Our concept this morning: Experience Barack Obama's rally with Ted Kennedy in Washington as a "civilian" would.
Our reality this morning: After standing outdoors for more than two hours in a line that stretched along several blocks -- and eventually getting within 20 feet of the entrance doors -- we were told that the roughly 6,000-seat Bender Auditorium at American University was completely full. At least several thousand people were in line behind us.
War Room is written and edited by Alex Koppelman, with contributions from Salon reporters around the country.