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Published Sunday, August 24, 2008 in Local

Crowd overflows Obama opening

By Alex McRae

The Times-Herald

An overflow crowd of Coweta Democrats turned out Saturday for the opening of the Obama for President office on East Broad Street in downtown Newnan. The attitude was upbeat and the mood optimistic as Democrats expressed their excitement at the resurgence of Coweta's Democratic Party and their belief that Obama will be elected in November.

Former Coweta County Commissioner Robert Wood said, "This is a great day for Democrats in Coweta County. It shows we're back out there and working hard. And with Obama, now we know that any American can be president. When you get this far, you're finally in the game and that's what it's al about. There are good days ahead for Coweta Democrats. Folks in the past said I had sold out to the Republicans to get elected, but that's not true at all. I was born a Democrat and I'll die a Democrat and I was the last Democrat standing on the county commission. I'm glad we're coming back."

There was additional excitement over Obama's running mate, Delaware Senator Joe Biden, whose selection as the vice-presidential nominee was announced in a text message sent to millions of Obama supporters just before dawn Saturday. Biden was a candidate for the 2008 Democratic nomination before bowing out last spring.

"I think it's good that Obama selected someone who doesn't always agree with him," Wood said. "Biden knows the old guard and the new guard and has forward-thinking ideology. I think it's a good move."

Those in attendance served themselves from a lunch buffet provided by volunteers. Thirty minutes after the official noon opening, three speakers addressed the crowd.

First was Stephen Camp, who is running against incumbent Lynn Westmoreland for Georgia's Third District congressional seat.

In his remarks, Camp praised the turnout and said it was proof of the party's viability. "Georgia is not an afterthought," he said. "Georgia can be won."

Camp said, "What we have in common is more important than what sets us apart," and said Westmoreland had opposed beneficial changes in Medicare and opposed an increase in funding for health coverage for Georgia's children. Camp also said Westmoreland "lined his campaign coffers with money from big oil."

The next speaker was Helen Sinclair, a New York woman who said she left college in Massachusetts to join the Obama campaign during the New Hampshire primary.

Sinclair is one of two people from outside Coweta heading the local Obama effort. After her remarks, Sinclair introduced the other out-of-town campaign worker as "Jake."

Jake described himself as an "intern" and former college student.

When asked for his last name, he refused, saying, "Let's just leave it at Jake."

After Jake's remarks, Coweta businessman Morris Steward identified him as Jake Colleran from Alpharetta.

Steward is leaving today to attend the Democratic Convention in Denver and said he is looking forward to being part of a history-making event.

"It's terribly exciting and I can't wait to see all the people and attend all the events," Steward said. "This campaign has brought us all renewed hope and I'm glad to be part of it."

Newnan resident and Obama volunteer Matthew Bailey Jr. said "This is the best thing that's happened in Coweta County in 30 years. It's been a privilege to be part of it."

Coweta resident Monroe DeVos will head day-to-day operations at the campaign headquarters.

"We're all excited," he said. "This campaign is one of hope and change instead of fear and the same old business as usual."

The Obama office is believed to be the first stand-alone presidential campaign headquarters in Coweta County since the Goldwater effort 44 years ago.

The headquarters is located at 25 E. Broad St. in the former Roscoe Jenkins Funeral Home building. After today's opening, the campaign headquarters will be open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays from 2-9 p.m.

The Democratic National Convention runs from Monday-Thursday at the Pepsi Center and Invesco Field in Denver, Colo. The Republican National Convention will be Sept. 1-4 in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.