Run, Barack. Run????

A few hundred people crowded onto the property of Virginia Union University in Richmond to participate in a rally for Virginia senatorial candidate Jim Webb. Sharing the stage with him were three of the most famous Virginia Democrats in the history of the Old Dominion: current Mayor Douglas Wilder, current Governor Tim Kaine, and former Governor (and a once hopeful presidential candidate) Mark Warner.

Despite the local stature of these individuals, it was a Democrat from Illinois that received the loudest cheers from the crowd: Sen. Barrack Obama.

I have heard a great deal about the Illinois Senator. He left his first nationwide impression during the last Democratic Convention where he gave a rousing speech. That speech inspired many to think that, perhaps, they were hearing a future President. If so, Obama would be the first African-American President of the United States.

I was surprised to see the Senator with a sense of meekness in the chilly, sunny autumn November. He, at times, seemed as though he was a bit overwhelmed with the attention he has been receiving of late. During the occasions when one of the local politicians would insinuate that Sen. Obama could be the “next President,” he would smile sheepishly, even once looking to the ground, made awkward with the crowd’s cheering.

Who can blame him? Within the past two years, he has moved from “high-level prospect” status in the Democratic Party to starting shortstop.

Yet, his humble demeanor did not derail is ability to inspire the crowd. Yes, he was among members of his own party, who are further electrified with leaders of their own party as Election Day is less than a week away. And yes, he himself is not running for election, but using his “star power” to elect a hopeful Democrat into the Senate. But that doesn’t guarantee that a politician can still electrify the crowd. His strong presence today did not come from an overt Type-A personality, but a genuine honesty and a relatable quality that makes him especially hard to dislike.

One of his best lines recanted the decision-making process he had when deciding to run for public office. He did the two things that every would-be politician does: he first prayed, and then asked his wife for permission. With a yes from both “almighty decision makers,” he decided to run for Senate.

Whereas Mark Warner comes across as a politician that you can like, Sen. Obama comes across as an individual that you like. There is a difference.

To prove this point, after the rally had ended, and the politicians onstage walked down the steps leading to the grounds of VUU, Senatorial candidate Jim Webb was easily and readily accessible for a handshake, picture, or autograph. However, the swarming crowd forced Senator Obama to return back up the stairs and into a VUU building to avoid those eager to meet him.

At one point, every news camera was inches away from Barrack Obama, with the rally’s spectators crowding the Illinois Senator with copies of his two most recent books for him to sign.

As I began my walk back to the Fan district of Richmond, I saw one man selling t-shirts and buttons that read “Obama for President.”

It’s hard to imagine not seeing more of those as 2008 approaches.