Obama audience at University of Miami was mixed lot of hope, skepticism
Eager Obama fans and some undecided voters took off from work and class to hear from the Democratic presidential nominee. Not all walked away convinced.
Barack Obama’s rally at the University of Miami on Friday drew at least one hard-core group of youthful supporters, pumped up on Red Bull and awake since the wee hours, while others remained undecided as they waited for a first-hand look at the Democratic presidential nominee.
”I want to hear what he has to say,” said Deborah Graw, a 22-year-old graduate student from Parkland, who originally supported Clinton. Right now, I’m leaning McCain.”
Fellow architecture student Tom Johnson, 24, was among the voters who still haven’t made up their minds. ”I need a little push,” he said. “Maybe that’s why I’m here today.”
GOT IN LINE EARLY
Not so for those wearing ”Got Hope?” and ”Friends don’t let real friends vote Republican” T-shirts — and for a handful of students who were first in line at the BankUnited Center Friday morning. They had been there since 2 a.m., fueled by energy drinks and political discourse, waiting to see the man who had energized them politically.
Brandon Mitchell, 18, said he skipped three classes to attend the rally. His friend, Tom Vasiliu, 18, skipped one — with his professor’s blessing.
”He said I’d be doing a disservice to every college student by not going to this,” said Vasiliu, a New York native who is registered in Florida and said he plans to vote for Obama.
Also in the crowd: Patricia Millien, a 56-year-old mother of five and self-declared Bush supporter from Richmond Heights who was carrying a ”Republicans for Obama” poster.
”He takes time to be in touch with reality,” she said.
About a dozen protesters briefly interrupted Obama’s speech, waving white placards that said, ”Blacks against Obama.” When security escorted the protesters out, Obama quipped, “Bye, guys — see you.”
After the speech, Nadia Zehtabi was grateful that Obama wants to expand early education and health care.
”That’s a huge problem in Florida,” said Zehtabi, 27. “I don’t have health insurance. Neither does my sister or my niece.”
PERSONAL TOUCH
Her friend Eloisa Ferrer praised Obama’s more personal note, describing how his mother struggled to put herself through graduate school while raising him and his sister largely on her own.
”I was touched when he talked about his mother,” said Ferrer, 26. “Cubans, we are very involved with our families. His family is his first priority.”
Still, some walked away from the speech disappointed.
”Something was missing,” said Obama supporter Kristina Rosales, 20, a UM junior. “Something there wasn’t complete.”
Another student leaning in favor of McCain said she wanted more details from Obama.
”He’s a good orator, but I thought this speech was very vague,” said Liz Alarcon, 19. “We’ve heard this before.”
The original source of this article can be found at:
www.miamiherald.com / Sat, Sep. 20, 2008
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