While thousands waited on the Mizzou campus for their political hero — Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama — Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan was among the speakers warming up the crowd.

“Anybody ready for change?” she asked. A resounding yes met her question.

Carnahan said she recalled dedicating this quadrangle in the name of her father, the late Gov. Mel Carnahan, who died in a plane crash on Oct. 16, 2000, while campaigning for the U.S. Senate.

His daughter said he would be proud “to look down on this place and see this many people, ready for change.”

Robin Carnahan said 40 percent of the newly registered voters were between ages 18 and 24 and are “the secret weapon” in this campaign “but it is up to you to go out and vote.”

Obama also made reference to the late governor in his prepared remarks. Here’s an excerpt:

“Thank you, Missouri!  Thank you for having us here tonight, in this place named for a good and principled man and extraordinary public servant – someone who was as proud of his tenure on the local school board as his time as Governor of this great state – the late Mel Carnahan. 

“ His legacy lives on in the service of his wife, Senator Jean Carnahan, and their children.  And I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to his life than to gather here tonight with so many people who love this country and are determined to change it….”