Local Obama supporters excited about historic nomination

by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

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Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., right, shares a laugh as he campaigns door to door in Elkhart

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., right, shares a laugh as he campaigns door to door in Elkhart, Ind., Sunday, May 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Jun 4, 2008 at 3:35 PM EST

Story Updated: Jun 6, 2008 at 11:43 PM EST

SOUTH BEND -- Tuesday night Sen. Barack Obama became the first African-American to clinch a nomination for president. The news is creating a lot of buzz across the country and right here in our area.

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Dozens hopped on board to get a glimpse of C-Span's new campaign bus as it rolled into downtown South Bend. But its impressive design wasn't the only thing people talked about.

"So this is great that our country has taken such a big leap," said voter Donna Cawley.

Obama made history Tuesday when he became the first African American to clinch the nomination for president. News spread fast across the area. And supporters like Mayor Steve Luecke couldn't be happier.

"People are really excited about it. I've had people on the street coming up and saying hi and being just so enthused and encouraged," Luecke said.

Keeping to the beat just a few blocks west at the Martin Luther King Center, people say it's exciting, but not surprising.

"Our reaction is it's about time," said Obama supporter Emery Butts.

"Obama is young and he's energetic. And I think that's what most of the people were looking at," said Obama supporter Doc Dase.

With the nomination secured, many supporters say they're looking forward to Obama delivering the changes he's promised.

"Very happy to know that we're going to have a change soon in Washington. And hopefully it will do a lot for the economy," said Dase.

"Starting with the war, it was a very unpopular war and he was against it in the beginning," said Butts.

And at the Sunrise Cafe, Obama is also on the minds of regulars like Decator Smith. He says having another African American leader is a moment he's been waiting a long time for.

"Martin Luther King, [Jr.] didn't do a lot of things he wanted to do. But I think this guy here has a chance to really do a lot of the things he really wants to do," Smith said.

For more election headlines and voter resources, go to WSBT.com's Campaign ‘08 section.

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