The Tripod

Issue date: 2/5/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Erin Caner

To view video of Obama speaking at the XL Center, please click here.

On Monday, Feb. 5, the eve of Super Tuesday, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made a final appeal to the voters of Connecticut. By 2:30 p.m., a line of supporters had already wrapped around the outside of the Hartford XL Center, formerly the Hartford Civic Center, and when the doors opened at 3:45 p.m., the arena quickly filled to above capacity with more than 16,000 people eager to hear Obama's campaign promises of hope and change.

Obama's campaign slogan, "Change We Can Believe In," was a common theme throughout his speech. He expressed his belief that all Americans have the capacity for change and hard work and said, "My faith in the American people has been mitigated because they have told me that they are willing for change." He repeatedly called for the American people to prepare for the necessary transformations.

Obama gave thanks to the large numbers of college students in the audience. He claimed that the response of the young people has proven to be a great help throughout his campaign, highlighting their presence at the polls. He said that young people "want their voices to be heard." Later in the speech, when Obama decided to list the changes that, ideally, he would like to make for the American people, he described a potential plan for students to exchange community service hours for college tuition money.

Other areas that Obama targeted for improvement included health care, minimum wage, education, treatment of veterans, the environment, and, most importantly, the war in Iraq. He stressed that negotiation with other countries was nothing to be feared, joking, "I may be skinny, but I'm tough."

Obama also spent much of his speech acknowledging criticisms made by his opposition. He began by sharing the response he received when he first announced his candidacy in Springfield, Ill. He claimed that, while some found his candidacy to be preemptive in his blossoming career, he believes that it is "never too early" for America is "at a defining moment." In the face of the nation's current challenges, Obama claimed, "we cannot afford to wait."

Many Trinity students attended the rally; some went as volunteers while others took the Student Government Association (SGA) sponsored bus. Catherine McNally '10 liked Obama's focus on change, and "how he defended his position of being really young" by highlighting the faults of the current administration. She also felt as though "everyone really liked him," citing one particular moment when a woman in the audience yelled to Obama, "I got your back!"

Thu Danh '08 emphasized an interesting moment in Obama's speech, when he noticed that an audience member had fainted: "He spoke in the microphone asking for assistance [and] for people to clear the way, and at that moment Senator Obama tossed a bottle of water to aid the fallen supporter. From that incident, I knew that Senator Obama was a person I can trust."

Preceding Obama's speech, Caroline Kennedy, daughter of John F. Kennedy, discussed her father's inspiring effect on the American people, as well as her confidence in the fact that Obama, like her father, could be a president who could "make America believe" in the "lost" American ideals. Her uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy, announced his overwhelming support for the Illinois senator, and then welcomed the arrival of the "future President of the United States." Obama entered to a standing ovation.

Local politicians also expressed their endorsements of Obama. As cheers engulfed the stadium in anticipation, Representative John Larson, Representative Rosa DeLauro, and Representative Chris Murphy, all of Connecticut, took turns speaking. Larson urged voters to "Barack the Vote," and Murphy proclaimed his faith in Obama. DeLauro, after welcoming the college students in attendance, shared John F. Kennedy's inspirational effect on her early life in the hope that Obama would have a comparable effect on the young people in the crowd.

The importance of young voters was also brought to light by Connecticut congressman Larson, who, before the rally began, offered some advice to the undecided voters at Trinity. He urged them to "take a look at all the candidates," taking into account all aspects of their campaign.

Larson highlighted the importance of voting for a candidate who possesses "transcendent leadership" and who will be able to heal the country and send a strong message. He acknowledged domestic issues, but stressed that the defining concerns for him are the war and foreign policy.

Larson explained his support for Obama, saying that "he showed good judgment by speaking out against the war." He hope for a long-term solution to the current problems plaguing the nation, and believes that Obama will fulfill the needs of not only young people, but people from every segment of society.

However, Larson recommended that each young voter research every candidate closely and make a well-informed decision, urging the undecided student to, "Use your own head and listen to your own heart" when voting. Carrie Carpenter '08 said that while she is a supporter of Hillary Clinton, she found attending Obama's rally to be a great experience. She said, "I found Obama to be really inspiring. He made you want to get up out of your seat and do something about the state of our country."

Paul Mounds '07, currently the District Press Secretary to Congressman Larson, echoed that Larson's support of Obama was based on Obama's ability to "bring trust and responsibility back into the White House," contradicting the claim that Obama lacks the experience necessary to become president.

This common criticism of Obama is made by both Republicans and Democrats. Obama himself challenged this argument, stating that "the last thing we need is the same old folks doing the same old things" in Washington. Obama declared that change and hope,are necessary elements of any viable solution to the problems that the nation faces. He acknowledged the difficulty of change, but also cited historical milestones based on the "imagining" and subsequent "fighting for" change.

Obama inspirationally concluded, "Together, we will transform this nation, we will transform the world." The large majority of the rally's attendees certainly seemed to believe that positive change would come in the form of Obama, and, as one supporter's sign cleverly expressed, everyone appeared ready for Obama to "Barack Our World."

View more at the Barack Obama Web site.

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