Nearly 100 attend Obama’s Boardman fundraiser

One neighbor wished she had advance notice of the event.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER

BOARDMAN — Those at a private fund-raiser for Barack Obama came away impressed by the Democratic presidential hopeful and his plans for the country.

Mahoning County Commissioner John McNally IV called Obama, an Illinois senator, a “personable guy.”

Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann said Obama inspires hope in people.

Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams, who had a brief private discussion with Obama, said he walked away thinking Obama is “an authentic person,” and someone he would want to talk to again.

Obama so inspired Williams that the mayor said he’d vote for him if the election were today. The election is Nov. 4, 2008.

More good words

As Atty. Edwin Romero put it: “I was very impressed. His grasp, fluid delivery and the tenor of his comments wouldn’t have changed if he was speaking in front of 10,000 people at Youngstown State University.”

Obama was “very sincere” when talking at Wednesday’s event, Romero said.

“It didn’t sound like campaign rhetoric,” he said.

Departing Poland Mayor Ruth Wilkes said Obama was a “wonderful” speaker who “made some very encouraging remarks.”

They were among the nearly 100 people who paid $1,000 to $2,300 to attend the private, invitation-only fundraiser Wednesday for Obama at the Boardman home of Herb Washington, owner of the Youngstown SteelHounds professional hockey team.

The visit

Those in attendance say Obama spoke for about 20 minutes, primarily about national and international issues. He then took a few questions from those at the event. The fundraiser lasted about 75 minutes.

“It was informal,” Romero said. “It was like having a few friends in your living room.”

Washington said it was an honor to host the event and a unique opportunity for the attendees to be that close to potentially the next president of the United States.

The Obama visit shows the importance of the Mahoning Valley and Ohio in the presidential election, Dann said. As it was in 2004, Ohio will be a key battleground state in next year’s election, he said.

“Ohio is always critically important,” Obama said. “... I hope to continue to reach out in Ohio.”

Williams and Dann expect Obama to return to the Valley for a public rally.

Secret Service agents assisted by Boardman police officers provided security on Saddlebrook Drive, where Washington lives.

Neighbors approve

Because it’s a public street, movement by residents and the media wasn’t restricted, and no problems were reported.

The visit attracted the interest of Washington’s neighbors who stood outside their homes to watch the Obama motorcade drive on their normally quiet street.

“It’s not a problem at all,” said Bob Bovara, who lives near Washington on Saddlebrook Drive. “It’s good to see him come to the Valley. We can always use good publicity.”

Doretta Hegg, who also lives near Washington, said township police did a good job making sure residents could get in and out of their homes.

But she said Washington should have let his neighbors know about the event.

“It would have been nice as a courtesy,” she said.

During a brief interview after the event, Obama said the country should take the lead on developing alternative energy sources. By doing so, he said, it could help the environment, create jobs and save money.

skolnick@vindy.com