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.
