‘He’s the best’ — Michigan Dems warm to Obama

If the comments from Michigan residents during a recent Obama visit are any indication, the presumptive Democratic nominee will have strong support in the general election campaign that is now beginning.

A sampling from ordinary residents during his visit to Troy this week showed major enthusiasm:

A happy Eula Jackson, 95, who had been waiting in line since 8:55 a.m., had her family wheeling her to the door on the back of her walker with a wide grin. “I got a kiss!” she said. (From Obama, of course.)

Caryn Acker, 52, of Huntington Woods: “The moment I saw him in Boston I said, ‘He’s the best. He’s going to run for president, and he’s gonna win.’” In his speech Obama acknowledged Hillary saying, “Clinton has run an outstanding race and has been a fine public servant.” “It was very gracious of him to compliment Hillary like that,” Acker said.

Judy Libman, 55, Farmington: “I heard about the event and wanted to hear him speak. I’ve been reading his policies, there was nothing new today, but you see everyone here, it’s so huge to see him speak.”

Byron Frazier, 25, Detroit had been waiting at the doors of Troy High since 5 a.m. “It was absolutely worth the wait. Just waiting to get my picture signed now,” he said.

John Cromer, a mentor and spokesperson for Nathaniel Abraham (the youngest person in Michigan to be convicted of murder at the age of 11, released from prison at age 21 last year) ended the question-and-answer session with his question about recidivism. He was very optimistic about Obama and his campaign. “Mr. Obama is going to be our next president. I think he will set our people free. McCain or George Bush would never have allowed a question like that. That’s how I know he’s real.”

Continued -Students form Niles Community High School in Troy were in the bleachers at the event.

Michael Cholette was one of them. “He is a great speaker. He’d be an amazing president,” he said.

Ashley Slane, Niles student, didn’t hear all she had hoped, but was pleased. “He was a great speaker. I just wish he would have said something about same sex marriages,” she said.

Ravon Colton, Niles student: “It was OK. It was the first time I heard him speak. I was impressed, but I didn’t learn anything new.”

Landyn Holder, student, Niles, said he enjoyed the enthusiasm, but the bleachers weren’t the best seat in the house. “I was afraid the bleachers were going to break, people kept stomping their feet so hard.”

“I support Obama to the utmost! He’s the one. He’s the president. I took the day off of work to see him,” said 65-year-old Angela Winters, who was wearing a white T-shirt scaled with Obama pins and speaking excitedly.

Gerald Gibson, 20, of Lathrup Village, said he agreed with all of Obama’s policies. He was wearing a red, white and blue Obama T-shirt. “He’s like a rock star, like a celebrity,” he said.

Brian Taylor, 20, Eastern Michigan University student from Southfield: “As a young black man I am inspired by him. I learned about his $4,000 college tuition credit today. I agree with his policies for the most part.”

Sho-Ron Graham was selling T-shirts after the event and he also attended. He was very excited and impressed with Obama’s response to Cromer’s question about recidivism. “The most important part was the last question,” he said. “The state’s gettin’ paid [regarding prisons] $50,000 a head every year!” About Obama’s policy: “It’s so important to have preventative crime programs. But crime pays. Detroit had 400 homocides this year. Obama actually addressed the prison industry: You have to get ‘em before they go to jail, or before they commit a crime.” He was very enthusiastic and spoke in louder tones: “How come the governor hasn’t addressed this issue? The police ain’t tryna stop this — $50,000 a person? They gettin’ paid.”

Local politicians agree:

Southfield mayor, Oakland County commissioner and super delegate Brenda Lawrence, who endorsed Obama on stage Monday said: “It’s time to move forward. It’s unfortunate that we have two great candidates.” MM: Why did you wait to commit? “We have two great candidates and [when you're in my position] you have to look at numbers. Their platforms are so similar.”

Gary Peters, running against Joe Knollenberg for 9th Congressional District representative, introduced Obama on stage. He was standing outside the school taking questions from reporters that came his way. The main goal of his campaign? Similar to Obama’s: “We need change. Here in Michigan people are facing devastating economic times. We’re in tough shape. It’s very important to get on the country back on right track, and we’re running out of time.”