There is something amazing about seeing a figure so well known on the screen and in print step in front of you in real life. It makes the experience of them all that much more real. I've been saying all the way along "Barack is so real," and I say it again. He really is what he presents himself to be. And my impression of his leadership/organization skills was beyond confirmed by observing (as a volunteer from the inside) how impressively the rally was run. Seamless.
What surprised me the most was the minute Obama stepped onto the walkway to get to the stage, my arms flew up and I exclaimed "Barack!" It was an instinctual, primal reaction of love and joy. I shared this unexpected response with a friend who reflected, "that's what Barack is here for – to open hearts." This must be at least part of why Obama has become such a beloved figure, not just in our country, but all over the world. (And why, perhaps, he also seems to be so threatening to others. Perfect love casts out fear, as stated in the Bible.)
An image that will never leave me was looking up at Obama while he was speaking, in his usual pristine white shirt, framed by the New Mexico powder blue sky – the identical image that is in so many of the campaign logos! But this was a real sky, the kind we have almost every day in New Mexico. How perfect to see Barack embraced by it. One of his first comments was about the glorious drive up from Albuquerque, and how blessed we are by the beauty of our landscape – something to be grateful for every day. I feel this is true for so much of our country filled coast to coast with spectacular landscapes. "America the Beautiful" sings of this. America, America, God shed his grace on thee. I hope that we can, in turn, live up to the seeds of potential that have been planted over the centuries in this experiment called America.
One of my favorite moments in the rally was in the introductory speeches when a Catholic Priest offered a prayer. Here was a crowd of almost 10,000 people that had waited for hours in the blazing sun, ready to rally for Senator Obama. People had to totally restrain themselves to not start cheering at several points in the prayer. At one point, however, restraint fell apart, and the whole crowd cheered – quickly regaining restraint because, it was after all, a prayer. I pray that the prayer offered that day is answered – that wisdom and truth guide our choice in our next leader.
I loved Governor Richardson's talk, especially his point that "we do not just need Barack Obama to win the election, we need him to win by a landslide." That too has been my vision and prayer.
Barack Obama's entire 32 minute speech is well worth watching (filled with his usual warmth, humanity, humility, humor, seriousness, and outlining of the most current pressing concerns of the audience) and can be viewed on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WldjwTCoxRo&feature=related.
Sharing a Comment sent in from MI through the ChooseToUnite website: "Love your song and wondered if there's a place online where I can download the Choose To Unite Obama song. It is so uplifting and powerful! I'd love to have it alongside will.i.am's anthem and Dave Stewart's American Prayer.
All three would be great to play at any Obama event or party."
Note about that comment: First, I am beyond honored that Choose to Unite is being associated with Yes We Can and American Prayer! Secondly, so many people at the New Mexico rally were saying to me, "they should be playing our song!" I have not yet succeeded in connecting with the national campaign around the song; that too remains a prayer. Choose To Unite is a huge gift, and a great resource, from an impassioned grass roots community of people in our swing state of New Mexico. And third, thanks to this comment, I added on both YouTube and the www.ChooseToUnite.com website direct links to iTunes to download the song.
Viva Obama! and Obamanos! (a catchy play on the Spanish word, vamanos Obama, which means let's go Obama)!
