Obama Campaign Kickoff a Piece of Cake

About 70 people gathered at Tamara's Café Floridita on Monday, Aug. 4 to wish presidential hopeful, Barack Obama, a happy birthday and pledge their support to his campaign.

"We only expected about 20. We are thrilled by the level of enthusiasm," said Kevin Cates, a campaigner in Obama's Tallahassee headquarters.

The café was festooned with balloons, signs and bumper stickers as a broad spectrum of Franklin County's population assembled to hear campaigner Brian Lee promise that Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee for President, is concerned with the needs of tiny Franklin County.

Dressed in a business suit and Birkenstock sandals, Lee promised this year's election will be won in the voting booths not in the Supreme Court.

"Local Democrats will receive support from the national party," he promised, vowing to return with more signs, buttons and bumper stickers. The materials Lee brought with him to the kickoff were quickly snatched up by supporters from across the county.

"Real volunteerism is engaging the public on the candidate's behalf. We know that for every 14 doors a volunteer knocks on, we get one new vote. And for every 100 phone calls a volunteer places, we get one new vote. We need volunteers who will knock on doors and make calls," Lee said.

A scattering of hands around the room indicated that a dozen listeners were ready to sign up. Attendees attested to their support for Obama.

"He's inspirational. The fact that he's the first African-American who may become President is a great inspiration," said Jeff Ilardi, of Eastpoint.

"I'm from New Orleans and I watched the current administration do nothing and I know he is about change. I believe in him," said Polly Holmes.

"He's African American. I'm with him no matter what his policy is. I want to push him to the top. That's my job," said John King, of Apalachicola.

The meeting concluded with birthday cake and a biographical video about Obama narrated by his wife, Michelle.

Lee promised to return next month for a meeting and asked for volunteers to host house parties in support of the candidate. He promised that voter registration would be available at upcoming meetings.

"I want to ask everyone to bring three unregistered voters to the next meeting," Lee told the enthusiastic crowd to applause.