Yesterday (Saturday) Barack Obama was in Saint Louis, under the Arch, with 100,000 of his closest friends. According to recent WU alum Corey Webb, 'the sun shined a little brighter when Obama came up.' Many WU students were in the crowd, some standing very close to Obama [Kesley Robertson, sophomore] and some making eye contact and becoming bffs [Anna Dinndorf, alum] with the senator.

-The Arch-
To many people, WU students included, the Arch is a symbol for Saint Louis. It spruces up designs, logos, and advertisements, and can be seen on t-shirts and hats all around the city. But the Gateway Arch is about so much more than Saint Louis, Missouri. Construction on the Arch began in February 1963 and the last section of the Arch was put into place on October 28, 1965. No one died while making the Arch, and because computer technology wasn’t what it is today, relatively unsophisticated instruments were used. That’s pretty awesome, considering the margin of error was 1/64th of an inch.

But why? Known as “the Gateway to the West,” the Arch was constructed to commemorate Western expansion in the United States. From destination360.com:

The St. Louis Gateway Arch honors three distinct events in the history of the United States; the Louisiana Purchase, the establishment of the first cathedral (the Basilica of St. Louis), and the Dred Scott Case. As many Americans are aware, the Dred Scott Case ended in an 1857 ruling that African American slaves could never become citizens of the United States. This portion of St. Louis Arch history sparked intense public debate at the time, and many feel that this section of St. Louis Arch history was one factor that sparked the American Civil War.

In more basic terms, the Arch is a symbol of progress. Of movement. Of hope. Of change, if you will.

-More Symbolism-
Missouri, neighbor of Illinois, which is home of Senator Obama, is a republican-leaning swing state. According to Politico.com, Obama is currently leading McCain by about 2 points, but Missouri turned red in the last two elections. Under the Arch, looking to the city of Saint Louis with his home state behind him (literally! what more do you want?), Obama spoke to win over (whether for the first time or the fiftieth) Saint Louisans and Missourians with his policies. Will it work? I guess we’ll find out in 16 days, 13 hours, and 5 minutes. But who’s counting?

-In case you need more-

Saint Louis is getting its fill of Democratic Political rallies this weekend – former president Bill Clinton is scheduled to hold a rally tomorrow (Monday) at Kirkwood High School [801 West Essex, Kirkwood, Mo – 12.3 miles, about 28 minutes away from WU]. Doors open at 6:30pm – RSVP at my.barackobama.com/KHS if you’d like to attend.

-One last thing-

Oh yeah, Colin Powell endorsed Senator Obama this weekend.  

Colin Powell, the rock of Republican foreign policy since before you were born.  Colin Powell, retired General in the US Army, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under George H. W. Bush, former National Security Advisor to Ronald Regan, and former Secretary of State under George Bush.  This guy knows what he's talking about, and this guy usually works with Republicans.  And he's endorsing Obama.

Just sayin'.