Las Vegas Weekly

August 28, 2008 · 8:51 PM

Obama speaks

By John Katsilometes

Barack Obama, 2008, INVESCO Field.

Photo: John Katsilometes

You can still feel the fireworks -- for real -- at INVESCO Field, but even long after they've shuttled the 80,000 people out of this stadium, I think this speech will be remembered for generations. For me, the speech took off when Barack Obama fairly shouted, "Enough!"

Amen to that.

Surely there were many more soaring, searing lines, too many to count. But I happen to be seated next to a woman from Denver, Terri Vakoff, who got a ticket to this speech for her mother several weeks ago. And today, Terri wrangled a ticket from a member of the California delegation. She came here with her mom but couldn't sit with her -- she is in the far regions of the stadium, and Terri and I are seated next to each other as a fluke.

During the speech, between roars, Terri told me that in 1960, John Kennedy made a campaign appearance in Durango, Colo. Her mom, now 72 and a lifelong Democrat, did not attend, and has regretted it ever since missing the chance to see JFK.

Now, as the stadium rocks and the Obamas and Bidens wave to the masses, Terri's eyes glisten. I'm sure her mom is similarly affected, and I hope this one was worth the wait.

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