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It was a regular day at Boston University’s Agganis Arena. The crowd was screaming, cheering, smiling and laughing. But there was no basketball game and no concert. Rather, there was a politician. A politician?
Proving that politicians can be Rock Stars too, Barack walked on stage to a crowd that anxiously awaited his presence–as a matter of fact a sold-out crowd of 5,800–the largest his campaign has seen thus far.
Not impressed yet? There’s more. Unlike many previous events, every attendee paid for his or her ticket–students, $23 to stand on the floor; most, $230 for arena seats; some, $2,300 for VIP seats and a pre-show reception.
That’s right. It can cost more money to see Barack Obama than it can The Rolling Stones.
Barack promised his enthusiastic crowd, “We will have universal healthcare by the end of my first term.” He’s remarkably believable, especially when you consider that he’s cast in the light of politics. When he said that and the cheers and applause followed, it was quite clear that the 5,800 in attendance trusted him, and a large majority likely gave him their endorsement.
What makes him so credible? It depends whom you ask. Having spoken to several supporters, I know that many feel that it’s his refreshing sense of modesty and his frank, fact-of-the-matter speaking style. Others allude to him being young, empathetic and untainted. I think it’s because strong results have followed virtually everything he’s ever done, and as people read about and research him, they’re coming to learn that when he talks the talk, he walks the walk.
Is “Rock Star” an overstatement, you might wonder. After all, the Senator explains himself that people aren’t paying to see a Rock Star when they make a campaign donation to see him speak; they’re investing in their own futures. And he’s right. I paid $23 to hear him talk about the changes and improvements that I want brought to the national stage. Barack may be the face of the movement, but the movement is about the people, not the candidate.
Still, I maintain that he does hold Rock Star status. The cheers and applause that he receives transcend those of contemporary politicians. At least for myself, last night’s stub will join the ranks of Bruce Springsteen and Dave Matthews in my used ticket envelope.
tags: agganis arena, barack obama, boston university