The presidential campaign of 2008 has left me a little cold and cynical. I follow it, read about it, watched the news and debates, but MY candidates withdrew early. It seems that substance has been lost over style.

I’ll admit right now that I am not going to vote Republican, but I have also been quite ambivalent about my remaining Democrat choices.

I have been a volunteer for a number of presidential candidates, starting with McGovern, and I generally grab any opportunity to witness Presidents, and candidates. They can be fun events. Just watching the Secret Service work is usually worth the price of admission. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm has waned.

Jim O’Bryan told me that he and Ivor Karabatkovic were going to the Cleveland Barack Obama rally to get some photos, and asked me if I wanted to go. In my present mood, I almost balked until Jim said, “We can go in with the media.”

Wow! Now, THAT would be fun. I got online to the Obama campaign site to sign up for a press pass. They wanted to know if we needed a parking space for our satellite truck. Jim and I were tempted to duct tape an old TV rabbit-eared antenna, with a Bakelite base, to the top of my Subaru, and maybe add some tin foil wings to the ends (For better reception, of course.), throw on a magnetic LO sign, and take them up on that parking spot. I even considered a run to the Goodwill store to buy a couple of old fedoras to wear with PRESS cards stuck in the hatband for that old movie reporter style.

Here was my chance to see what the supporters of Senatar Obama were raving about . It would also be interesting to converse with the lesser media outlets like ABC News and CNN.

Young people that I’ve talked to are very excited about Obama. To them, he is the new John Kennedy. I admit that I have wondered if Obama is that charismatic, or if charisma has been projected upon him by passionate supporters.

We arrived at Public Hall to lines of waiting people wrapped around the building, and found our way to the media door. We were welcomed by enthusiastic Obama volunteers. After showing our credentials and identification, we were thoroughly searched and wanded by Secret Service, then escorted to the press area where volunteers regularly asked us if we needed anything, if everything was okay, and told us about how the media area works.

The press area was in front of, and on the main stage of Public Hall. A separate platform was constructed in the front and to the side of Obama's platform. The Media view was perfect for candidate and crowd video and photos. On the main stage, there was a “cut riser”. We were instructed that that was the platform for the best profile photos. Other media people seemed to know about the cut riser without instruction.

We had about a four hour wait until Obama made his appearance. We ate chocolate chip cookies, burnt hot dogs, and drank overpriced Pepsi (No Coke.). As the crowd filled the hall, and waited for Obama, they did “the wave”, chanted various slogans, and moved to the music over the P.A. system. The music was as diverse as the audience. Among others, I heard James Brown, Garth Brooks, Bon Jovi, and Aretha Franklin.

Groups of people streamed ahead of us to go to the seats on risers directly behind Obama’s platform. We kind of wondered who they were, but we managed to talk to one later. I asked the young man how he happened to get such a good seat. He said, “I don’t know. They just picked me.” They had painted a backdrop with handpicked humans. Cool.

Campaign workers handed out “CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN” and “KEEPING AMERICA’S PROMISE” signs that contrasted with the homemade signs that said “YES WE CAN” and “SI SE PUEDE”.

The rally began in the waning hours of an extended campaign day. Everything that happened that day had to be perfectly planned and managed in different locations, and in perfect sequence. I was already impressed by the setup in the hall, the staff, and attention to detail. In contrast to the Clinton and McCain campaign management problems, Obama's well-oiled machine reflects the persona of his presidential aspirations. I’m now aware that Barack Obama can hire and manage professionals. This carries some weight with me.

There were a few “warm up acts” that included a young woman that did a fantastic a cappella national anthem, some cheerleading speakers that yelled, “Are you fired up?” The cheerleaders also led chants of “Yes, we can!”, three volunteers that did “the Obama dance” (Jump On It), and Cleveland Mayor, Frank Jackson.

Near the stage was a V.I.P. section for seating local elected officials, including Lakewood Judge Pat Carroll, and Mayor Ed Fitzgerald.

When the groups of media arrived, they more than doubled our press area. They rushed to set up cameras, microphones, and computers before Obama entered the hall.

OBAMA! Obama entered the nearly full hall to a thunderous crowd. They were on fire with unconditional support for their human instrument for change.

As Jim and Ivor worked the entire room with cameras, I found a comfortable place to just watch and see what magic this Senator from Illinois embodies. Ironically, I chose the worst location in the hall for sound. My rock and roll ears couldn’t pick out every word he said, but I’ve heard him on TV and radio. I didn’t need to hear every word. I wanted to see the rabbit come out of the hat. I wanted to see him guess what card was missing from the deck. I wanted him to levitate the sign language interpreter. I at least wanted to see him strut the stage like Mick Jagger.

That is not what I saw. I’m not even sure that the faithful followers saw what they expected. I’ve seen management. What else can he show us?

Obama’s demeanor surprised me. He is a man that appears to be totally comfortable with himself. He spoke for an hour and a half, with no notes or prompters. I know he has a stump speech that he uses with some modifications everywhere, but it sounded fresh.

His speech is soothing, but the audience responds loudly. He is completely confident, but without a hint of arrogance. He neither hesitates, nor hurries through any part. He points at the crowd with his index finger, eschewing the politician thumb point. While others look silly, trying to be more polite by waving their thumb, he is pointing his finger at YOU, yeah you, in an inclusive “I am with YOU,” or “I care about YOU,” kind of way.

There is some show. Some is initiated by Obama, and some is initiated by the audience. A spontaneous yell of, “We want change!” from and audience member initiates a chant of the same from the rest. Obama waits patiently, enjoys the moment, and starts up again right on cue. Obama runs out a string of “We can’t wait for…” items in rapid succession. The crowd starts chanting, “We can’t wait!” When Obama says, “Say yes, we can.” The crowd happily complies.

Obama, in a way that is reminiscent of Kennedy’s “Ask not..” speech, asks his audience to take responsibility. “All these things are possible, but they depend on you.” “Change in America is hard.” Among other things, he lists schools as hard to fix, and consistent with his statement that change is not from the top down, but happens from the bottom up. He asked parents to turn off their TV sets while their children study, as one of the many ways to fix schools in America.

Obama walks his platform casually. Sometimes his eyes almost shut while concentrating on his words like a singer wanting to deliver a 1930’s standard in just the right way so that you not only hear those lovely lyrics, but you feel them the way they were intended. Other times he stands still, with one hand in a pocket, while he seemingly speaks directly to each member of the audience and looks each and every one of them straight in the eyes.

I watched Obama as the crowd cheered and clapped. He pointed the microphone at those standing in front of him and swept his arm across them, as if he could make each one of them louder than they already were. As he then turned, the smile grew on his face.

“Hope” and “change” were the themes of the night. They made me think of the 43 year old Kennedy speaking of a “Whole new generation of Americans…”

Do we want our president to be an expert, or a leader that can rally and unite people for the common good? How does either affect our position in the world?

I’m not convinced that Kennedy was a great president, but I do know that his shining moment was when HIS style and demeanor made cooler heads prevail in the Cuban missile crisis. Without his thoughtful leadership, communication with adversaries, and his patient resistance to aggressive generals that favored a nuclear response, our world would be a very different place today.

Obama left the stage while the P.A. blasted Stevie Wonder.

“Ooh, baby.

Here I am, signed, sealed, delivered.

I'm yours.

Here I am baby.

Oh, you've got the future in your hand.

Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours.”