Can we call you President?

"John McCain is going to call me a lot of names in the next few days. I don't know what name he's going to call me next."
"President!" shouts a young child near us on the grass.
Yes, President Obama. That has a nice ring to it.

A crowd roughly half the population of Columbia gathered on the MU campus last night. That's 40,000 people! 40,000 people who practically ran into the gates as they entered the Mel Carnahan Quadrangle. I was one of them. I'm still crying about it!

I was a nervous mess last night waiting for Jevon to get home and watch the kids so I could be part of this historic moment. He was out of town working and didn't get home until 6:45 (gates opened at 7:30). After two days of moving furniture into the our motel in Hannibal, Jevon was exhausted. He had to eat, shower, and shave (yes, shave) before he dropped me off. I nearly lost it when I saw him shaving. "I may miss seeing the next President of the United States because you had to shave first????" Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

It all worked out, and instead of having to wait in line for hours and walk several miles, I got dropped off right by where my friends Chris and Megan were waiting in line. And what a line it was--it wound all around the MU campus. People were friendly and chatting about the election. Many people waiting in line had been volunteering on the campaign, going door to door and making phone calls.

Vendors were everywhere, selling Obama tees and even "No More Bush" underwear. (I just got that as I typed it! Ha ha!!). I liked the "That One" t-shirts the best!

We caught the end of Judy Baker's speech as we looked for a place to sit. (Her speech was like the opening act for a band and I kept thinking, "Okay lady, you can stop talking now. Let's get to the good stuff!") Deciding not to fight the crowds to get a view of the stage, we opted for a spot on the grass in clear view of a screen.

Jay Nixon, Democratic nominee for MO governor had just started talking when he turned around. Chris and I had been chatting and wondered what happened. On the screen we could see people's faces and could feel the energy building. Here's a clip of the first moments. That's Chris, Megan, and I squealing and crying in the background!




I had been warned that Obama could be up to an hour late, but he made it right on time, even though he had started out in Ft. Lauderdale that morning. I am amazed at his energy. At one point somebody booed, and Obama said something like "Don't get mad. Get out and Vote." Nobody screamed profanities or chanted like a group of KKK people. This was a well-behaved crowd.

Watching these videos again this morning still brings tears to my eyes. Even though Jevon put me through an agonizing wait, I am so thankful that he stayed home with the kids. "I've never seen a President in my lifetime and most people probably won't. You should go." Oh, thanks sweetie! I will never forget this!

Oh, will somebody PLEASE take our picture? (a woman ran up right after this and took a shot with Megan's camera. I'm waiting anxiously for her to send it to me!) That's Chris on the left, Megan in front and me on the right.

And I will repeat this mantra to myself, "I will always bring the good camera. Even if it is heavy." I can only imagine the pictures I could have taken with my Nikon. Sigh... Check out these beautiful slideshows and articles from the local papers. I'm sure you're eyes won't be dry either.
Columbia Tribune Slideshow
Columbia Tribune Article
Columbia Missourian Article and Slideshow (check sidebar for slideshow and other articles)

And then, get out and VOTE on Tuesday. As the sign says, "It's your Democratic right!!"