Election 2008

Obama supporters out in force

By Shane Benjamin

Herald Staff Writer

John McCain could have done more to win over Durango.

“If McCain came here riding a bike and wearing a tie-dyed T-shirt, I’m pretty sure he would win this town,” said Earl Middlebrook, a Barack Obama supporter.

But McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, did neither. Instead, he arrived at 5:12 p.m. in a black sport utility vehicle wearing a suit and tie.

He was greeted by hundreds, if not thousands, of Obama supporters who lined Main Avenue in front of Durango High School. They chanted slogans, like “yes we can,” and held signs, like “McCain in Durango? Republicans must be desperate.”

It was a peaceful counter-rally with no arrests. Two Obama supporters were hit by a car while crossing the road at 25th Street and Main Avenue. The driver was blinded by sunlight as she made a left-hand turn out of the La Plata County Fairgrounds, police said. One man who tumbled over the car was taken to the hospital; a woman declined medical attention.

For the most part, Obama supporters were happy to have McCain in town. They said his visit generated interest in the election and unified Democrats shortly before Election Day.

“Our message tonight for everybody is ‘be like Barack Obama,’” said Britt Bassett, with the La Plata County Democrats. “If you’re confronted, stay cool, unflappable, positive and friendly – no matter what.”

On the issues, Obama supporters said their candidate has a more-inclusive plan that will help the middle class and end the war in Iraq.

McCain spoke of Joe the Plumber at DHS, but outside, Tom Cramer of Durango held a sign: “Tom the carpenter voted Obama.”

Cramer, a carpenter for 25 years, said four out of five carpenters can’t afford to live in Durango. But with Obama’s health-care plan, Cramer said more could afford to live here.

McCain’s temperament and his choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate is worrisome, Cramer said.

“Obama is obviously very intelligent, and he has a calm, diplomatic, reserved approach to dealing with issues,” Cramer said. “To see McCain get in there and then see him kick the bucket and Palin get in there – the world is going to pounce on us so quickly if that happens.”

McCain carries an attitude that America is the best, but to Keta Seibel of Durango, that is an arrogant way of thinking. America is a “very good country,” she said, but lately it has adopted some “very bad” policies.

The group Veterans for Obama praised McCain for his military service, but they faulted him for being a professional soldier and living on the public payroll for so long.

Jim Callard, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, held a sign that read “I’m with Colin Powell and Obama.”

“Obama has the right judgment to be president of the United States,” Callard said. “John McCain talks about fighting for us, but he doesn’t talk about winning anything for us.”

Callard also expressed bewilderment over McCain’s visit to Durango – a city he called the most progressive on the Western Slope of Colorado. It is another example of the Arizona senator’s poor judgment, he said.

“I can’t figure out why he came here,” Callard said. “It’s kind of like (Vice President) Dick Cheney going to a Grateful Dead concert in Telluride.”

shane@durangoherald.com