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

[CPav]

I was at the rally in St. Louis, and the "off the prepared remarks" stuff that you indicate was used here as well, so it was "off the prepared remarks" in much of the way that Robin Williams' talk show stuff is "improvised".

That doesn't detract from it at all, and it was extremely effective here as well. I just didn't want the wrong impression out there that this was somehow improvised or something.

And the crowd here was very much as you describe there; energized but patient and polite. The portion of the crowd that I was in didn't get to see the opening speakers; we were filtered in the opposite direction when we got off public transportation, and only got to the Arch grounds as Obama was starting to speak.

[LarBear]

QUOTE: "If he (Obama) 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."

This must be a WIN for WE the People... Democrat's, Republican's, Libertarians and Independen­ts.... ALL... This is OUR USA...

WE must insist upon a Site the Obama/ Biden/ WE the People "Administration" can interact and communicat­e... Also, a Site for the House... Another for Senate... WE the People also need a Site just for Ideas/ fleshing out those Ideas... There is so much Wisdom/ Intelligence going unused in OUR Nation... The Best of Free Speech is based in mutual respect of all... No right/ Wrong Ideas...

Example: Before WE spend anything on Energy and Infrastructure, WE need to sit down with OUR Neighbors, Canada and Mexico and work out an over all, coordinated, Comprehensive Plan, so ALL mesh systems and ideas... Otherwise, each Nation and Municipality, etc, tends to build, then at some point, make awkward connection­s... Airports, Rail, Light Rail, High Speed Rail, Hiways, etc...

Example: WE need to save OUR Airlines by setting a minimum Fare, say plus 10% Profit/ per mile, for ALL Airlines, weighted towards larger planes/ green ecology... No, using 2 small planes, where one larger can do the job... Let Competition be about service, not putting the other guy out of business..­.

[pokemon]

I was blown away by these and the St.Louis photos, I wish I had the time and money, I would go to an event. I will have to just feel the love by pressing the button.

I just hop that someone is following every move, taking pictures, and will release a documentary!

[daisydukes]

What a great Post! We here in Canada are so envious that you get to have "Barack Obama". Trust me, he would most likely get more votes then our current president who was a very close friend of Bush. Please keep reminding your fellow citizens to go out and vote. Once president, at least we will get to see Obama once he comes for a visit to Canada. I will go out in minus 30 temperature to go and attend any one of his speeches should he decide to come over here. The man has a way of leaving everyone inspired and encouraged even just watching his speeches online, I can just imagine what it is like to be there in person. The biggest thing is his challenge to people to rise and make your world a better place, even in your little village. History is already written, the Obama era is about to begin and no amount of voter fraud or republican cheating will stop that. I actually feel sorry for Mccain, his story is coming to an end as heroic as it was,..... it is very clear that Mccain knows it as well.

[nclayla]

Thanks for your comments - I thank you for sharing - a really great post!

Just a reminder to everyone to remember to VOTE! The lines may be long and our time may be precious, but this is too important - we have got to make this happen - we cannot let complacency defeat us in the home stretch.

October 22, 2008 is a day I will remmber for a long time - it was the day I cast my vote for Obama. (Early voting here in North Carolina) I am 57 and have been voting every election for the past 46 years, but this was something different. When I saw Obama/Biden on the screen I am embarrassed to say that my heart actually skipped a beat - FINALLY - my opportunity to vote for this extraordinary man, my opportunity to help make a difference!

In these final days before the eleection I would encourage everyone to wear their Obama tee shirts every chance they get. I have had lots of people come up to me whenever I've had mine on and I think -I hope- I was able to help persuade some to cast their votes for 'O' and Joe.

[JohnnyBoyyy]

Great posting, David. I have to admit that your rousing words brought back emotions that I first experienced when I saw the 200,000 people listen to Mr. Obama's speech in Berlin this summer.

These feelings of the hope that I see in his vision for change are the strongest I can ever remember having for our great nation. And, for a guy, I have to admit that, again, I got kinda teary eyed. Thanks.

This Is OUR Time - This Is OUR Moment.

Obama/Biden '08/12!!!

[NationalTreasure]

Don't get over excited the republicans are playing their fear cards and the attack on Syria will be tilted towards being favorable for McCain by the main stream media.

[munki]

Thank you... well addressed.­..
Grandma Dunham - with all respect... get well soon...
Great job!
A Great man...

