Obama Supporters Campaign in Ohio

Friday, February 15, 2008
Topics: Politics
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As Senator Hillary Clinton wraps up two days of campaigning for the democratic nomination in Ohio, she has a comfortable lead in the polls over opponent Barack Obama, who is still putting his efforts into the upcoming Wisconsin primary. But Obama's supporters here still think their candidate will close the gap. ideastream's Tasha Flournoy has more.

Clinton has aggressively reached out to her blue collar base and to big name supporters like Governor Ted Strickland and astronaut John Glenn to get her Ohio campaign rolling.

But, Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt says Clinton’s high-profile endorsers won’t stop the Obama groundswell. 

Ben LaBolt: We are confident that our grassroots network, which was established a year ago across the state, will be competitive with Senator Clinton’s support from the political establishment.

And while Clinton has strong union support in Ohio, two labor groups are now on Obama’s side - The Service Employees International Union and The United Food and Commercial Workers Union.

UFCW Cincinnati political director Bridget Kelly says the two groups have the muscle to help Obama win the Democratic presidential bid.

Bridget Kelly: I think it’s very exciting to have two progressive unions out in front championing a particular candidate and really moving a significant amount of people to vote for that candidate.

Obama supporters are hosting a rally at Antioch Baptist Church in Cleveland this hour. Wife Michelle is campaigning in the state today, while Senator Ted Kennedy is expected in Cleveland, Youngstown and Akron on Saturday.

Tasha Flournoy, 90.3.