The excitement was apparent at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday when people started crowding into the Macomb Community College Student Activities Center in Warren, Mich., ready to see and hear Sen. Barack Obama address the economic stresses facing Michigan workers. A couple of women held Obama signs under their arms as they waited to enter the room where Obama would be speaking. Police cars surrounded the front of the building and three large German shepherd dogs from the K-9 unit were moving through the crowd and up the stairs, sniffing the then-empty, lecture hall-style room before Obama’s arrival. Members of the press made up about a quarter of the crowd, and the event drew out national media, includng MTV and The New York Times. The excited chatter and innumerable news cameras created a sense that something big was just minutes away. 

Susan Watson of Canton, Mich., who describes herself as an “ageless” Democrat and who volunteers for Obama around the country said she was so excited she could hardly sleep last night. “I was like a kid on Christmas Eve,” she said. “I know he’ll get a great reception from the union, people here are Democrats.  Michigan people […] have been hit so hard with economic losses — unemployment, foreclosure. We want someone who will, first of all, be honest, second of all, help people out of this mess, third, get us out of Iraq, and Barack Obama with do all those things.”

There were students in the crowd as well. Stacey, a freshman automotive student from Macomb Community College said she is a Hillary supporter, “I’m not gonna vote for Obama unless I have to. But if its between McCain and Obama then, well, tough choice, right?” she joked.

Mike O., 18, freshman at Macomb Community College, shared before the event: “I’m hoping to hear something … learn something.” After the event he said, “I haven’t decided yet (between Hilary and Barack), I’m gonna wait ’til the end.”

Andrew Stevens of Macomb County Community College (freshman), “I’m not sure, I’m still making up my mind.”

Michael Mendez, board of directors for Michigan Young Dems, “He really spoke to the people today. Michigan is gonna be a blue state.”

Dan Geb from Allen Park is an organizer of Teamsters for Obama, and is an uncommitted delegate: “I know there’s gonna be great support — he supports labor, Teamsters, strong commitment to unions. He gets young people excited.”

Ken Whitaker, communications director for the Michigan Young Democrats (MYD) says he heard about Obama’s visit last night. “I have a widget on my computer and when anything happens my computer starts screaming ‘Obama.’” He said the event was easy to access, and that about 10 people from MYD were in attendance. “I was just explaining to my mother, she was asking, ‘Why doesn’t he come to Detroit?’” I said ‘He’s got Detroit.”‘ This is his first visit, he may not get all the enthusiasm he wished for but he’s just getting started. But I think they couldn’ve gotten a lot more people, there’s an expo center just down the street.”

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Jose Rahaman of Grosse Pointe attended with his wife Jennifer Rahaman; they are owners of a health club. They were waiting outside because they couldn’t get in, hoping to get a glimpse of Obama.  “We’re not Democrats but we like what Obama represents,” Jose Rahaman said. “I think real people can relate to him and he will surround himself with men who are on the right track in getting things done. I see small business owners lose support when people lose their jobs.

“Hillary is no longer relevant in this race. [Obama’s] moving forward to real progress and she’s still clinging to target-marketing strategies — it’s pride that’s driving her now,” Rahaman said.

“We’re pretty straight-ticket Republicans,” said Jennifer Rahaman. For years she and her family have been voting Republican and this coming November will be the first time they break the trend, she said.

“A lot of our Republican friends won’t say they’re voting for a Democrat, but that will change when they get in the voting booth,” Jose said.

“The media can make it about race, but I don’t think that’s the case — I’m here, I’m Indian and German, my wife’s German,” said Rahaman.

After the growing crowd (about 200) made it up to the room
where Obama was to speak, the excited chatter fell away and all eyes were towards the stage, when Jim Fouts, Mayor of Warren introduced Obama, comparing him to former president Harry Truman, one of Fouts favorite presidents.

Isaac Robinson, political director for the Teamsters was very positive after the event,  “I think there was a great reception for Obama. We tried to get a mix of Teamster members, some who were on the fence. I think Obama showed he truly cared about the people and addressed some of the bread and butter issues.”

Jamie Alexander, graphic designer and student from Sterling Heights felt that she was a part of history “I came in here not sure if I was going to choose Hillary or Barack and right now I’m very swayed towards Barack. I think we need hope. We need more arts education. I got to shake his hand and experience a moment in history that I can tell my family and my people about for years to come.”

Juan Escareno from Taylor, described himself as a private citizen and community organizer also liked what he heard. “Obama was great. Very relational. He understands the dynamics of the economic situation we’re in.”

Some were surprised at the welcome Obama received in Macomb. Patricia Gardener, a retired educator from Detroit, was one of them.  “I thought he’d get a lot more static, but what he was speaking about was the truth, and real people responded positively to his down-to-earth approach.” Gardener thinks timing has a lot to do with it as well. “When he spoke out here a year ago he didn’t get this much attention — but things have escalated. People are out of work and don’t have health care and those people are now more in to change.”

Brad Wilson from Mt. Clemens heard about Obama’s visit by word-of-mouth. “He has great ideas about green energy and clean energy for automakers and I really respect that. “He [Obama] could fill a whole stadium, but I liked to be able to see him on a personal level.”

Andrew Redford, originally from New York, had a sign that read “New York Supports Barack Obama.”

“I’ve always been an Obama supporter, 100 percent. My wife and I feel the excitement and I think young people do, too. I wanted to ask him, since I drive back and forth from New York, about what he’s gonna do about the fuel situation but they didn’t call on me … He answered the questions how they should be answered.”

James Brtitton of Detroit: “I think he hit on the right points, he was very persuasive.”

Stephanie, identified only as a private citizen, who did not say how she got in or where she worked: “I read about this in the paper and had some friends pull some strings, but I am an Obama supporter.”

Claire Meal (wearing a Barack Obama T-shirt, from Detroit): “I’m sure he will get a great response. A lot of people are coming here seeking information, they want to know what’s going to happen to their jobs, or how they’re gonna get through this and he’ll answer their questions.”

Deborah (no last name provided) of Auburn Hills said, “He used the common sense approach that everyone can relate to. I think he was awesome.”

Richard Rico, a car salesman from Macomb County said, “I was on the fence between Obama and Hillary, and now I support Obama. You can feel he means it from the heart.”