Barack Obama struggled to reach the stage at Bowie State University's gym hall yesterday, stopped at every turn by requests to autograph his new book, a photograph or the cover of Time magazine with his picture on it , writes Denis Staunton in Bowie, Maryland
In Maryland to campaign for the state's Democratic candidates, the Illinois senator received a rock star's reception at this mainly black university, played into the auditorium by the Symphony of Soul, the college brass band.
"If we're focused, we're going to deliver and we're going to win," Mr Obama declared, urging the students to put all their energy into getting out the vote next Tuesday.
With his easy, intimate speaking style, his 1,000-watt smile and the stardust of celebrity, Mr Obama is much in demand at Democratic rallies in advance of Tuesday's congressional elections. He said last month that he is thinking about a run for the presidency in 2008 and some in the audience at Bowie wore badges urging him to do so.
Opinion polls point to a Democratic victory in the House of Representatives and the party believes a Senate majority could also be within its grasp. Maryland Senate candidate Ben Cardin, a veteran congressman, is ahead in the polls but he has faced an unexpectedly strong challenge from Republican Michael Steele, who is black.
"I think it's great that the Republican Party has discovered black people," Mr Obama said to loud cheers. "But you don't vote for somebody because of what they look like. You vote for what they stand for." Democrats are channelling money to 50 races in 26 states, putting Republicans on the defensive in districts regarded as safe less than a month ago. Democrats expect to gain between 20 and 35 House seats, well above the 15 they need for a majority and are confident of winning at least four of the six seats needed to take the Senate.
In Missouri president George Bush pressed home the message that Democrats have no plan to keep Americans safe from terrorism. "If they say they want to win the war on terror, but call for America to pull out of what al-Qaeda says is the central front in this war, ask them this question: 'What's your plan?'. The truth is the Democrats can't answer that question. Harsh criticism is not a plan for victory. Second-guessing is not a strategy," he said.
Mr Obama told his student audience that he saw a serious, sober mood among American voters, who were angry about Iraq and wanted a new approach in Washington. Quoting Dr Martin Luther King to the effect that "the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice", Mr Obama reminded the students of their role in fulfilling that prophecy. "It doesn't bend on its own. It bends because we put our arms on that arc and bend it towards justice."