BARRY NOREEN: Win or lose, Democrats, Obama have made history

They took part in history.

They laughed, they applauded, they whooped and they were proud - all while watching a television set.

El Paso County Democrats were charged up Thursday as Sen. Barack Obama addressed the nation and officially launched his presidential race against Republican Sen. John McCain.

Republicans will soon have their chance for the same kind of fun, but only the most zealous partisan could fail to see that regardless of the outcome this year, history is being made. A black man has been nominated by one of the two major parties for president.

Not that long ago, such a development would have been dismissed as unthinkable. That Obama's moment came on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s ‘I have a dream' speech seemed appropriate.

Many have said it is irrelevant that Obama is black, but of course it is anything but irrelevant. It was sure relevant to white supremacist idiots who have claimed Obama's candidacy will increase their membership.

Had Obama failed to win the nomination, it would have gone to a woman, which also would have been historic.

Overcoming the excitement generated by Obama is one of McCain's main challenges. That's why early ads have made fun of Obama's celebrity and his relative lack of experience.

"John McCain likes to talk about judgment," Obama's voice intoned from the television set at the Coffee Exchange downtown, "but what does it say about your judgment when you agree with George Bush 90 percent of the time?"

The local Democrats guffawed.

"It's not because John McCain doesn't care. It's that he doesn't get it," Obama added a bit later.

More laughter ensued.

These Democrats, like those who filled Invesco Field, liked it when their man of the hour turned feisty, saying he can't wait for a debate about who will make the best commander-in-chief.

It remains to be seen who will be laughing last. Polls show a close race, and Democrats won't be laughing next week when Republicans get the same prime-time chance to bash Obama & Co.

Many chapters are left in the political story, but more than usual, an air of history prevails.

Democrat Tony Matthews of Colorado Springs said the emergence of a black presidential candidate is historic "for those who are paying attention. This shows the underlying current has changed."

Former City Councilwoman Mary Ellen McNally, a Republican, joined the throng as an Obama supporter.

She said this year is "historic because we are going to experience a tidal wave."

Manitou Springs City Councilwoman Aimee Cox said it's "absolutely historic. I'm excited that the Democratic Party has done this."

Both campaigns have gone negative in the early going and once a race goes negative, it stays negative. Obama and running mate Sen. Joe Biden have unleashed a barrage of abuse on McCain this week.

McCain and Obama have genuine American stories. No one can say they are where they are because of who their daddies were.

By November, millions will be spent by both sides on negative material and for sure, such a deluge of advertising is bound to sink in, so that even the winner will be bruised at the end. It's too bad, but politicians do it because it works.

It's our history.

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Contact Noreen at 636-0363 or noreen@gazette.com. He appears every other Friday on KOAA's Comcast Channel 9 at 4 p.m.