Ohio Obama Campaign Launched

[MadBadger]

Obama Supporters Hold Organizing Rally Ahead Of March 4 Primary

Web produced by: Neil Relyea


COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Supporters of Barack Obama's presidential candidacy joined Mayor Michael Coleman and Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin to formally launch Obama's campaign in the state ahead of the March 4 Democratic primary.

An estimated 500 people packed a meeting hall on Saturday, spilling out onto the street, as Coleman, Cuyahoga County Commissioner Timothy Hagan and other Ohio elected officials spoke.

Obama volunteers began organizing door-to-door walks, street-corner rallies and phone banks at the event, one of 11 across the country organized by the Obama campaign this weekend.

Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign held a similar rally in Columbus on Jan. 19, with Gov. Ted Strickland urging supporters to help Clinton in other states through phone calls and fundraising.

Obama and Clinton are in a tight race for the party's nomination, and the campaign could remain clouded even after Tuesday's voting, when 22 states hold Democratic primaries and caucuses.

That means that Ohio's Democratic primary will likely be competitive.

Until recently, most election watchers in the state thought nominees for both parties would be as good as chosen before March.

"Ohio, now it's your chance," Durbin, the national co-chairman of Obama's campaign, said on Saturday. "Now it's your time."


Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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