Supporters wait for chance to hear Obama speak in Dayton

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Supporters wait for chance to hear Obama speak
By James Cummings

Staff Writer

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

RIVERSIDE — A line of a few hundred people waited under overcast skies with a strong breeze and a light rain falling about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9. They came to hear Sen. Barack Obama speak about education at Stebbins High School.

The event is by invitation only.

Obama was scheduled to speak about 10:30 a.m.

Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, was scheduled to speak about the same time in Lebanon at the Golden Lamb.

About one-third of the people in line for Obama's appearance wore union T-shirts or apparel.

One person in line, Tony Kochensparger, turns 18 on the day before the general election and said he was excited to be voting for Obama, the Democratic Party nominee.

"Barack Obama is single-handedly rebuilding the bridge between the government and the people that has been torn down over the last eight years," Kochensparger said. "More than anybody since Bobby Kennedy, I think Obama embodies government of the people."

Marilyn Croker, principal at Patterson Kennedy, a K-8 school in Dayton, came with four other teachers from the school. They were in line early and near the doors as people were allowed in.

"I want to hear a clear vision for the education system nationally," she said. "Not every child has a chance to go to the school of his choice. What is he going to do about schools that are low performing?"

Melissa Cropper, a member of the American Federation of Teachers, drove two hours from Georgetown, Ky., where she teaches.

"But I would have driven across the country to see Barack," Cropper said.

She said she supports him because he supports public education.

No protesters were seen as of 8:30 a.m.

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