by Leora Falk
The Barack Obama fans and volunteers who gathered at Howard University for a self-described pep-rally for Obama were in for a suprise. As they walked from the metro station they prepped themselves for displaying a show of support without a showing from their candidate.
“What do you mean, we’re not going to see him? We’re not even going to see the debate?” one disgruntled student muttered. “No. We’re just here to show how much we support him,” her friend answered as the two of them joined others holding Obama ’08 signs and wearing Obama t-shirts. But just as the cheers were getting softer and someone quipped she would like “an Obama water” Obama himself pulled up to the curb.
The crowd of jumped off of the wall they had been standing on and mobbed the candidate, holding up cell phones and cameras trying to capture a picture. “I’d like to thank the students from Howard University… just keep doing what you are doing” Obama said, barely audible over the screams before getting back into his car. Cheering fans compared photos and handed out stickers before walking to the building that would hold a simulcast.
But a small group who broke off and crossed the street towards the Hillary Clinton supporters. “They’re not going to the debate,” one Obama volunteer observed, “they are going to start a fight.”
No violence broke out, but the volunteer giggled nervously.