Obama mania on the mall
During tonight's rush hour, thousands of people converged, perhaps in pilgrimage, on Independence Mall.
During tonight's rush hour, thousands of people converged, perhaps in pilgrimage, on Independence Mall.
They stood shoulder to shoulder, filling the grassy expanse between the National Constitution Center and Independence Hall, waving, dancing, screaming and waiting for the junior senator from Illinois to arrive.
"Are you ready for change?" a voice squawked over the PA system.
"Yes!" the crowd thundered.
Troy Pititt, 45, wearing a shirt that read "Proud to Be an American," was among the many prepared to wait hours to see Barack Obama. He had come, bearing campaign buttons, from Springfield, Ill.
"All of our buttons are union-made," Pititt said. "Two for $5 and one for $3."
His buttons, which bore images of Obama and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., of Obama gesturing, Obama smiling, Obama kissing his wife, were unusual, and business at Fifth and Market Streets was brisk.
"I like him 'cause he's a Democrat and he's young," Pititt said. "I think we need young for change, and I think he's the one to do it. I'm not just saying that. I believe that in my heart."
There was not a Hillary Rodham Clinton sign in sight.
The crowd wore Obama's likeness on buttons, shirts, hats and signs. A "Boilermakers for Obama" blimp floated.
A man at Fifth and Market yelled at anyone who passed by, "If you're tired of the drama, vote for Obama."
Another rode a vintage bicycle with a homemade Obama sign taped to his back.
If their efforts seemed frenzied, perhaps it was because in four days, Pennsylvania Democrats would vote for their party's presidential nominee, and the candidates are in a tight race.
Alex Morgan, 65, from the Mount Airy section of the city, said he was there because he did not like the tenor of the campaign.
"I don't like the 2-on-1 style of it, Clinton and McCain against Obama," Morgan said. "They have the same agenda, the same thing that's been going on for the last eight years. People are ready for change."
Andrew Zimdahl, 23, from the Art Museum area, said he also was there because of Clinton.
"I'm disgusted by her sense of entitlement," said Zimdahl, who wore a T-shirt on which he had written, "Don't Tell Momma I'm for Obama."
"I think she's being selfish and her attacks are quite petty," he said. "I just hope her petty attacks work against her."
Michael Lundy, 32, an artist from Roxborough, came to the mall yesterday to show off his work, a painting of Obama in the shadows of King.
On the painting, which also bears dozens of black faces, some with their fists in the air, was written: "One Hope. One Dream. Yes We Can Achieve." It is a message he said he takes to heart. He said he has been inspired by Obama's historic achievement - becoming the first viable African American candidate for president.
The piece was not for sale. He said he just brought it to show and inspire others.
"Now that he's so close, he inspires me to never give up," Lundy said.
