing and vote for Obama.

I also see Barack Obama as a transformational leader. I base this on my reawakened interest in knowing more about our Constitution and the political process. If the Democrats have a chance to reclaim the government, it will be our responsibility as ordinary citizens to stay involved by letting our representatives know what we expect them do in government. This could be our new mantra -- "share the responsibility"!

[WAstateliberal]

This is going to be the longest week of my life. At first I was disappointed when my state moved to vote by mail. Now, I am relieved. I voted first thing last week. Now I can do other things on election day, like hide in my room curled up into a fetal position avoiding exit polls and pundits questioning whether Obama can "close the deal."

Good luck to us all!!!

[KarateKid]

Thanks for the wallpaper, totally cool.

A word about your theme of change, and how difficult it is. This country's history is all about change, in the pursuit of a more perfect union. I was born during the height of segregation and Jim Crow laws. Blacks were regularly attacked, and lynched. I was 9 when Brown v. Board of Education in Little Rock desegregated the public schools, 16 when LBJ signed the Civil Rights Bill, 17 when he signed the Voter Rights Act, 24 when Title IX became law.

After each of these landmark events, there were riots and bitter protests. The Southern Democrats abandoned the party and went over to the Republicans. Women who pioneered Title IX were vilified.

Yet, look where we are today, still not there in all respects, but progress has been made. We are on the threshold of An African American presidency. Women have made great strides for equality. People CAN change. Kids today are coming out of school more savvy and open minded than ever, and they have become very involved in the election process, knowing it is their future that is at stake. Yet, even today, with the McCain candidacy, we see that resistance to change.

There is still a ways to go, but white people have changed for the better.

[explorelife]

Hi David, I was there too. I really appreciate your writing and ideas. The picture was great.

From my vantage point way back in the crowd came the impression of all these people, of many colors and ideas, were there in hope. Everyone even though very crowded seemed peaceful and optimistic as if they were untouched by the smearing going on by McCain. The innocence of hope is what I will call it.

Another thought, this is the transformation already in action. Here are thousands of people already past the ego as the controlling force and instead the light of hope was bright and the hearts were open to guide the minds back to the sanity of our founding fathers. A nation of the people, by the people and for the people.

Checkout my blog for my perspective, I write about politics, consciousness, activism, and the power of purpose, compassion and connection. www.explorelifeblog.com.

Keep up the good work,

Joseph

[MasterfullyInept]

I work in a school as a janitor.I just returned to work after missing most of the summer due to surgery.I feel kind of guilty that the most I have been able to do to support Obama is talk with friends family and acquaintances about the election.I can hardly talk about anything else truth be told.While cleaning an art room(Yes they still teach art in this school district.T­he kids get one quarter of art instruction per year).I noticed some Obama Biden literature on the teachers desk.The next day I walked in her room and hands on hips confronted her about it.(I am an incurable tease)."Ye­ah that's mine she said".I explained I had already voted for Obama and how enthusiastic I felt.The she said something that really resonated with me."I have been waiting my whole life for a candidate like this"Haven't we all.

Si se puede

Yes we can

[Topazera]

"I feel kind of guilty that the most I have been able to do to support Obama is talk with friends family and acquaintances about the election."

I think you're already doing a great and powerful thing. We should never underestimate how important it is to keep political discussion alive with the people around us. I hope that idea resonates past the upcoming election with many people.

[simplify]

Intellect and charisma. An unbeatable combination

[johnnygoodwud]

having worked in wash. d.c. for 10 yrs. i met three presidents, two v.p's and a host of other big shots. but, when i met obama in person, nearly 18 months ago in a rope line, i was blown away. folks this guy has a presence like i have never seen, and i've seen a few people in my day. when he speaks to you, he looks you right in the eye, not looking over your shoulder like most politicans. when i met him, he didn't have to speak with me, but he did. there were only 4800 people at the rally, but it was late. i said to him, 'i'm a big fan, good luck' he replied thanks, and i said, 'we want our country back'. he paused, looked down for a moment while he thought, looked up at me, put his hand on my shoulder, and for the life of me i have no idea what he said. he's that good. remember i'm not easily impressed. after that nite, i thought he's got my vote, my money and my help. i wish all of you could meet him the way i did. luckily for me, an AP photographer was standing next to me, i talked him into taking a shot of 'O' and i and it's hanging next to my computer.

[Papasgirl]

Johnny, I too had that pleasure at a fund raiser here in NYC. He gives good hand and looks you right in the eye. His eyes really twinkle as he is true to and in his word and deed. He is perhaps the most sincere person I have ever "met". His smile up close is mesmerizing in it's genuiness. And it is true, when he speaks too close, you can't hear a word he is saying.LOL He is most presidential, but have no doubt, he is a Barack star.

[Leahk]

I can't count the number of times that my eyes have watered just thinking of what an Obama-Biden presidency could do for America. I have even found myself connecting their campaign to the message that Dr. Maya Angelou gave the nation her poem written for and read during President Clinton's inauguration.

[sunny123]

David, your post brought tears to my eyes. I am so excited and so proud of my former state. I wish I could have been there. I have been involved in making phone calls since the campaign began and wish I could do more. He is, by far, the first politician I believe in. Loved your post. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

[trailblazer]

Ha! Good - I'm not the only sap! The post made me well up, and so did the photo. My daughters are both in college. I tell them "pay attention to this election. It will be the one that you remember for the rest of your lives. This one is going to change history." Nine more days!

[1differentdrummer]

In some ways I am reminded of JFK. I have high hopes for President Obama.

[genie555]

truly inspiring thank you for sharing your thoughts.

I hope

I wish

I dream

I vote

WE have the power if WE choose to use it

Get out and VOTE

[MammaCat2]

45,000 to 50,000 more in Fort Collins as well (Fort Collins population is under 150k)!

We took our 8 year old and 5 year old sons. They didn't really "get" the importance today, but I hope they will remember it for the rest of their lives as the day they were a part of real change!

I'm so tired of the BS that Repubs are trying to stir up about celebrity and cults of personality. This election isn't about Barak, it's about my kids. I want a country and a world where respect, dignity and hope prevail. I want leaders who don't behave in ways that I wouldn't tolerate from my kids. I want to be able to hold my head up high and say "Yes we can!"

A government of the people and by the people doesn't work without the participation of the people! Go vote and make history!

YES WE CAN!

Shel

[janeadams]

I know a few people who saw JFK when they were little kids. They didn't forget it. Neither will your kids forget seeing Obama. They'll be grateful you brought them.

[Suzique]

Great post! Hey daisydukes, catch the Toronto Sun today. We may have our own Obama type politician up and coming, Try online if you're not in the area. I'm southwestern ontario and would love to have a vote for Obama.