Come on! You know you want an Obama t-shirt!

“I know you love me New York “

Okay I get it now. People are interested in this Obama fellow. Sure I’ve read all the reports about “rock star” Barack but come on! Does anyone really believe the press?

Obama rocked Washington Square last night. While there are no police estimates on how many people were there, the Barack team say 24,000. Personally I can’t vouch that number, but the park was filled to over-flowing because when I got there getting close to the stage was impossible. I did have an expired press pass and thought about flashing it, but thought better of it. Unlike a certain individual I have this thing about being tased by the police so I can be famous on youtube.

Barack! Barack! It’s James! Call me!

Colleague Pauline Park got there before I did and even she couldn’t see the stage. We hung out at the edges and the crowd would have made the Benetton ad team weep. A United Nations meeting, minus the building and some crank saying gays are not in his country.

Now I really don’t want to get sentimental here because there has been a lot of talk about Obama that is sort of loopy; however, there is something to be said about a guy who can attract a diverse crowd. Outside of Bill Clinton are there many living politicians who appeal across racial lines? You will get no predictions from me, but if I were on the Clinton team I would not take New York’s early February primary for granted. Yes New York is Clinton’s yard but Barack could make her have to work for it (which will make her spend money and that’s no good).

Alas, Pauline and I didn’t stay for his speech. We had to head to the New York Public Library on 42nd Street to hear Ken Burns. That crowd was the opposite of the Washington Square contingent. Older (hey I’m a old-head myself so take it easy) and a whole lot whiter. Burns was talking about his new World War II documentary “The War.” Get over your PBS issues and watch it.