Obama’s Atlanta supporters: ‘He knocked it out of the park’

It was standing-room-only at Amsterdam Cafe in Midtown and the optimism was palpable among more than 200 Democrats who crowded around the bar’s televisions to watch Barack Obama’s historic acceptance speech.

Most patrons who were sitting on the patio outside moved indoors to catch what one called, “An event, not a speech.”

Enlarge this image

Allen Sullivan/aesullivan@ajc.com

At the Amsterdam Cafe in Atlanta, Brendan Antunez (left), Frantz Dautruche (behind Antunez) and other supporters of Barack Obama cheer during his televised acceptance speech Thursday night.

McCain vs. Obama:

• Full coverage: News, blogs, photos

[an error occurred while processing this directive] Staying informed:
• FAQ: Early votIng guide
• Georgia Voter Guide

The issues:
• At a glance: Compare | Your stances: Interactive | Priorities: Rank 'em | Impact on taxes: Video

PLUS:
• Political Vent | Mike Luckovich
• Georgia Politics
• Window on Washington

Surveying the gathering, Tim Carol, president of the Young Democrats of Georgia, noted the difference between this speech and John Kerry’s four years ago. “The crowd is a lot more diverse,” he said, “and excited.”

Chatter was at a minimum as the crowd, comprised largely of party activists, followed along as if they were inside Denver’s Invesco Field.

No applause lines were missed.

They were ready to be convinced, and judging from the response, Obama delivered.

“I was a Kennedy girl in 1960. I’m an Obama girl now,” said Amy Aidman of Atlanta, who watched along with her sister.

“I thought he was eloquent,” Carolyn Aidman said. “I feel we’re at a tipping point, and the energy you’re feeling in this room can literally cause change.”

Rodrick Glass of Atlanta was thinking about his father as he watched.

“My father just passed away in April,” he said. “I wish he had been here to see this because this is what he wanted.”

The historic impact of the night was not lost on Glass. “It was very emotional,” he said.

“We never thought we’d see this [an African-American] nominated for president,” said his friend Reggie Stotts of Atlanta. “This is a watershed moment in American politics. Tonight proved that Barack Obama is a once-in-a- generation candidate.”

“He knocked it out of the park,” Stotts said.