ADAMS STREET — The line extended for blocks and blocks. Drivers-by craned their necks out their windows, shouting, “What’s going on? Who’s in there”?
Few crowding the sidewalks of Adams Street bothered to answer, but they were waiting outside the Downtown Brooklyn Marriot for a chance to see presidential candidate Barack Obama.
But, as it was already 6 p.m. and the event was only scheduled to run until 7 p.m., some attendees were a bit concerned they wouldn’t make it inside on time for his speech.
“I hope they don’t start until everyone is in,” said Sarah Oswald, who still stood behind hundreds of people as time to see who she called the "most promising candidate” ticked on.
“Obama for America” sponsored the sold-out event, which only required a $25 on-line donation to gain entry, which could help explain the high turnout. Indeed, political watchdogs have noted that Obama’s fundraising figures are formidable not just because he’s on par with the Clinton fundraising machine but because they are smaller donations coming from a larger group of people, which could translate into a larger number of votes.
Many standing in the lengthy queue hoped the event would help them decide what to do come the Democratic primary.
“I wanted to see him in person speak,” said Ryan Hagan, a 24-year old Brooklyn resident. “I’m thinking about voting for him, which I’m hoping to decide tonight.”
Barack Obama was in Brooklyn just a few weeks ago for a fundraiser at a private residence in Brooklyn Heights. And since former President Bill Clinton was in the Heights raising money for his wife’s campaign in April, maybe their fundraising techniques are not so different after all.
© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2007
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Just a reminder, though -- It’s not considered polite to paste the entire story on your blog. Most blogs post a summary or the first paragraph,( 40 words) then post a link to the rest of the story. That helps increase click-throughs for everyone, and minimizes copyright issues.
So please keep posting, but not the entire article. arturc at att.net
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