On eve of US presidential election, I shake hands with Obama
The moment came at the end of what is likely to be the last campaign of his career. The moment came after he had revved up and convinced the crowd of over 15,000 people that he deserves to win the US presidential election. He walked over to the area where
The rally in Ohio was an important one for Obama. On his last day of the campaign, he traversed three swing states: Wisconsin, Iowa and Ohio. He travelled with two quintessentially American musical stars, namely Bruce Springsteen and Jay-Z. The musicians warmed up the crowd and reminded everyone why they are backing the president, and why we all should too.
My family has only lived in Ohio for two years. It is the first time that we’ve experienced living in a swing state, where our votes make a big difference in the outcome of elections. The moment would be exciting simply because of that, but personally this election carries more significance for me: this election is the first time that I have been able to vote for a president, as an American.
So when my family and I found out that President Barack Obama was coming through Columbus, with his musical entourage, we made sure to participate. We got up early the week before to get tickets for the event. Our children, though young, were also excited to go. They sense the importance of this election as much as any eight-year-olds can.
We also brought along our Obama volunteer, who has been staying with us. Maddy is her name. She’s a British citizen, born to Indian parents, living in New York City as a graduate student and a theatre producer. Maddy cannot vote as she is not an American citizen, but she is passionate about the election and wants to take responsibility and pitch in. She was thrilled, to say the least, to be at the rally.
The five of us, along with some friends, got in line when the doors opened at noon. The number of people already there was astounding. The diversity of the crowd was even more impressive. People from all walks of life showed up. They wanted to be part of history, too. They wanted to see the president in person and give him support.
We finally entered the arena where the rally would be held hours later. The atmosphere was not too dissimilar from a pop concert: people seemed at ease, even giddy. Most people were wearing some kind of Obama paraphernalia: buttons, shirts, hats, you name it. Conversations were struck up easily because of the shared mission. It felt like a convention of some fraternal organisation.
The wait was long, and in part boring. Nobody knew for sure when the key players were going to show up on stage. Anyone who looked somewhat official created a stir. Occasionally, groups of people would start chanting: “Four more years!” Videos of President Obama were welcome interruptions during the long pauses of inactivity.
And all of a sudden, when it felt like the state of limbo would never end, Bruce Springsteen walked on stage. He played a few solos with his guitar and a harmonica. In between songs, he recounted the president’s accomplishments over the last four years. He was backing Obama then, and he is backing Obama now. He joked that the president would sometimes call him in the wee hours of the night, like a good old friend needing advice. Perhaps that is not far from truth. Bruce sang a few more songs, and then gave the stage to popular rapper Jay-Z.
What a way to rock the arena! Though Jay-Z is unknown to me, he is apparently a very successful artist. The music was loud and rhythmic. My whole body felt like it was being rocked physically by the thumping of the rap beats. Jay-Z worked the crowd. He made us dance, he made us bounce. And then he helped us welcome the president of the United States of America.
Barack Obama walked up on stage amidst exuberant cheers. He seemed comfortable, albeit tired from months of being on the road. He calmed the crowd and reassured us that he will keep moving the country forward in the best ways possible, if re-elected, for four more years.
I was a mere 20 or so feet away from Obama. It was surreal, and yet so real. I could see his self-described “scars”: the wrinkles and grey hair he has accumulated over these four years. And I could hear his actual voice, before it was amplified and echoed through the great hall. When he was done speaking, he stepped down to walk the line. That was when I got to shake his hand.
All eyes will be on Ohio today. Whatever the result, whoever wins the election, one thing I know for sure is that my family and I will remember this night for many years to come.
Shimboon Yoon is Nation editor-in-chief Suthichai Yoon’s daughter and a licensed acupuncturist. She has lived in Columbus, Ohio, for the past two years with her husband and their twins.
