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The Civic Auditorium in Omaha was packed to its 11,000 person capacity Thursday, as Barack Obama supporters from around the state gathered to hear the Illinois Senator speak - the first time a presidential candidate has visited Nebraska in almost 30 years.
Several iterations of "the wave" made their way around the arena as people waited for Obama to take the stage. Perhaps some of the audience's zeal could have been chalked up to youthful energy - a significant amount of people in the crowded auditorium were younger than 25 years old.
Students turned out to hear Obama speak his mind on everything from immigration to education. Attendees showed their support for Obama with signs, chants and even T-shirts with the presidential hopeful's face on the front.
Throughout the evening, the Senator stressed a sense of urgency.
"Our health care system is broken. Schools, despite slogans, are leaving millions of children behind," Obama said. "In such an environment, we cannot afford to wait."
Sara Reindell, a senior from Westside High School in Omaha, said she came to get to know Obama's platform better. An aspiring physician, Reindell said she was especially interested in the Senator's stance on health care.
"I think it's ridiculous that people aren't insured," Reindell said. "I just want to hear his thoughts about that."
Even students without strong political convictions stopped by the rally.
"I'm not even a registered Democrat," Kelsey Zach, a senior advertising major from UNO. "I came because I need to get informed."
Regardless of their personal views, many students agreed on one reason to support Obama.
"He actually came to Nebraska," said Kyle Melia, a first-year law student at Creighton.
Conor Oberst and few fellow musicians, some from Oberst's band Bright Eyes, played a brief concert at 4 p.m. to help fill the time leading up to Obama's speech.
Amanda McGill, a Nebraska State Senator from District 26, Lincoln, said including live music during the rally helped young people identify with Obama.
"I think Obama himself attracts a younger demographic," McGill said.
McGill said she was expecting a great turn out for the caucus on Saturday, based both on the success of the rally and the high number of Republicans switching to the Democratic party.
"Eight out of 10 calls to the party office have been people wanting to switch parties," McGill said.
"I came to support Obama," said Greta Hjolie, a freshman English Major from Creighton. "I didn't even know Bright Eyes was going to be here."
After the show at the Civic Auditorium, a number of Obama's supporters moved on to a second rally point - a concert at the Slowdown, featuring Bright Eyes, M. Ward, Jim Ward of Sparta and Secret Life of Sparrows.
In between their set lists, performing bands shared their own political views and tried to get concert goers fired up about Saturday's caucus.
"They asked if we wanted to share the stage with Bright Eyes. We said sure," said Jim Ward, lead singer of the band Sparta. "Then they asked us if it was OK if the show was an Obama rally, making sure I wasn't on the 'other side.' "
adamtempleton@dailynebraskan.com
