Missoula crowd cheers, weeps for Barack Obama

By Keila Szpaller - 04/06/2008

AP Photo Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, right, reaches over the crowd to take 8-month-old Natalie Pankratz-Osborn of Missoula at a rally at the Adams Center at the University of Montana in Missoula Saturday.

MISSOULA — Missoula roared Saturday morning for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama. In the Adams Center, Montanans shook their collective booty, held up their babies and even wept for a presidential candidate they believe will restore the American Dream in their towns and integrity to the White House.

“I’ve lived here in Montana all my life. I’ve never seen anything here like this before this energy today. Montana is coming alive,” said Carole Meyers, of Missoula.

The Illinois senator fighting against Sen. Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination made a rare presidential campaign visit to Missoula. Most years, Montana doesn’t draw presidential candidates. In those quieter years, folks in Big Sky Country must have bottled up the love and attention they could have shown a candidate.

In a throbbing Adams Center on Saturday morning, it felt like that bottle exploded. Screaming fans and watchers of history showered affection on a man whose message of change they said they trusted and believed.

Barry Adams said he normally protests at political events, but even the self-described radical and outlaw raved at the rally.

“I don’t usually go out for straight politicians. But I like Obama,” said Adams, a military veteran.

Obama spoke shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday, so the Garden City stirred early. Some folks walked to the University of Montana campus while the sun was still rising, and shortly after 8 a.m., the line of people that curled out the entrance of the basketball arena and down Arthur Avenue started moving.

Amanda Cooper used the time in line to pretty up her baby, Aislyn, for Obama. As the Bozeman woman made her way into the arena, she used a makeup pencil to write “Kiss me” on the side of her 6-month-old’s forehead.

“Say, ‘Kiss me, ‘Bama.’” A UM student from Thailand brought Obama good wishes from overseas. Prayer Otwong, 22, said she talks with her friends in Thailand about politics in the U.S., and they see a candidate who can help America restore its tainted reputation abroad.

“They’re all excited about Obama,” Otwong said.

People streamed into the stands wearing knit hats to stay warm, and shiny red, white and blue feather boas to show patriotism for change. They came old and young, from near and far. They came to see what some said was one of the most electrifying events to reach Missoula in ages.

“It feels like this is a part of history we’re going to be lucky we saw,” said Mary Kelly, of Missoula.

Rio Aagaard-Shively, almost 12, found seats behind the podium with his brother and father.

“I’m just hoping he’ll turn around,” Rio said.

“Dad. After it’s over, can I go down there and shake his hand?” asked his brother, 10-year-old Ari.

That family is from Missoula, but folks like Jim Eichhorn traveled a ways for a chance to see history in the making.

Eichhorn, 96, came from Bozeman to hear in person a candidate whom he considers truthful.

“It’ll be the first time I ever saw a president. He’s not a president yet, but he will be,” Eichhorn said.

As the arena slowly swallowed some 8,000 people, the bass lines seemed to grow louder and even the ladies and gents still waiting in line started bumping.

At one point, volunteers and guards temporarily lost control of some crowd members when a mountain of people pushed past them to secure what they thought would be better seats.

Missoula’s Patrick Ellison said he and his family had waited in line since 6 a.m. because they thought that would guarantee them a good view.

“Then, they shove us behind him. I just think that’s inane,” Ellison said.

But most folks seemed to be feeling good and they boogied when James Brown sang it over the speakers.

Three Missoula teenagers delighted in nabbing some of the best seats in the house because one uses a wheelchair. As they watched the people pouring into the bleachers, they snapped pictures and e-mailed the photos to a special class of their peers “our poor friends who didn’t get tickets,” said 17-year-old Rachel Chansler.

At 9:22 a.m. in the arena, a flash of stage lights elicited whoops and catcalls from the crowd. At 9:35 a.m., the energized early risers started the wave.

“I just want to touch him,” said one.

Just before 10 a.m., the crowd began chanting Obama’s can-do theme, and they chanted faster and faster.

“Yes we can, yes we can, yes we can.” “Yes-we-can. Yes-we-can.

Yes-we-can.” “Yeswecan.Yeswecan.Yeswecan.” After campaign organizers said thank yous and officials gave introductions, someone yanked the podium off the stage.

Then Obama met his Montana fans “We love you!” and it was Mon-Bamania all around.

When Obama rolled around the word “Missoula” in his mouth and said he liked it, the people erupted. When he told them of Exxon Mobil’s profits, they booed. And when he said that he wanted to get out of Iraq, they yelled and stomped their feet until it sounded like thunder.

“He inspires hope in people. That’s what I want for myself and future generations,” said Tim Healzer, of Missoula.

A handful of folks said they hadn’t yet decided whether to back Obama or New York Sen. Clinton. After the 50-minute speech, though, one woman said Obama changed her mind.

Junell Gill, who is visiting family in Missoula, was a Clinton supporter until she heard Obama talk in person.

“He was just very, very inspiring, and very convincing with his convictions,” said Gill, of California.

Many people left the arena quickly after Obama did, but one man was so moved by the possibility of hope and change that he sat quietly in the stands and cried.

Doug Frandsen said Obama represents hope that there’s something better for this country. The Missoula man said Obama is charismatic, but it isn’t his charisma that speaks to him. It’s his message.

“I don’t think I’ve experienced anything quite like it. I thought the Rolling Stones was good. This is better,” Frandsen said.

Missoulian reporter Keila Szpaller may be reached at 523-5262 or at Keila.Szpaller@missoulian.com.