Bloomington residents and Indiana University students, staff, and faculty flooded the IU Assembly Hall tonight to listen to Barack speak about the "fierce urgency of now."

After being introduced by Indiana Congressman Baron Hill, Barack told the 12,000 plus guests:

The average Hoosier has seen an 8% decline in wages. Less money is coming in at the same time that the cost of everything is going up. The cost of milk is going up, the cost of healthcare is going up, the cost of gas is going sky-high. There are families that are making decisions about buying food or paying rent. These are serious problems that need serious answers.

We can't afford to wait. We cannot wait to fix our schools, to fix our health system, to end global warming, to bring the war in a Iraq to a close -- we cannot wait.

He told the crowd that through his travels across this nation, people are saying that they want something new, that they want a new chapter in Washington. And even more than that, they want a politician who does use political spin, but is honest with them about the issues. Barack reminded everyone that this election is about them, and every vote matters.

Cathy from Bloomington brought her daughter Lena to see Barack speak. Both are Obama supporters and are excited to vote on Tuesday. Cathy said:

He is an honest and truthful candidate. And I believe that he can repair the damage that has been made internationally because of his international background. I believe in hope and change. And I want to leave this place a better place for the next generation.

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