Campaigns Come to Richmond

Though hundreds packed Virginia Commonwealth University's Siegel Center to see the two Democratic nominees for president Saturday night, Barack Obama was clearly the favorite.

His supporters, many of which were young people, often chanted his name or his "Yes We Can" slogan while waving his placards.

Both Sens. Obama of Illinois and Hillary Clinton of New York spoke at the annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner held by the Democratic Party of Virginia.

The two candidates were cheered and introduced by most of the state's Democrats, including state legislators, Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder , Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and former Gov. Mark Warner , who's running for the U.S. Senate.

Though Warner praised both Clinton and Obama, he didn't select either for endorsement, unlike Kaine and Wilder who both publicly hailed Obama. Both nominees talked about the same issues, such as health care, ending the war in Iraq and the need for a change to fix what President George W. Bush has done wrong the past eight years.

Clinton took to the stage at 8:45 p.m. She asked if everyone was ready to take back the White House and end seven years of incompetence, corruption and cronyism.

"The next president will face tremendous challenges. Waiting there will be two wars, an economy in trouble, an energy crisis and a health care crisis," she said.

"For me, politics isn't a game. It's not about who's on top. It's about your lives, your family, your future. Isn't it time for a president who brings your values to the White House?"

Both Clinton and Obama spoke of Arizona Sen. John McCain being the likely Republican presidential nominee based on recent primary results.

"Republicans have chosen more of the same, and President Bush has given him his stamp of approval. I'm sure it will help," Clinton said with a smile.

She touted her strategies for fixing the housing market crisis, rebuilding a prosperous middle class and universal health care.

"I'm the only candidate left in the race with a universal health care plan to cover every man, woman and child because I believe health care is a fundamental human right and an obligation by the United States," she said.

Obama spoke to the crowd just before 10:30 p.m. The audience roared upon seeing his image reflected on the screens hanging from the ceiling. Every time he paused during his speech, they began to chant his name or his slogan. Some even yelled out, "We love you Obama!"

He talked of how Americans had become so disgusted with current politics that they had turned away from them.

"But in this election, in this moment, America has turned. America is saying not this time," he said. "The one thing this party agrees on is that we must end the disastrous policies of the previous administration."

Obama also supported Clinton, saying they will continue to be friends, and complimented McCain.

"I believe he's a good man and a genuine hero. In this campaign, he's made the decision to embrace the failed policies of George W. Bush, talked of a 100-year war in Iraq and a future war with Iran. Somehow the wheels came off the straight-talking bus.

"The Democratic Party can't be a slogan or a bumper sticker. It must stand for change you can believe in."

Obama also pointed out specific differences between his plans and Clinton's, such as his promise to provide universal health care by the end of his first term as president; improving education by rewarding teacher and making college affordable; and raising the minimum wage every year.

He also said he would not just end the war and bring troops home, but that he would end the mindset that got the country there. He spoke of the importance of hope, which he said he's been criticized for.

"Hope is not blind optimism. I know it will be hard to provide health care to everybody. I know it will be hard to alleviate poverty and to lift up schools because it will involve changing our mindset, including bringing faculty and parents into the equation," he said. "I know how hard change is, but nothing worthwhile has ever happened until someone somewhere had hope."