Barack Obama coming to Washington High School

by Dustin Grove (grove@wsbt.com)

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Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill.,

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks at the North Dakota Democratic Convention in Grand Forks, N.D., Friday, April 4, 2008.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Apr 7, 2008 at 3:38 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 8, 2008 at 4:48 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — One candidate has been denied, but another will now get the chance to speak at a South Bend high school. Sen. Barack Obama will be making a campaign stop at Washington High School Wednesday as part of his three-day bus tour.

This comes just a couple weeks after the district denied Sen. Hillary Clinton's request to use Washington's gym for her campaign stop.

School corporation officials aren't talking yet, but the decision likely has to do with the fact that South Bend schools are on spring break this week.

With four weeks to go before Election Day, and the race for the Democratic nomination nearing the final sprint, Obama's so-called "Road to Change" will include a stop this week in South Bend.

“I think it's hard for Barack Obama to win this state without actually coming here,” said U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly on WSBT First Thing in the Morning. “I would expect he would [be here this week.] If he's making a tour, this would be a logical place to go.”

But the location of that stop that may surprise you.

Monday morning, WSBT News learned representatives from the city, the school corporation, and the Obama campaign were at Washington High School — the same school where Clinton wanted to hold her town meeting less than two weeks ago, but was denied.

Monday evening Gannet Tseggai, a spokeswoman for Obama's Indiana campaign, confirmed he will be speaking at the school Wednesday.

“That's not fair,” said South Bend resident Maggie Pallo. “They should allow everybody to be there.”

In a statement last month, Superintendent Robert Zimmerman said, “It has been a long standing practice […] not to allow political campaigning during the school day.”

While corporation officials have not yet commented on Obama's visit, this week is spring break and students aren't in school.

“My grandson goes to Washington and he'd like to see him,” said Diana Morrison.

She just wishes her grandson could've seen both candidates.

“All the kids should have a chance to hear what they both say, you know?” she said.

Doors at Washington High School will open around 8 p.m. Wednesday and Sen. Obama is expected to speak around 10 p.m.

Lines were long Tuesday morning at the West Side Democratic Club and on W. Wayne Street, where people waited to get tickets to the event. You must have a ticket to attend the event and they have already all been given out.

Washington Street from Lombardy Drive to Summit Drive will be closed to through traffic. Parking is available on neighborhood streets, or in the large lot at the former K-Mart at Summit Drive and Western Avenue. From there attendees can walk to the school.

Stay with WSBT.com for the latest on this developing story.

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