'Something Stirring in the Air' in New Hampshire

ROCHESTER, N.H., Jan. 8, 2008 — -- On Sen. Barack Obama's final whistle-stop tour before the first-in-the-nation primary, there was simply not enough room on the platform to accommodate the adoring crowds. In Rochester, the overflow included a billy goat and a beauty queen, both of whom wore Obama regalia.

"This train is leaving the station," Obama told supporters huddling in the snow, urging them to vote. "We're about to make history. And five years from now, you don't want to be left thinking you didn't have a role in changing America — because you were sitting on the sofa and not part of the process."

Earlier in the day, in Lebanon, the crowd that turned up at the town hall was double what had been expected.

"We're riding a wave," Obama told the crowd gathered outside the town hall. "You're the wave and I'm riding it."

To the crowd inside the hall, he said, "There's something stirring in the air. You can feel it!"

Obama is brimming with confidence and at times, he's downright cocky.

"We are happy warriors for change," he told the crowd. "We are cheerful about the prospect of taking over." He quickly corrected himself, saying "The American people are taking over their government again. Wouldn't that be a great thing?"

Voters have high hopes for him as well. New Hampshire voter Henry Holmeyer is supporting Obama because he believes he can bring the country together.

"I think he can reach across the aisle and get Democrats and Republicans working together, which is key," said Holmeyer. "I'd like to see someone with his charisma. I see a John Kennedy charisma. This is my third time to see Obama."

Bill Gergen, former chief of staff to President Clinton, has been coming to New Hampshire for 30 years. He says he has never seen crowds like these.

"You heard people talking about Bobby," Gergen said, referring to former Sen. Robert Kennedy who ran for president in 1968 and was assassinated during his campaign. "One man walked up to me and said 'I never got to see Bobby, but I always believed in him. This is another Bobby moment.'"