Obamania in Miami and Beyond: Democratic Presidential Nominee Sen. Barack Obama

Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois has certainly swept the nation off its feet; his charisma and public speaking have left many of us astounded and even more curious and excited. Now that the Democratic Party has their contender to go up against Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona in November, the games have begun.

I remember the first time I saw Barack Obama in person for a rally. He had made a stop in Miami for a speech set inside the Miami Dade County Auditorium. I was volunteering with the Human Rights Campaign, garnering signatures for legislation focusing on gay rights in the workplace. Florida, for the moment, captured the spotlight once again in politics. My state had again caused a ruckus; our upcoming presidential primaries were (like Michigan's) going to be problematic because they were being held earlier than mandated by the national Democratic Party. (As I watched news coverage on the debacle, I could already hear the heavy sighs of frustrated voters from all over the country.)

When I arrived to the auditorium -- before attendees were allowed inside -- I saw a tremendously long line of visitors, patient people waiting for the auditorium doors to open. The lines traveled all the way around the auditorium, flooding the paths that lead to the front of the building. The people were of different ages and nationalities; some were students, others were professionals, and a few were there only to see the Barack Obama for themselves, perhaps to finally find out just what the fuss was about.

On the contrary, across the street were protesters against Obama. They carried homemade signs and screamed through megaphones at the attendees who were there for Obama's speech. Many of the protesters were Cuban Americans who disagreed with Obama's proposed policies regarding Cuba, its embargo and its government. I was surprised so many individuals had come out to protest, but I saw that the Obama supporters greatly outnumbered those across the street. The Obamaphiles didn't carry any signs to show in return, but sure enough after a couple of minutes, a few ran to the sidewalk and held their signs -- signs that appeared out of nowhere -- in support of their candidate. Cars honked at both sides of the street as the protesters waited to see Obama himself, on stage.

And when he finally did make it on stage -- after countless local candidates voiced their platforms in under a minute for the large Democratic audience, followed by a musical performance by a folk artist -- the crowd screamed. When Barack Obama was introduced, the audience leaped out of their seats and cheered. I could have sworn I had gone deaf. The rallies that I saw on TV with hopeful, excited individuals surrounding a glowing stage were just as I had witnessed at the Miami Dade County Auditorium. These people were fired up and ready to go, as Obama had mentioned.

He called for Miami Dade to have hope; to believe in themselves as well as in his campaign.

They did, certainly; for other primaries, Obama-folks opened their homes for parties and get-togethers, and with other like-minded voters, they watched innumerable televised debates and polling results. They've argued with their neighbors, their friends, their families about who should take the White House in 2009. They've asked others to believe in change.

This was in August 2007. Now the momentum of his campaign is still surging forward and we can only expect for a greater amount of support and energy following New York Sen. Hillary Clinton's concession yesterday, June 7.

I can only expect much more excitement to swell in the coming weeks, and hopefully, this election will motivate countless individuals -- regardless of political affiliation -- to pay attention to what's to come. In the next few months, we will learn what divides two strong candidates who are eying the Oval Office, but eventually we will realize who will become the next president of the United States.