The stage was set and the Target Center was filling up. As 1 p.m. inched closer, audience members were loud and excited.

The lower level seats were filled and people were still filtering into the top level, more than two-and-a-half hours after the doors opened. The noise level in the arena was deafening, with audience members screaming and chanting like they were cheering on their favorite team.

“Yes we can” and “O-ba-ma” were the two popular cheers, and clapping rhythms also filled the Target Center like they would at the Metrodome. Audience members even sent ‘the wave’ around the arena at least 10 times.

“I feel like a dad surrounded by 12-year-old girls waiting to see the Jonas Brothers,” junior Adam Mallory said. Mallory was at the rally Saturday afternoon.

Obama spoke about health care insurance and his plan for reform.

Mary Kenkel can be reached at mlkenkel@stthomas.edu.