The line to get past the plastic fencing and onto Johnson Field was so long and tortuous that we actually got lost. Somewhere between one end of the University of New Mexico and the other, we wound up marooned on a curb, staring at the better-organized, plan-ahead fans frolicking with their blue and white signs under the field’s big lights and wondering if we’d catch even a glimpse of Barack Obama’s big ears.

Suddenly, the mass of people in front of us surged forward in a single coordinated wave. There were rumors the police and Obama volunteers who were guarding the flimsy plastic fence—all that remained between us and hero worship—were about to open the back half of the field to thousands of line-challenged latecomers. That became irrelevant: The crowd took matters into its own hands (literally) and knocked the fences down (see video footage here). We ran, like hippies to a bonfire, onto the field, shouting and whooping and holding hands. The excitement was contagious. Funk music poured from the loudspeakers. And suddenly a chant went up into the cool desert air: Obamanos! Obamanos! Obamanos!

****

An estimated 40 percent of New Mexico’s registered voters are Hispanic, which is probably why Obama’s usual stump speech about “the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression” and his opponent’s record of voting “with Bush 90 percent of the time” veered into a brazen plea for the Latino vote.

“Latino community, you hold this election in your hands!” Obama shouted, prompting fanatical cheers from the back section. He urged them to vote early, echoing one of the opening speakers, comedian George López, who joked that since Latinos are infamous for being late, they had the potential to “scare people” if they got to the polls early. (Another of López’s jokes touched on environmental policy: “We Latinos invented ride sharing…It was a Latino who first put 20 people in a Monte Carlo!”)

The silver-tongued senator then plunged into immigration policy, promising repeatedly to pursue “comprehensive immigration reform,” that vague but apparently hugely popular proposal, judging by the whoops, shouts and Obama chants. But mob enthusiasm is no way to measure policy, and with Obama’s reputation earlier in the campaign for saying a lot without actually meaning much at all, I’m inclined to be suspicious.

What Obama said:

-He’ll work with Gov. Richardson to “secure” New Mexico’s borders

-He’ll crack down on employers who “exploit” undocumented immigrants

-Even though undocumented immigrants “broke the law,” he’ll work to provide them with a “path to citizenship,” in part because of the sheer logistics: “We can’t deport 12 million people!”

What he (might) mean:

-More money to border security

Though Richardson originally supported George W. Bush’s immigration “compromise” plan—a fence across the border, plus a guest worker program—he later opposed the fence. But in the interest of appearing “tough on immigration,” in 2005 he declared a state of emergency in New Mexico’s four border counties and allotted $1.75 million in state funds for border security measures, which led to more arrests and, according to Richardson’s presidential candidacy website (remember those days?) lower crime.

-IDs for all?

Richardson has proposed a “national ID system” for to discourage employers from blindly hiring undocumented immigrants. Richardson took a cue from New Mexico’s sometimes-controversial decision to allow foreign nationals to hold driver’s licenses. But neither Obama nor McCain (and maybe they’re just scared of the Spitzer parallels that will inevitably be drawn) has said much on that subject. In truth, comparing Obama’s and McCain’s immigration proposals highlights more similarities than differences. Both want “comprehensive immigration reform.” Both want to “secure the border.” Both say they’ll provide undocumented immigrants with a “path to citizenship.” One of the only concrete promises from the Obama camp—which is, incidentally, a crucial one—is that they’ll work to lower fees for legal immigration.

McCain’s plan, though perhaps more defined, is less realistic and therefore less likely to be implemented. McCain wants to create a huge, nationwide program to “resolve the status” of millions of undocumented workers—and he also promises to ensure that no immigrant residing without documents in the U.S. will receive a green card before those who are waiting for one from outside the country. The point? Millions of immigrants will be forced into legal limbo for however many years it takes for the green card applications to stop coming. With today’s economy, that might be sooner than later.

–

After Obama’s speech, we collected our signs and stickers and filed off the field. As we walked home, cars honked and people leaned out of the windows, shouting, “Obama, woohoo!” and “Obamanos!”

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