ST. PAUL, Minn. -- As Sen. Barack Obama stood poised to clinch the Democratic nomination for president, it wasn't a question of how many people were going show up at the Xcel Energy Center for a potentially historical moment -- but how early would the masses line up.

For Kate Rickert and Bonni McCallson, two college sophomores, that time was 9 p.m. Monday.

"Except we got kicked out," said McCallson, a student at Winona State University. "We were expecting people here then."

The duo showed up at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, and still managed to get their spot at the head of the line.

Like so many outside the 18,000-seat arena in St. Paul -- the same arena where presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain will become the nominee at his party's convention in September -- McCallson and Rickert were on hand to be part of history.

Obama/McCain Battle: Obama's Strengths?

"Just to be part of the history is extraordinary," Rickert said. "I can tell my kids about this."

Also like many in the line, Rickert and McCallson will be taking part in their first presidential election.

Anthony Maki, 17, was fresh off his high school graduation and all-night party before heading to the arena to wait in line.

Maki has gotten involved in politics through the Internet -- he's friends with Obama on his Facebook and MySpace pages.

"Obama has run social networks through his Web site, which has been instrumental in getting grassroot support," said Maki, who was third in line.

Said McCallson: "He's reaching a different public. That's the power Barack has."

Maki said that this election wouldn't have been the same if not for Obama.

"I probably could be experiencing American politics vicariously," he said.

Stephanie Gilson and Charlee Borg were taking a quick break from waiting in line to play some Hacky Sack. They were taking in the "rock star" environment that was around them and in what they were hoping to see on stage from Obama.

"I'm expecting to get all fired up," Gilson said. "I've never done or cared about something like this that I'd wait in line for five hours just to get in the building."

Up Close Civics Lesson

Chris and Michelle Willis pulled their two kids out of school to wait in line to see Obama speak -- and they were far from the only ones.

Slideshow: Obama Supporters Line Up For History

"It's their world too," Chris Willis said, as 11-year-old Brittany ran over to one of the many T-shirt vendors selling Obama shirts, buttons and hats outside the arena. "This is definitely something they should experience."

Both the Willises children Brittany and 12-year-old son, Bradley Riley, support Obama like their parents do, but came to that decision independently.

Liz Lonetti was with her children Kendra Lonetti, 14, and Patrick Fenne, 9.

"It's one thing to read about this in a history book, it's another to live it firsthand," Liz Lonetti said. "This is a great experience."

Sherrill Rydberg was waiting to get in with her son Eric Salisbury. But they were there at the 14-year-old's behest.

"I just wanted to see him speak," Salisbury said. "He's really motivational and this is a pretty important night."

Where Are You Supposed To Be?

Adam Anderson and Bobby Kempainen, both 19, were near the head of the line wearing suits, Obama T-shirts, buttons, navy socks and white running shoes to quickly make their way close to the stage. Both were supposed to be working.

"It's an important event and you've gotta look nice," said Anderson. "This is history."

College sophomores Will Pendleton and Mattison Lemieux were also in suits, and had made plans to miss work once the event was scheduled last weekend.

"The idea that he can fill any stadium is profound to me," Lemieux said. "Even if he's not elected, I want to look back in 15 years and say 'I saw that guy speak.'"

For Dre Jackson and her uncle, Rod Jackson, almost anywhere Obama is speaking is where they are supposed to be.

The Jacksons, in St. Paul from their home in Gary, Ind., have been around at least Iowa, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan -- Dre lost count -- selling T-shirts with Obama's picture on it.

"We pack up our purple Cadillac with a diamond in the back and go where he goes," Dre Jackson said. "We like Obama and it's time for a change. He stands for a lot we already stand for."

Although she wouldn't specify how much they make, Jackson said that they donate a portion of each T-shirt sold to Obama's campaign.

Clinton's Constituents?

Willis dismissed the notion that Obama would have a difficult time securing the vote of the "working-class" Americans that became one of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's key constituencies in her primary challenge of Obama.

"We're working class," said Michelle Willis. "I think we're past something contrived by the Clintons."

Said Chris Willis: "I'm tired of $800 billion to blow a country up but my kids don't have books in school."

Chris Willis also discounted people's aversion to electing an African-American president.

"I hope people can look past it," he said. "George W. Bush is white, all the other presidents have been white. Look where we are."

Gayle Christensen, Shelley Diment and Sara Sommer are all older than 50 years old, another group key to Clinton's success. Diment was decked out in a rhinestone-crusted T-shirt that spelled out "Obama Mama."

"I think people will be surprised in that we are the typical Obama constituency," Diment said. "I'm grateful for the public service of Hillary Clinton but I did not like they way they ran their campaign."

Once a supporter of Clinton, Jessie Bibeault began the campaign as a Clinton supporter, but switched her allegiances prior to Minnesota's February caucus.

"As the campaign went on, I saw what everyone else saw," she said. "He has an intangible quality that is what this country needs.

"I think that Hillary is a great public servant, but she is not what the country needs in 2008."

Scott Stevenson was in his shirt and tie, skipping out of the end of the day at work. A Clinton supporter, Stevenson was in line so he could see history being made.

Obama: Who Should Be His Running Mate?

"I'll definitely back Obama," Stevenson said, although he said he'd be more enthusiastic about backing Obama if Clinton was his vice presidential pick. "I think this could be a stepping stone for her to get the nomination in 2012.

"I wish it would be reversed [with Obama as vice president], but you take the cards you're dealt."