If you haven’t seen Obama’s speech and the crowd response in Manassas on Monday night, it’s very much worth watching and holding onto as we begin the new era. In Chicago Obama seemed a little subdued and thoughtful, feeling the weight of his responsibility and the whole world on his shoulders. He was still able to articulate in his masterful way the hopes and dreams of the extraordinary moment, to explain our interconnected lives and fortunes, but he wasn’t smiling. The monumental task of mobilizing citizens and getting elected was complete, the job of governing has just begun. He needs to rest and think and listen and plan.
But on Monday night you could see the power and potential that this man and movement has to get things going. The story of the “small woman from Greenwood” is told in a classic way, and Obama works his way through it and feels and enjoys every little detail and twist, then builds the idea of how one voice, one room, one city, one country, can change the world. It’s all quite spectacular. But the best part is still to come: what it can do to the crowd.
“So I just have one question for you, Virginia? Are you fired up?” Crowd roars.
“Are you ready to go?” Crowd roars.
“Fired up?” Loud “Fired up!”
“Ready to go?” Loud “Ready to go!”
“Fired up!” FIRED UP!
“Ready to go!” READY TO GO!
FIRED UP! FIRED UP!
READY TO GO! READY TO GO!
“Thank you, Virginia–let’s go change the world.”
Would have loved to see the Grant Park crowd do the chant, more appropriate than ever now.
zhiv 
Okay, I’m tearing up once again after seeing that speech …
By: Dorothy W. on November 5, 2008
at 5:21 pm
I would have loved to have been in Grant Park last night…what a wonderful moment. Have been extremely emotional all day…and am optimistic. Very optimistic. He has, America has, a lot of work to do…but it seems possible. For the first time.
By: verbivore on November 5, 2008
at 8:22 pm
Thanks for stopping by, guys.
Dorothy–I just had the misty-eyed thing happen reading Maureen Dowd: “Obama may be in over his head. Or he may be heading for his own monument one day.”
By: zhiv on November 7, 2008
at 2:00 am
The hairs stood up on the back of my neck…but you can only smile and join in. Incredible. Thank you for pointing that one out.
He speaks with the cadence of a preacher, the passion of lover, the wit of a writer, the intelligence of a philosopher….the voice of a nation but what a monumental task ahead. ‘She’s stealing my thunder’ he says; oh no, I don’t think anyone could. Stay with him. Fired up and ready to go!
By: viewfromthewindow on November 9, 2008
at 8:11 pm