A contagious energy filled Hilton Coliseum on Sunday afternoon as people and press gathered for Sen. Barack Obama’s, D-Ill., candidacy address. Just one day after announcing his plans for presidency to an overwhelming crowd in Springfield, Ill., Obama met thousands of fans and their support in a free-flowing atmosphere that felt more like a party than a political rally. Flying discs were soaring and people were grooving as Faculty Lounge, a local Des Moines band, sang “Celebration” while waving Obama 2008 signs in sync with the audience.

“They asked us to be here today. History is being made. I think he is a wonderful candidate and I am glad to back him with what I do musically,” said Aaron Smith, lead singer of Faculty Lounge. “It is time for a change.”

The need for change was a theme in accordance with many of the event’s attendees.

“I came to listen,” said Edwin Rotich, 22, of Kenya. “He knows more about what is going on and has bigger and better ideas. He can make a change.”

Obama gave a press conference before his public address during which he disclosed his proposition for policy change, highlighting teacher salaries, the health care “crisis,” youth involvement and war as top priorities of his agenda.

“I don’t think that there is a more significant set of decisions than to go to war. It is a tragic mistake that should not have been authorized. After thousands dead and hundreds of millions spent, we are not any safer,” Obama said.

Sarah Sunderman, president of ISU Democrats and senior in liberal studies, alongside Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald, gave an introduction as Obama made his descent from the top of Hilton, meeting and greeting supporters along the way.

Students and supporters agreed that an appealing aspect of Obama’s candidacy is his youthful and fresh approach.

Sahin Hoque, sophomore in pre-medicine, said he enjoyed the “good general environment” of the event.

“He is a charismatic and young candidate,” Hoque said.

Obama took the stage with his wife, Michelle, and two daughters. He immediately addressed the issue that has been at the forefront of many Americans – how did he get a name like Barack Hussein Obama?

“My father was from Kenya and my mother was from Kansas,” Obama said with a smile.

It appears as though Obama has the support from many in the demographic he considers to be most important.

“We want young people involved and this is a testimony of what can be accomplished,” Obama said. “Every significant change that has happened in the history of our country is because ordinary people mobilized to do extraordinary things.”

Obama said he hopes to turn the tide on the cynical association that lingers with current politics, and Miller considers him to be the man for the job.

“This is someone who is in politics for the right reason. An extraordinary leader in a difficult time – he’s got charisma and there is no substitute for charisma in this business,” Miller said.

Debt, environmental issues and global warming are topics Obama considers to be of urgent importance, referring to their current handling as being “extraordinarily irresponsible.”

“Throughout my career I have been very consistent in giving government back to ordinary voters,” Obama said.