Obama campaign takes root in Asheville

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign for the presidency inspired many of Asheville’s politically minded to get involved in the closest race for the Democratic Party’s nomination in recent memory, Obama supporters said.

“The depth of commitment (from Obama supporters) is something I’ve never seen before,” said 69-year old volunteer Andrea Williams. “His character shines through and I think people are just grasping for that kind of leadership.”

Others describe Asheville’s culture as a perfect fit for Obama supporters.

“Asheville is such a progressive little pocket here in the mountains and I totally expected a lot of support for Obama, but I’m sure there are plenty of Clinton supporters in other areas of this state,” senior sociology student Kylie Black said.

Obama currently leads Clinton 56 percent to 33 percent in North Carolina, according to a recent Rasmussen Reports poll.

Though Obama is strengthening his lead in North Carolina, Clinton leads 47 percent to 42 percent in Pennsylvania, according to Rasmussen.

Pennsylvania holds its primary April 22. Other states yet to hold primaries are North Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana, South Dakota and Oregon.

Obama is campaigning heavily in North Carolina and established an Asheville office at 107 Merrimon Ave. The office is a bustling one-stop location for Obama supporters and curious voters, according to its volunteers.

The office sells stickers, buttons and other Obama memorabilia. In addition, it provides voter registration sign-up forms, helpful volunteers and an assortment of refreshments.

“Aside from voting, I’ve never participated in an election or a campaign in my life and I am just so excited about this man,” Williams said.

Williams, a licensed psychologist in Maryland and an artist in Asheville, volunteered and they put her at the front desk to answer questions, answer phone calls, sell merchandise and take donations.

“I’ve got no prior training, but have gotten it here on the job and it has just been a lot of fun,” Williams said.

Visitors flocked to the office this past weekend. Some came in wishing to donate money and others simply wanted a button or a sticker.

“The push right now is to get people registered to vote,” senior healthcare management student Lauren Wingo said. “One thing the Obama campaign really wants to do is make sure everyone gets their voice heard.”

Unprecedented numbers of voters are registering for the upcoming primaries, according to Wingo. The deadline to register for the North Carolina primary is April 11.

Wingo says this is the first time she is excited and optimistic about an election.

After seeing a recent speech by Obama in Spartanburg, Wingo decided she needed to do everything she could to support the campaign.

Mingo said she started the Students for Barack Obama group at UNC Asheville, enlisting Students for a Democratic Society to help spread the word about Obama.

“In past elections, I’ve been very complacent. I’ve only known enough about the candidates to simply vote,” she said. “But I’ve really been inspired by Obama’s message and how he is trying to bring a new kind of politics to the table, such as honesty and transparency.”

Wingo said she is amazed at the amount of grassroots support for Obama’s campaign in WNC.

“There is no Clinton grassroots movement going on in Asheville. UNCA doesn’t have a support group for Clinton, and driving around town, you aren’t seeing any Clinton bumper stickers,” Wingo said.

Currently, Obama has 1,629 total delegates and Clinton has 1,486. The number needed to win is 2,024, and neither candidate will be able to reach that number with the six primary states left to vote, according to CNN.