Standing under what is probably the only oak tree left in Oakland, I could see the large white City Hall building in front of me. I could also see thousands of people of different ages and races, mostly of the middle class-looking variety. What I couldn’t see was Barack Obama during his twenty minute speech.

He spoke clearly and with less polish than some politicians, covering most of the typical topics. I appreciated that he laid out his ideas in a way that was understandable. Domestically, he wants to do certain things. However, he can’t do them until we get out of Iraq. This seemed like a logical message with broad appeal.

In addressing the question of his experience, Obama cited his time as a community organizer and civil rights lawyer. His answer to the criticism that he hasn’t been in Washington long enough was that he’s been there long enough to know that it has to change. He promised universal health care by the end of his first term, which got a lot of applause.

As he approached the end of his speech, he became more energized and began to sound a bit more like a preacher. His campaign, he said, was an opportunity for everyone to push for the things that they care about. That thought stuck with me as I milled out with the rest of the crowd. I’m not sure if Barack Obama is the best Democratic candidate or has the most potential to win, but I do hope that his campaign can successfully engage people who otherwise might have stayed at home on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

If you are interested in joining a group of Bay Area Obama supporters email info@bayareadems.org