Barack Obama Campaign Rally in Omaha, Nebraska - Feb. 7th, 2008

Omaha, NE, February 7 - Barack Obama visited Omaha today in advance of Nebraska's Saturday Democratic caucuses. Doors at the Omaha Civic Auditorium opened at 3:30 PM, and thousands of people were lined up well ahead of time. The crowd was estimated at 10,000 in the approximately 11,000 person capacity venue, according to The Boston Channel.

I arrived outside the Civic Auditorium at 3:00, and the line already stretched at least 2 city blocks around both sides of the venue. Seats and floor quickly filled up when the doors opened at 3:30. Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, the Omaha music luminary, opened the show with a short acoustic performance. He personally endorsed Barack Obama, remarking on the urgency of the moment.

Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Iowa Governor Chet Culver, and Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey spoke before Obama took the stage. Gov. Culver officially endorsed Obama for president during the rally. He was impressed by Obama's win in Iowa and his credentials as a public servant. Mayor Fahey changed the city's name to Obamaha for the day of the rally and threw another glowing endorsement Obama's way.

After waiting, and entertaining ourselves with the wave, until about 6 PM for Obama to take the stage, I don't think there was anyone in the building who wasn't impressed. He bounded onto the stage with all the energy and grace of a true and real president, U2's music fittingly blaring. After the obligatory ovations and "I love you backs," Obama thanked Culver, Nelson and Fahey for their presence and support. He then launched into a long, impassioned, detailed stump speech.