Will another person have their problem solved by telling the President what's wrong in their life?

I try my best not to sound preachy. But if there was one feeling I have gotten at every event I have been fortunate enough to attend involving Barack Obama, it is the feeling of optimism. When I attended the Obama Rally in Sarasota Florida 5 days before the election, the event opened the gates at 10am. Obama was scheduled to speak at noon. This event was being held in a county that has been republican for 20 years or more. I figured if I arrived at 5 or 6 am, I would be in the front of the line. Well I showed up at 5:10am and there was already hundred and fifty people ahead of me, many arriving as early as 10pm the night before. We stood in that line on a relatively cold day in florida and the entire time, no one complained about anything. Everyone was calm and pleasant, people were taking turns holding a persons spot in line so they could run to get something from their vehicle, several times people came through who were going to get coffee or donuts. Many of us threw in money $5 here and $10 there, and one person came back with 10 dozen donuts and 4 boxes of coffee, the donut place when the order was placed asked why so much, upon hearing it was for the people in line for Obama rally they offered every donut in the store and the coffee all for the $60 the person had with them. Around 8:30 am, the sun was coming up and the secret service arrived to set up screening areas, it was as if there was one giant field of people volunteering to help in any way. By 9am someone estimated the line at over 9,000 people. We had camera crews from all the networks, the talking heads from well known cable outlets, wandered up and down the lines. As the gates opened, many of us in the early part of the line were placed on the infield just a few feet from the podium, while a very select group of local obama volunteers were allowed to sit on the stage behind the podium. I happened to be standing right next to one of the Obama team members and I asked if I could go on the stage, absolutely they said. We sat there for another 2 hours while some local speakers took to the podium, we saw the Obama campaign plane fly in low over the stadium on its descent into the airport. I got the chance to talk to everyone around me, and people were from all walks of life, but everyone was in an amazing mood. Many talked about why they came out, some talked about how far they traveled. Many of us exchanged emails so we could share photos from various angles.
I say all that to say, I am not surprised people in the audience reached out to help people they had never met before. The thing I left that first event with was this undefinable feeling of hope and optimism.

Sorta sends a chill up your leg, don't it?

@ owlcreek: it sent one up mine.

Geez, destry, if I'd known you'd had one of those experiences I'd have ran this Q in your category and made the Yes bet odds higher.... : )

That's a remarkable story and I'm really glad you shared it. It's somehow even more touching coming from someone whose been a Republican voter, I'm guessing most of your life.

I had several WOW moments myself along the campaign. Like when Obama came to Portland and we had the over 75k turnout along the Columbia River. Seeing that many people assembled for him brought a tear to my eye. It was his first super large turnout and it even brought a "wow" from Obama when he hit the stage and saw everyone. I was so proud of Oregon and experienced myself that feeling of 'optimism and hope' of which you spoke.

And volunteering on the campaign was such a uplifting and rewarding treat. As you said, people from all walks of life were pulling together and the mood was, not to be trite but, very 'YES, WE CAN'. We were on a mission and felt empowered, as if our very destiny's depended upon our contribution to the cause. People with cars offered to pair with people without to canvass neighborhoods or get lifts to and from headquarters, someone was always stopping by with treats for volunteers. There was laughter and comaraderie as if we'd all been friends forever.

I've never saw a 'spiritual' movement in any Church that could equal what was awakened in so many Americans being on the same page during the election. Guess that's why the other side calls him 'the Messiah'.

He united us and motivated us to be the hope we seek.

Hope and Change Fundamentalists.

We're talking about The President of the United States, burdened with one of the greatest financial disasters in modern history and solving an inherited war (or two or more):

Does anybody (besides Congress, General Motors, AIG, numerous banks and financial institutions, the porn industry, etc, etc) see him as the NATIONAL FAIRY GODFATHER with three wishes to be granted?

Oops! Actually, I think I just answered my own queston, didn't I?

Obama is a good PR person for the USA but nothing has really change and it won't don't fall for the smoke and mirrors. Ron Paul should have won but must people don't won't to hear the truth. http://www.campaignforliberty.com/,http://www.ronpaul.com/,LoyaltyToLiberty.com,AlanKeyes.com

This is pretty self-evident. All these people needed was exposure. They got lucky when they were picked for the question. I love Obama, but this would happen to anyone asking any president for help in front of a national audience.