Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton Rally Orlando at 'Early Vote for Change' Event

Orlando, Florida -- More than 40,000 people greeted Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on Monday at an Early Vote for Change Rally in downtown Orlando, Florida. The event was held outside the Amway Arena, where a diverse crowd of Obama supporters came together to hear a positive message of change and progress for the United States.

The rally kicked off at 6 p.m., but those who wanted to be up close and personal with the dynamic Democratic duo arrived before noon. But six hours of waiting in line under the hot central Florida sun seemed to pass like seconds, considering the suffering this country has had to endure over the past eight years. Some of us read during the wait time, some discussed the campaign. And some worked the phones, calling Obama supporters throughout the state of Florida, asking them to get out to the polls to take advantage of the state's early voting laws.

Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida introduced Clinton and Obama, who shared the stage for nearly an hour. Clinton started things off with an impassioned 15-minute speech that focused on our nation's struggling economy. The highlight of her speech came when she introduced a new Democratic mantra to the crowd of tens of thousands: "Jobs, baby, jobs."

Those critical of Clinton during the general election campaign would do well to witness her in person, blasting Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin and tying them to the failed domestic and foreign policies of the George W. Bush administration. In her stump speech, Clinton is every bit as enthusiastic for Obama as she was campaigning for herself in the Democratic primaries and for her husband Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996. She clearly knows how much is at stake in this election, and without a doubt, is putting her country first during this campaign.

Speaking of "Country First," I would be remiss not to mention the crowd of 40,000 and its conduct during this rally and the hours proceeding it. I heard, during my nearly eight hours of attendance, not a single personal slur against McCain or Palin. No one shouted "terrorist!" or "treason!" or "kill him!" or "off with his head!" when Hillary Clinton mentioned the name of Obama's Republican opponent over and over again. People in line (at least those within earshot) discussed McCain's policies, debated Palin's readiness and commiserated over the prospect of a third Bush term. But not a one said anything even remotely inappropriate.

Indeed, the crowd of 40,000 was overwhelmingly pro-Obama, not anti-McCain. Supporters spent their hours fantasizing about the next four (possibly eight) years, discussing what they hope an Obama administration will accomplish: More jobs. Better education. The end of our conflict in Iraq. Restoring America's reputation around the world. Healing our environment. Repairing our image. Engaging in diplomacy and striving for peace around the world.

Despite the horrors of the last eight years, no one shouted they were "angry." No one who disagreed with McCain and Palin accused them of being unpatriotic or un-American. The tone of the crowd reflected the tone of the Democratic candidate himself. The tone was one of hope.

When Obama took to the podium, he offered a message of unity, not one of divisiveness. Entirely contrary to Palin's recent rhetoric about the "real America," Obama said there are no un-American cities, there are no geographic pockets of anti-American sentiment in our nation. We are, all of us - urban, suburban, and rural - citizens of this country, and we love it no less whether we live in high rises or tract housing or mobile homes. Blue states are no less patriotic than red states, and red states are no less patriotic than blue.

"We are the United States of America," he shouted.

And so we are.

The Early Vote for Change Rally with Obama and Clinton reflected the diversity as well as the inherent goodness of this nation. I arrived at the rally for the sole purpose of seeing one man, and I left feeling as though I were part of something much larger than a single presidential campaign. I left with a beaming sense of pride for this country and its people, and with a resounding feeling of hope for this nation's future.

I left as part of a new American movement.

Vote.