Missoula News

Primary Election

Obama Supporters Jubilant in Montana

By Peter Metcalf, 6-03-08

Photo by Alexia Beckerling.

Champagne corks flew at the Obama election party in Missoula, Tuesday, even before the polls in the state had closed.

When CNN announced a few minutes after 7 p.m. MDT that Sen. Barack Obama had surpassed the 2118 delegates required to clinch the Democratic Presidential nomination, jubilant campaign supporters popped the bubbly and started celebrating. 

“We made the number,” an excited campaign volunteer Lee Welshans said, holding a bottle of Cook’s Brut champagne and sporting a red and white Obama ’08 baseball shirt. Between champagne toasts, Welshans traded phone messages with her sister in St. Paul, Minn. who was waiting to get into the Excel Center for the Obama rally there.

“I’m so excited.  I’ve been an Obama fan forever.  I’m 73 years old and this is the first time I’ve been involved in a presidential campaign,” said a beaming fellow campaign volunteer Shirley Smith, toting a glass. 

Such cheers and smiles were the order of the night, as a throng of Obama supporters packed the Wilma Theater to celebrate the end of an historic presidential primary season.  Many were decked out in Obama T-shirts or wore pins and buttons.  Children tagged along with their parents or helped set up balloons.  Older, graying supporters chatted with and hugged college-age supporters in celebration. 

Time and again, supporters echoed the enduring themes of Obama’s campaign as reason for their support—hope and change.  People talked about the need for universal health care, the war in Iraq or the anemic economy, but mostly they spoke of a candidate who they believe understands the myriad challenges and struggles ordinary Americans face and who will help heal the nation. 

“I’m just excited because he’s so different.  He doesn’t do politics like the politicians.  He’s just such a great antidote to everything this nation’s been through the past eight to ten years,” said Joan Davis with tears in her eyes, a red Republicans for Obama button pinned on her denim dress.  “I don’t even cry at weddings.”

Davis, a Republican, joined the campaign in early April and even spent time campaigning in Pennsylvania.

As they waited for Montana’s polls to close, people browsed the food line, sipped beer and wine from the bar and mingled in the lobby.  A small crowd watched results from South Dakota roll in on the huge screen in the front of the theater.  The crowd swelled as Senator Hillary Clinton spoke at a rally in New York shortly after Obama secured the nomination. 

The crowd here hoped that they would finally hear Clinton concede the nomination, but it was not to be.  While Clinton sounded concessionary tones, she said she would wait a few days to make any decision.

“I think that’s ridiculous,” said Obama volunteer Roxanne Berg.  “I think she needs to give it up for the party and make it not about her but about what’s best for the party at this point.”

Disappointment quickly turned to adulation however, when CNN called Montana for Obama as soon as the polls closed.  Shortly thereafter Obama took to the screen from Minnesota. 

“I will be the Democratic nominee,” he said, and the Wilma went nuts. The now packed crowd rose to its feet, waving its arms and yelling loudly.  A few even danced in the aisles. 

Over and over Obama brought the Wilma to its feet.  He drew particular strong applause for vowing to withdraw troops from Iraq and for his elocution of a politics of possibility and unity instead of bitter divisiveness. 

“I thought he was on fire tonight,” said Kristi Hager, another Obama volunteer.  “It was the most wonderful speech I’ve heard so far.  I’m so excited that Montana put him over the top.  It felt so good after all these months.”

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