Mixed results for those at Obama rally in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS — After a rally for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama drew more than 12,000 people and featured a surprise appearance and endorsement from former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, voters here seem more entrenched in their support for either Obama or his rival, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Following the speeches by Edwards and Obama, Jean Blossfeld and her husband, Bob, both from Grand Rapids, gave their reactions. Asked how she felt about being pigeon-holed as an older white woman voter as a likely Clinton supporter she said, “No. Wrong. I don’t like it.”

Both were pleased to have had the chance to hear Obama and Edwards speak.

“We got more than we anticipated,” Bob said. “We are glad we came.”

Jean said the endorsement of Edwards was “wonderful.”

“We were so thrilled,” she said. “I would like to see him as a running mate, too.”

Continued -Asked if she would support Clinton as a running mate, Jean paused with a long “ahhhh,” while Bob said, “I think John would be a better one.”

Jean then chimed in “I think Obama has to do the choosing, whoever he chooses.”

But not everyone at the Van Andel Arena following the speech was keyed up for Obama. Shelley Adamczak of Kentwood joined with Leslie Davis and Kathy Laugh, both from Grand Rapids, to support Clinton.

“I do believe that is kind of more a phenomenon that’s backing Obama,” Adamczak said. “It’s kind of the in-thing to do. I really don’t think Obama has come across with any real ideas for change. He has just said the word ‘change’.”

She said sexism was playing a role in the Democratic race, and Clinton was the most qualified for office. As the three women were talking to Michigan Messenger, Obama supporters shouted that Clinton was done in the race, to which Davis responded, “That’s not what West Virginia said!”

“I think a lot of people are intimidated by a female in a high professional role,” she said. “I do believe Obama has that charisma behind him, but ultimately he serves as a puppet.”

All three women said they were disappointed Edwards had endorsed Obama, with Davis saying “He said Monday he was not going to do anything.”

Asked if they would support Obama if he gets the Democratic nomination, all three said they wouldn’t.

“No. I think you will see a lot of people who just won’t vote at all,” Adamczak said.

For Davis, the issue goes back to Michigan’s January primary ballot on which Clinton appeared without Obama or Edwards.

“We feel as though if he doesn’t want our support in the primary, he doesn’t want it in the general,” Davis said. She accused the Obama camp of blocking moves by the state legislature to have a new primary vote. “I wouldn’t block his vote. Why is he blocking mine? If he is so secure in himself, why would he block a re-vote?”

The Obama camp has endorsed a proposed resolution to the Michigan delegate crisis that would seat the delegates based on a split, and would award Clinton more delegates than Obama. The Clinton camp has rejected the resolution.

“I have no intention (of voting in November),” Davis said if Obama were the top of the ticket. “I have been a lifelong Democrat. I say forget it.”