Monday was a big day for Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama as he won the support of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., at a boisterous rally at American University. If his campaign and the cable networks didn’t capture enough of the event, they can turn to countless members of the audience for audio, photos and video.

As Kennedy gave introductory remarks, one young man positioned on the risers behind him opened his cellular phone to let someone on the other end listen in. He also chatted for a moment or two. When Obama stepped up to the podium, several on-camera onlookers brandished their handhelds. Who knows how many others in the crowd preserved the moment digitally.

I understand the excitement of having a real, live would-be commander-in-chief on campus, but I found the glaring display of gadgetry -- combined with the fluttering "Change We Can Believe In" signs -- distracting from the real reason I watched in the first place.

Perhaps staffers for Obama and the rest of those running for the White House will put the kibosh on brazen, televised point-and-clicking at future campaign stops.