A number of San Franciscans said “Move over Alcatraz! There is a new rock in town!” B-rock! Brarack Oama was at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on November 14th, where he spoke about his stance on many of the issues such as health care, the war and even gay marriage. The line of people waiting to get into the convention wrapped around a few blocks. It was a strange mix of college students; high school kids, middle class suburban people and with a woman dressed as if she were going to a club rather than a political event. Before the doors opened I talked to some people out side mostly young people between 16 and 22 years old, most of then said they liked Barack because of his charisma and that they didn’t really follow any outer candidates.

Inside the event, there were stadium balcony seats that wraps around the room and a general admission floor area. People stood around in front of a stage, in the crowd there were some young woman that could have easily been a Fall Out Boy concert. There were men and woman dressed in sensible casual clothing that could have easily been going to a dinner party afterwards, there were college students with Barack and Role t shirts that could have easily been at a kegger. After about 50%of the crowd field in a quire hit the stage.

I’ve always found it interesting how Barack Obama runs his rally’s almost like church, the only big difference on this night was that churches don’t serve beer, last time I checked any way. In true sporting event fashion plastic cups of frothy golden beer and green personal sized pizza boxes could be seen scattered about the crowd.

There were a few speakers before Obama came on stage, they all talked about him like he was the second coming JFK and Marten Luther King all wrapped up in one. Between speakers mostly old soul songs played over the P.A. system, ‘We are family get out every body and sing!’ People that looked like they have never even heard the words danced before throwing their fists into the air, and bending their elbows in some bizarre ski stance and started moving in way that looked like it hurt and was very pleasurable to them at the same time. Somewhere between the songs ‘aint no mountin high enough’ and ‘its your thang’ the wave broke out in the balcony and I could help but wish I brought a foam finger.

When Barack finally did get on stage the crowd erupted signs flew up in the air every one was out of there seat like some one hit a game winning shot, he greeted the crowd with “hey” and ” what’s up”. When he began to actually speak I could tell why people like him so much. He definitely has a way of engaging his audience. He kind of paced back and forth on the stage making the classic politician fist with one hand and holding the mic in the other. When he made an agreeable point the crowd would get to their feet clapping and whistling, you could tell by there enthusiasm they really believed in what he was saying and with all the excitement it was hard not to get caught up in it.
—Donny Lumpkins