Obama rocks the vote with members of Wilco - Concert and speech aim to energize young fans

[jefferson_dem]

Obama rocks the vote with members of Wilco
THE RIV | Concert and speech aim to energize young fans
December 8, 2007

BY ABDON M. PALLASCH Political Reporter

White House hopeful Barack Obama won even louder cheers than Wilco Friday night as he kicked off a series of Ba-rock concerts he plans to hold around the country energizing young fans.

"The speech was awesome!" Matt Marneris, 23, said as Obama finished at the Riviera in Uptown. "I just came here with my friend. I would have considered myself a Republican, but not anymore."

But from the enhusiastic cheering for the man Tweedy introduced as "the next president of the United States," it might have seemed like it was written for Obama.

The American people "don't understand an administration that treats the Constitution as a nuisance rather than as the foundation of our liberty," Obama said to cheers from multiple levels of fans who spent $50, $75, or $100 to see him and the bands. "This is our moment! This is our moment!"

In a surprise move, four of the six members of Wilco appeared, along with members of Third Eye Blind, whose lead singer Stephan Jenkins promised to go to Iowa for Obama if audience members would pick up their cell phones and call to volunteer immediately.

"I think he's the only candidate who has the potential to bring the nation together and to heal the wounds that have been inflicted by this administration," said Erin Heard, 36, of Libertyville.

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