Area Democrats gather to hear Obama on 45th anniversary of King’s speech
McCain VP announcement coming FridayBy Jessica VanderKolk, jvanderkolk@altoonamirror.com
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Text of acceptance speech
Penn State Altoona freshman Sam McLoota said he remains undecided between Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, but said he got some good information from Obama Thursday night.
"I agreed with some of his policies," McLoota said. "The only think I disagree on is relying on oil and natural gas only in America within 10 years. I don't think it could happen in 10 years."
Area students and community residents gathered at Juniata College and Penn State Altoona to drum up support for Obama and watch his nomination acceptance speech to close the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
About 150 people filled the Ellis Hall ballroom at Juniata, watching CNN live from the Denver convention, eating free pizza, registering to vote and signing up to volunteer with Obama's campaign.
Sebastian Brown, a senior and head of the Juniata College Democrats, expected to hear Obama give a "call to arms" for Democrats to move forward with change. Brown hopes to do more with the campus group, which has not existed in recent history.
"We've finally put Republicans and John McCain on the defensive," he said. "I think we've found our voice in this convention. We're for things, not just against things."
Roy Nagle of Huntingdon, enjoying a slice of cheese pizza with his daughter Thea, 6, said he was glad to bring his children to see the speech because the family does not have a TV at home.
"I'm very excited to hear what he's gonna say," Nagle said. "This is a historic moment. I expect him to be inspirational."
On the issue of Democratic unity, sophomore Andy Dobday said he didn't know if Obama needed to spend much time discussing it after speeches from other prominent Democrats during this week's convention.
"I think things have been smoothed over the last couple weeks, so it should work out fine," he said.
Juniors Alison Banks and Jessie Neumar agreed party unity should be the main goal.
"I think he has the potential to unite the country," Banks said. "I'm hoping he'll say some things to make the party one."
At the Penn State Altoona event, which drew about 35 people before Obama began to speak, Patrick Murtagh didn't want to hear more about unity.
"He should just stop talking about it," said Murtagh, who heads the campus Students for Obama group.
In fact, Obama addressed specific plans for his presidency, such as changing bankruptcy laws, protecting Social Security for future generations, and reducing America's dependency on foreign oil within 10 years.
"The last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle class," he said.
McLoota said he plans to watch McCain's acceptance speech next week at the Republican National Convention and will compare the two candidates.
Freshman Marcus Correll doesn't need convincing and said he loves "The big O."
"I think he covered everything he possibly could," Correll said of the speech. "I've heard him speak a lot of times but have never been so moved by what he said and laughed so much at what he said tonight."
Chris Eckenrod of Gallitzin said Obama reiterated much of what he's said throughout the campaign.
"I thought it was really good, and I liked how he talked a lot about getting America back to what it should be," she said. "And how we look to the rest of the world, because I don't think right now that we put on a good face for the rest of the world."
Mirror Staff Writer Jessica VanderKolk is at 946-7465.
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homerbeep
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09-07-08 6:22 PM
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Let us never forget that Martin Luther King was a Republican.
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UNCOMMONSENSE
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08-29-08 5:34 PM
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Both Bill Clinton and Obama gave very powerful and moving speeches. But the most powerful were the common working class speakers that told it like it is.
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Chuxspringer
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08-29-08 4:53 PM
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I'm sure Obama wants to increase their foreignaid: Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe on Friday handed the country's only Olympic medalist in Beijing a $100,000 cash reward for her performance at the games.The U.S. dollars, scarce in a country struggling with an economic crisis marked by a severe shortage of foreign currency, were carried in a briefcase by Zimbabwe's central bank governor.
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lambs1
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08-29-08 4:24 PM
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Got red stirred up!
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redfox666
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08-29-08 3:19 PM
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seven homes huh, wait till you hear what mccain has been up two??? hmmmmmmm.I WONDER ARE ANY OF THOSE HOMES IN ALASKA...
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Chuxspringer
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08-29-08 12:23 PM
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Check out McCains pick. Sounds more like a moral christian than Biden.
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epb262
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08-29-08 11:48 AM
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William Ayers, Barack buddy, terrorist.
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cowher12
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08-29-08 9:26 AM
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As a graduate of Juniata College I am ashamed that many people gathered to unknowningly celebrate Socialism and Higher Taxes. In another note...Obama did not say or reveal anything he hasnt ever said before and he was extremely ambiguous on many items. He will cut taxes on 95% of working families...Define working families. He continues to take credit for the exit strategy in Iraq yet exit would not even be a discussion if it werent for McCains 4 year battle to get a surge to make Iraq peaceful. Obama is reaching for credentials at this stage because being called on experience to lead by McCain is really hurting him. Unfortunately Obama made your standard liberal speech with no real revelations he just orated the speech very well.
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Chuxspringer
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08-29-08 9:19 AM
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I'm always mystified by how the President is always blamed for EVERYTHING. Congress spends our money if it is spent, the President basically only has the right to veto.....NOT SPEND! Pray tell which party, hint Dmocrats has been in control of Congress for the past 2 years? All during the time this economy has TANKED. The weakened dollar is the result of their policies. That is why prices are high.
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imovedaway
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08-29-08 8:47 AM
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Some of his statements were untrue and some of his promises impossible to keep. But he said them real nice and isn't that all that really matters to the average voter?
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MeerReedr
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08-29-08 5:29 AM
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<Sigh> Once upon a time I was young, naive, and idealistic, too. Then I became older and realized that I didn't particularly care for nicely-groomed, well-speaking people who wanted to buy everyone else a free lunch with my hard-earned money.
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