Colorado's Participation in 50-state Barack Obama Event Disappointing but with Heart

DENVER, Colorado, April 19 - I went to Saturday's Barack Obama rally in my state, Colorado, as people in all 50 states were invited to do, in a show of national support for his ideas and candidacy. When Senator Obama visited Denver in preparation for the Super Tuesday primaries, the main arena and overflow area indoors were filled, and many stood outside on the lacrosse field at the University of Denver to hear him speak. From that, I expected to have to negotiate crowds at today's event. I definitely didn't find that.

When I arrived in downtown Denver, at first I couldn't find the event. I didn't remember where the Greek Amphitheater was in Civic Center Park, and there were no obvious throngs of people heading there. I arrived to see what was what at 1p.m., the posting on Obama's website later said 12:30 p.m. for "festivities begin," but I missed the fine print that the speakers were due at 2 p.m. I readjusted my expectations since the crowd when I arrived was very thin, perhaps not much more than a sunny day would normally draw to the park.

By 2 p.m. (when the nearby City and County building's clock and chimes announced three, strangely), nothing more was happening, and by 2:30, music was still playing. I had other commitments, so I left with a handful of Obama items obtained before 2, when most of the volunteer-staffed tables became empty.

I don't know when the featured speakers, such as Congressman Ed Perlmutter, spoke, or why the event was so far from the energy of Obama's visit. The band, playing reggae music and invoking the names of black martyrs in an anti-war, anti-violence effort, struggled to keep the energy going and kept reaching out for response from the largely Caucasian, attentive but somewhat passive audience.

In a nutshell, the event was not overwhelming, and the weather was fine. In Denver, a city committed to environmental issues, this weekend was devoted to Earth Day and Arbor Day related activities, so that might have divided the crowds. The volunteers were, along with the band, keeping the energy alive and it was through them that I remembered that Obama's message doesn't rely on a weekend turnout.

Along with the entertainment, there was a voter registration drive, a phone bank complete with traditional pizza, and the "Chain of Hope" sending messages of support back to Senator Obama. Visitors could fill out cards with questions for the campaign, or for the day's speakers. If you wanted to talk with someone about who Barack Obama is and what he stands for, friendly volunteers were glad to share their enthusiasm. These weren't, as far as I could tell, "true believers" either. These were real people who had a candidate who made sense for them. That was very refreshing, and I didn't feel that they were pressuring me to join them without consideration, they had respect for me as a thoughtful voter. I really appreciated that.

The day wouldn't be complete if I didn't mention the red, white and blue balloons everywhere. I can't resist mentioning that the plentiful plastic "facilities" were the same colors. The event was also peaceful, with an occasional park "resident" shouting for agitation, but the sunny day, we're-on-the-right-track feeling persisted, no matter what did or didn't happen. The crowd was a great mix of the Denver population, though minorities, especially the Hispanic population which the media sees as aligned with candidate Clinton, were not as well represented. One group that was present in surprising numbers was the disabled, in wheelchairs, with canes and walking sticks, even with their families.

Colorado's Barack Obama rally in this national event was underwhelming after the turnout for his visit early in the year, but gave a feeling that he's in it for the long run as his supporters are, and that he's not relying on pure energy to provide momentum. His belief that his point of view makes sense appears to provide his path, again refreshing in a time when ideology and attachment drive support for candidates, not understanding. My personal wish would have been for a more organized event due to my own schedule, but I'm glad I went, it was very positive and persuasive for me as an American voter.