Clinton, Obama Come To Virginia Commonwealth U. Ahead Of Va. Primary

This story was written by Rebecca Landau, Commonwealth Times

Aiming to sway Virginia voters before Tuesday's presidential primary, the candidates delivered speeches at the Democratic Party of Virginia's 2008 Jefferson-Jackson dinner.

Siegel Center's Alltel Pavilion transformed from a sporting arena into a banquet hall for the event. Hundreds of tables lined the pavilion floor, and the stadium was packed with Clinton and Obama supporters waving signs and chanting catchphrases, such as "We will Barack you" and "Go Hillary."

"I will be among those happy to see the moving van leaving the White House," said Clinton, who delivered her speech first. "The era of cowboy diplomacy will be over."

More than an hour after Clinton left, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine introduced Obama as the "main event." Kaine endorsed Obama's presidential campaign last year at the 2007 Jefferson-Jackson dinner, at which Obama had been the keynote speaker.

"You've got that Barack Obama feeling," Kaine said. "I did an endorsement because I had a feeling ... America would want someone to make America proud again."

In his speech, Obama said Sen. John McCain, the Republicans' probable presidential nominee, has embraced President George W. Bush's failed policies. Obama criticized McCain's plan to keep U.S. troops in Iraq for up to 100 years.

"Somewhere along the line, the wheels came off the 'straighttalk express,' " Obama said. "I'm looking forward to having a debate with John McCain over foreign policy."

In her speech, Clinton said "change," which is one of the Obama campaign's buzz words, requires experience to achieve.

"The next president will face tremendous challenges," Clinton said. "I do have the strength and experience to lead this country."

Although he has been called naive, Obama said, he knows how difficult it will be to bring about change.

"Hope is not blind optimism," he said. "The notion is somehow that if you're realistic, you set your sights low."

Other major talking points for the candidates were enacting health care reform, ending the War in Iraq, combating climate change and eliminating U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

Mayor L. Douglas Wilder and former Gov. Mark Warner also spoke at the event. Warner is seeking to fill the seat of Sen. John Warner, R-Virginia, who is retiring this year. Warner did not endorse either candidate.

"Both of them have energized our party," Warner said. "We salute them both."

Before the event, hundreds crowded Broad Street to seek entrance to the Siegel Center and to show support for candidates Warner, Clinton and Obama.

University of Virginia student Naomi Huntington, 20, was among a crowd of U.Va. students who drove from Charlottesville to support Clinton.

"I like her experience and I like her ideals," Huntington said.

VCU student Peter Szijarto, 23, distributed Obama T-shirts. Szijarto said he supports Obama because he is more radical than Clinton. He also likes Obama, he said, because of his personality.

"He even jokes with the other candidates," Szijarto said.

But College of William and Mary student -- and Republican -- Steve Harrison, 21, came to the event to support Clinton.

"I trust her to take the country in the right direction."
© 2008 Commonwealth Times via U-WIRE