Young and old, supporters and opponents see Obama speak

Monday, April 16, 2007

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By Katie Pearson
Neighborhood News Bureau

Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama visited Tampa Sunday, hoping to jump start his campaign in a critically important electoral vote state and also raise some money for the election battle.

Those attending the Illinois senator's rally included both young and old, supporters and opponents.

Obama's rally took place in Ybor City Sunday.

"We basically support his philosophy," said John Martis, 63, of Clearwater. "He's a fresh start. We like the way he thinks. I think he's bringing out the better in politics if there is such a thing. I think this country needs a change, definitely needs a change."

Many people under the voting age also were in attendance.

"I like Barack and would like to see a black man be president," said Tampa resident David Rosenthal, 16. "I'm Jewish and a minority. It would be nice to see a minority be president."

Tampa resident Gaston Jouany, 15, wanted to see whether New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton or Obama has more to offer Americans. He won't be able to vote, but he is looking forward to future elections.

"This will influence me," he said. "It'll help me start from here and have a better understanding of what to vote for."

Cheap tickets

The affordability of the fundraiser drew residents from cities throughout the Tampa Bay area. Tickets cost $25 for general admission and reserved seats were $100 each.

"Tickets are cheap, so you can't pass that up," said Daniel French, 44, of Brooksville.

Earlier, Obama entertained about 100 supporters at a $2,300-a-plate brunch, but the inexpensive fundraiser in Ybor City gave parents the opportunity to teach.

"I came to let the kids get exposed to the political system and see how the process works," said Bob Glaser, 49, of Tampa, who attended with daughter Emmarose, 9, and sons Twain, 14, and Alex, 16.

"Obama brings people from all backgrounds together," said Andrea Andersen, 34, a St. Petersburg resident. "We want to show the political process to the kids and make them feel empowered."

About 2,000 people stood in line for up to three hours to hear Obama speak. Supporters said they hope that Obama will keep his promise to "turn a new page" in the nation's history.

Obama touted teacher pay raises and said teachers should be given flexibility in the classroom. He called for an education system that doesn't leave any children behind and a universal healthcare system that allows children to have checkups instead of using the emergency room as a doctor's office.

"We know that instead of leaving the money behind for No Child Left Behind, that the federal government should've been helping local governments to pay their teachers more, to give them more flexibility in the classroom," Obama said.

Not everyone at the rally was an Obama supporter. Critics stood across the street holding signs.

"We've had a number of politicians that have done nothing to improve our quality of life,"said Abasi Baruti, 26, of St. Petersburg. "We need to hear the real issues that affect African-Americans like mis-education, poverty and police brutality."

Katie Pearson is a reporter for the Neighborhood News Bureau, a program of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.

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