[syd vicious]

I just returned from the Barak Obama rally in Denver and I'd like to say that rarely have I seen a crowd so patient and respectful of each other at a jam-packed event. It was chilly, windy and our legs all ached from the long wait. But it was while exiting the venue that I witnessed something I still can barely believe. A young "20-something" gentleman was exiting beside me through the "Arch of Change" entry/exit point. On the tables where security had been set up to screen arrivals there was an array of lost keys and a lone wallet. The young man, with genuine and instant personal relief recognized the wallet as his own that he thought had been lost or stolen in the cramped park. He opened it to reveal, as I personally witnessed, his photo ID, and what appeared to be its entire contents. Keep in mind that at the time, probably 30,000+ people had passed the tempting item.

I can't help but think that in some small way the tone of Barak Obama's campaign leads by example. Despite the rancor of the last two years, we have more that holds us together as citizens than tears us apart. I'm reminded that political power may flow from the ground up, but leadership flows from the top down.

BRAVO!... I now remember what American Patriots look like.

[BabsfromKansas]

Beautiful.­.I have a friend who was at the rally in St. Louis - and she said much the same - the crowd was so happy, energized and respectful that it gave her hope that America could come together.

[illinoisan]

Obama is not going to change America. We are.

That's what this campaign has been about since it began here in Springfield.

[NYCSocialWork]

Right on! He believes in us just as much as we believe in him!

[texanna]

I hope that Sen. Obama will take the mandate that it looks like he's going to get and do some really great things with it. I don't have any great expectation that he will based on his actual votes -- FISA and the bailout bill -- and his assertion that he wanted to INCREASE the role of faith-based initiatives and other things he's said that people keep telling me was just to get elected. I will be so very happy to have my expectations wildly exceeded. It's just that in the 40 or so years that I've been voting I've seen a few that could've made a BIG difference and didn't.

[speranza]

Let's just hope all these people who attend these rallyes and want to see the pop star, let's hope that these folks will vote on Nov. 4! I have my doubts - If you Americans really do elect Obama you can be proud in many ways! Proud to have overcome so many hurdles and very proud that you did not beleive to all the foul play and negative crap from the McCain campaign!

I still have my doubts and I do not trust the polls to much!

[kushykush]

Wow that is an exciting report! I am happy to report that the same is happening here in Northern Virginia as well as South of us. Virginia will go democratic and ought to remain so for many years to come. I hope the same happens to Colorado. Both these states will be pivotal in Obama's victory.

McCain on the other hand continues to spew the same old, same old Republican machine lies. I just heard a radio ad saying how bad Obama's health plan is because anything run by "bureaucrats" is innately bad. Well no doubt they want to get rid of Medicare and Social Security, two most successful programs incidentally run by "bureaucra­ts."

Also received a big colored post-card with a 30 year old picture of Ayres and falsely accusing Obama of terrorism. Amazing!!

And all the above is heartily endorsed by McCain who promised he will run a decent campaign. Would you happen to know how many showed up at McCain's rally?

[SharonAustinTX]

est. 1,000

[ScottCandage]

It sounds like he's in a very reflective mood after visiting his grandmother.

[midwesthousewife]

I was thinking the same thing. But it seems as if as the months go by and Obama becomes more seasoned and more relaxed with his new role, he is lightening up and letting more of his real self show. Go back and look at some of his speeches from six months ago. He is stiffer and more guarded. What a happy circumstance that we are starting to see more of his personal side because it is a nice one.

[knowBuddhaU]

The long flight to the Other World, to visit the Dying and the Dead. The long flight back, to think it over. A trip of mythical proportions and import alike.

This is a pivotal time,

[pjn]

I was at the rally in Leesburg, VA last week. It was very hard to get there. One policeman had a snarky comment for all us fake Virginians who had Obama stickers on our cars. Whatever!

Obama ended the speech with those same remarks about immigrants and civil rights people in Lessburg too, so that is part of his speech, arguably the best part. What I loved about the rally- there were 30,000-50,000 people there. I heard both numbers, but there was a mixture of Blacks and Whites (more Whites). The feeling was we were as one. Anyway that's how it felt to me. When it was over I went down and hung around with some strangers (knew I couldn't get out of the park anyway). We were staring at Barack's SUV with him in it. and talking about how cool he is. And these two teenage Black boys were showing me their pictures and video. They were so excited about getting to shake Barack's hand. It was so sweet. One of the boys, DJ, pics were better and closer than mine, so I asked him to send his to me. He took my email address on a scrap of paper. I didn't really think he would send me anything. After all why would a teenage kid bother to send a middle aged white woman he doesn't know his pics? Well, he did and they are great. I thanked him, and he promptly sent me his video.

[JohnnyBoyyy]

Wowwwwwww what an inspiring comment, PJN!

That's what it's all about and I see a difference after all these years of division and greed. I believe ONLY Mr. Obama could have inspired such a great end to your day.

Thanks for telling your story!

This Is OUR Time - This Is OUR Moment.

Obama/Biden '08/12!!!