Finally!

...as promised. A more in-depth Barack Obama post.

I've always been puzzled by the way people speak about JFK. Their voices and faces reflect a reverence bordering on awe- a feeling I'd not experienced with regards to a politician, nor did I ever expect to. That's all changed since I saw Obama speak.

We arrived about 30-minutes early and stood a mere 10- or so feet from the entrance of the old Muelbach Hotel. Our proximity to the front doors led us to believe we were all but guaranteed a good spot once inside. I admit that was a pretty dumb notion! People of all shapes, sizes, ages and races lined up behind us on the sidewalk, past the end of the hotel and around the block. We began shuffling inside promptly at 2:00 and at once realized our lofty aspirations of looking Obama square in the eye wouldn't be realized. There were hundreds of people in front of us. I'm guessing some of them had been there, waiting, for several hours. We wound our way through imaginary velvet ropes in the huge lobby. The sheer number of people made the calm, orderly, quiet way in which we moved astonishing. A few people mooed jokingly, some chattered excitedly about the man of the hour but most just shuffled along quietly.

The grand ballroom was opened to its full size. A press platform was stationed in the middle, platforms with chairs on the sides. We found a place a few feet in front of the press- a fine spot, especially when you consider that people overflowed into the hall- but it was standing room only and an inordinate number of tall people were standing between us and the stage, forcing yours truly to stand on her tiptoes with neck craned in order to see. While waiting we were treated to a wide selection of music. Two weeks ago I could've recalled the songs and artists. Now I can only tell you that if Obama played any part at all in the selection he has excellent taste.


Obama emerged onstage after a few words from a man I didn't recognize (probably in the Missouri government), the reading of a letter to Obama from an 11-year old girl and a sweet rendition of the National Anthem sung by a couple (cute) gradeschoolers. He was dressed in what has become his signature style- khakis, an open collard white shirt and navy blue blazer. He's tall- much taller than I expected- and his eyes sparkle when he speaks. His conviction and enthusiasm is not limited to his voice but shows in his whole body. He walks on stage with purpose and a sense of urgency.

The content of his speech was exactly what you would expect of a person seeking to win the Democratic nomination: he denounced the war in Iraq, lambasted Bush for his "efforts" in New Orleans, blasted the administration for the deplorable treatment of Veterans, encouraged efforts to make this country more environmentally conscious and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, pointed out that the No Child Left Behind Act is little more than pointless rhetoric, Darfur, health care (or the lack thereof). Those aren't the point, not really. The point is that Mr. Tonks and I believed him. We believed that he wanted to make this country better than it is. Better than it has been for a long, long time.

I want so badly to believe in Obama. So, so, so badly. As of yet, he's not let me down. His speech in Detroit didn't go over so well...good. McCain is ripping him because he didn't vote for that ridiculously lame Iraq withdrawal bill. Good. Good. Good. Good. Maybe, just maybe, there is a politician out there that can actually stick to his (or her) convictions. At least I hope so. My God I hope so. For once I would like to feel good about being an American- instead of feeling the need to apologize for it and if Obama is half the man he appears to be, that might actually happen in the near future. Right now I believe he could be the next Truman or the next JFK or the great president that this country desperately needs.