My son is a student at Penn State University, where he got to attend a kick-ass concert for Obama last night! Penn State is smack in the middle of Pennsylvania, and I can report that it is an oasis of Obama-mania. During the primaries the students were organized and enthusiastic, and when we were there in August there were already plenty of lawn signs visible.
This fall the Penn State football team, the Nittany Lions, led by the legendary Joe "JoePa" Paterno, have come roaring back and are ranked number three in the nation. School spirit was practically invented at Penn State, which boasts the largest alumni organization of any university, and during football season the stadium (which seats 110,000) is routinely sold out. So imagine a student body with that kind of enthusiasm getting all fired up for Obama. Well, it happened last night.
As my son reported, "The concert was pretty darn good. Allman brothers opened with the usual favorites, then Obama spoke via pre-recorded message... and then the Dead came on to a standing ovation, and earned it. Might be the best $30 I've spent in a long time."
The Allman Brothers, the Grateful Dead, and Obama: Does it get any better?
UPDATE: Wow, thanks for the comments! I just want to add that Rolling Stone online reports that Bryce Jordan Stadium, which holds 16,000, was sold out for this concert.