My wife Donna, my son Matt and I went to the Obama for President open house at the Sioux Falls HQ today.

I’ve been to a lot of local Democratic events and I bet I didn’t know 80% of the people there.

Which is wonderful.

Barack Obama is bringing new people who have never been involved in politics into his tent and the state Democratic Party’s tent.

The full house had young, old, black, white, Native American, people with disabilities, and regular middle aged white guys like me.

The photos below tell the story of the new and diverse faces Sen. Obama is bringing to politics across the country and here in South Dakota.

Yes we can!

My love for the Man Crush grows even deeper.

Yes, that’s my son Matt looking bored. But he said he supports Obama too. We had to promise we’d go to Best Buy after the event. Otherwise, note the large, diverse crowd.



Member of the audience were asked why the supported Obama. I think this photo of the white lady listening intently to the the tall black man says it all. Together we can effect change.



Another telling photo. Note this lady’s engagement and passion.



This Native American man said he was there for his grand daughter, who is holding. He said Obama, like Native Peoples, looks ahead to not what is best for this generation but future generations.



My wife Donna and son Matt. Full disclosure: my eighteen year old daughter Sarah is a Hillary supporter but I still love her. So does my 75 year old dad. I’m not sure who my mom is supporting between the two.

There was also quite a line at the Obama Store, where they were selling—yes SELLING—yard signs and buttons (and tee-shirts). The line was typically 10 deep or so. Kind of like going to a rock concert, you had to get your Man Crush gear.

There are probably at least ten paid staff working out of Sioux Falls. It is obvious that Obama is playing to win in South Dakota. The organizing and voter registration efforts will be wonderful for the party.