Jun 29, 2008

Peninsula Dems rally for Obama

Unite for Change events fire up supporters, welcome Clinton backers into fold

By Mark Abramson / Daily News Staff Writer

Peninsula Democrats participated in a nationwide rally Saturday to drum up support for presidential hopeful Barack Obama, fire up and recruit volunteers, reach out to Hillary Clinton supporters and get voters registered.

The local Unite for Change events were among the estimated 4,000 rallies held across the country. Some took place in county Democratic Party headquarters and others in people's homes. The events entailed watching video messages from Obama and his campaign officials as well as discussing strategies to reach voters, including mobilizing neighborhood leaders to speak with residents.

Jane Stern, of Palo Alto, hosted about 40 people during the Unite for Change rally at her home on Emerson Street. Hers was one of 15 held in Santa Clara County.

"They have all been filled to capacity," said Debra Stricchartz, the head of neighborhood teams with Silicon Valley for Obama. "There really was tremendous interest."

Stern began volunteering with the Silicon Valley for Obama campaign last August.

"It is (about) getting people involved in their neighborhoods and harnessing the enthusiasm," Stern said. "For me the inspiration was, first of all, I love the genuineness about him."

She told attendees about how the campaign is reaching voters through face-to-face discussions and other efforts.

Several supporters said they haven't felt as inspired by a politician since John F. Kennedy.

Barbara Hubbart, of Cupertino, and Barbara Schreier, of Campbell, were among the people who attended Stern's event. They said they were looking for a way to get involved with the campaign.

Schreier admitted to being a Hillary Clinton supporter because she agreed with the former first lady's politics and she thought it was time for a woman to be president.

"I'm going to be 100 percent for Obama," Schreier said. "I think he is inspirational. McCain is too much of the old guard."

Hubbart said she liked Obama's communication skills. "He is just so uplifting," she said.

In San Mateo County, more than 100 people packed into the Democratic Party's San Carlos headquarters, including Assemblyman Ira Ruskin, D-Redwood City.

"This is a great opportunity. We have to be united," Ruskin said. "There's two candidates for president but there is only one opportunity for change. You are going to change America. Your work is essential.

"This is a golden opportunity and an absolute must for our country."

San Carlos resident Megan Longo shared her experience last Tuesday when she heard Obama speak in Los Angeles and met him.

"It was a great experience," she said. "Barack is exactly what you see."

Obama supporter and San Carlos resident Rodolfo Arturi, 72, said this is the first time he has volunteered with a presidential campaign. He was at the San Mateo County Unite for Change event to learn how he can help get people registered to vote. He said as an immigrant from Argentina he would like to be involved in convincing Hispanics to vote.

"I was touched by Obama's ideas," Arturi said.



E-mail Mark Abramson at mabramson@dailynewsgroup.com.