UVM Student Introduces Sen. Barack Obama to Wildly Enthusiastic Crowd – and Sets Her Own Sights on DC

By Lynn Monty

Seemingly straight out of the latest Spiderman sequel, people scaled the walls and windows outside University of Vermont’s Ira Allen Chapel during the lunch hour on March 10. Speeches from Illinois Senator Barack Obama and Vermont Congressman Bernie Sanders planned for noon in the chapel were delayed by Obama himself who, bullhorn in hand, attempted to pacify the more than 1000 irate individuals who were refused access into the venue.

The charged chapel, which seats 900, had reached capacity well before 11 a.m. – prior to the arrival even of the shuttle buses organized for the event.

Obama, elected in 2004, gained worldwide attention with his powerful keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston earlier that year.

University of Vermont student Kesha Ram, retiring Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle, and State Senator Peter Welch each made welcoming remarks to introduce Sanders and Obama.

“Bernie wanted a UVM student to kick off the event, which only seemed fitting since it was taking place at UVM,” Ram told Vermont Woman. “He especially wanted a female student since it would otherwise be an all male line-up.”

In her speech Ram told the crowd that Senator Obama was a personal inspiration for her. “I am honored to be on stage with such an influential political figure,” Ram said.

Like Obama, Ram is a product of an interracial and international marriage. Her mother is from Chicago (Senator Obama's headquarters) and her father from India. “I hope to be an elected representative one day, and maybe even president. I think this country needs more women in high places, and I plan to be one of them,” Ram said.

Obama’s visit to Vermont was in support of Bernie Sanders and the theme for the day was “Taking Back Our Country in 2006.” Obama also attended the Sanders fundraiser at the Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center in So. Burlington following the event.

Sanders, the longest-serving Independent in Congress, was elected to the House in 1991, and now is in the race to replace retiring incumbent, Senator Jim Jeffords. Among those Sanders is running against is Republican Senate candidate Rich Tarrant.

After welcoming comments from Clavelle and Welch, Sanders told those tightly gathered in the bulging chapel, “Your presence tells me this small state will lead America in a new direction.”

Sanders voice carried so even those listening to the speech through cell phones or with ears pressed against the building from outside could hear, “Freedom, Freedom, Freedom!” he shouted mocking the Bush administration. The crowd, inside and out, pounded and screamed when Sanders voiced, “What about the freedom of a woman to make the most personal decision in her life?”

Amid the serious issues, Sanders also poked light-hearted fun at the attire of former Governor Howard Dean, as the current Democratic National Committee chairman sat in the front row. “Because Dean is back in Vermont, he thinks he can get away with dungarees,” Sanders quipped.

After riling up an already over-excited crowd, Sanders introduced Obama. Minus handmade signs bearing his name, the standing ovation for Obama was a sight more likely to be seen on an episode of American Idol than at a political rally.

Obama immediately opened with kudos for Vermonters claiming, “Vermont folks walk their talk,” he said, “You have a say-what-you-mean attitude that this country needs – there is a cool blast of truth here in Vermont.”

Obama said that with the current administration in Washington there has been an overall withdrawal from the public spirit towards government because, at best, Americans hope that government causes no harm. He stressed that citizens must re-engage to create the change America so badly needs.

Currently the dominant philosophy in Washington is that life isn’t fair, he said. “If you have two jobs, no health insurance and your child gets sick, you go bankrupt, Washington will tell you – too bad.” Obama went on, “Washington tells Americans, if you are not smart enough to pick wealthy, supportive parents – too bad.”

Government can’t solve all of our problems, but it can at least make an attempt at helping, Obama said. “It’s not too much to ask for a living wage, health insurance, to die with dignity and respect, honesty in foreign policy and maybe throw in clean air and water. “Is it too much to ask for a health program to be written on behalf of the people not the drug companies?”

Obama ended his well-received oration by quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who said that the arch of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. This arch does not move on its own, we have to put our hands on the arch, Obama urged, and do what it takes to turn this country around.

One of the last to be squeezed into the chapel, Burlington Reiki Master Dawn Heim came to see Obama specifically because she had been so impressed with his DNC keynote speech: “I couldn’t miss it,” she said. “I am curious about this Senator’s path and his future aspirations.”

Lynn Monty is a journalism major at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester.

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