With or without ticket, many just want to be part of history

by Nora Gathings (hsgathings@wsbt.com)

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A supporter of Sen. Barack Obama shows off his ticket to the campaign event at Washington High School on Wednesday April 9, 2008. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Apr 9, 2008 at 4:24 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 10, 2008 at 1:07 AM EST

SOUTH BEND — Around 3,500 people turned out to see presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama on Wednesday night. There weren't enough tickets for everyone, but about a hundred people who thought they would be turned away got inside before Obama took the stage.

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People were willing to stay up past the 10 p.m. start time just to be part of the historic moment. They say it was an opportunity they couldn't turn down.

"I feel like there's going to be some real electricity tonight, and I want to feel it," said Beth Kirkpatrick, an Obama supporter.

Thousands lined up six hours early to see Obama.

"We never thought it would happen in our lifetime," one man told WSBT News.

"Just to say you were a part of it, y'know? Part of the movement," said another.

Even a protester wanted to be part of it.

"South Bend Schools should not have any of the politicians come speak at their schools regardless of whether students are in session or not. There are plenty of other places in South Bend that they can go," said Melanie Kandzierski.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, Obama's challenger in the Democratic presidential primary, wanted to come to Washington High School two weeks ago.

The school corporation said no because her visit was during school hours. It said yes to Obama because it was at night.

"I think it was unfair. If they were going to tell one yes, they should have told both of them," said Danielle Hampton from Adams High School.

"We are not going too miss much anyway. And by being there, we may learn something," said Yuri Sindre, a Washington High School student.

And nothing including school politics is going to stop students from getting excited about taking a front row seat to history.

"They always want to talk about politics now. Before we really didn't talk about it because we really didn't care," said Alvina Brown, an Adams High School student.

"But opportunity is opportunity and we're going to take it as it comes," said another Adams student.

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