Obama, Clinton boosters rock out in Philly
AIN'T NO PARTY like a Philadelphia political party. Or so it seemed at local functions held during yesterday's primary elections in other states.
AIN'T NO PARTY like a Philadelphia political party.
Or so it seemed at local functions held during yesterday's primary elections in other states.
Supporters of both Democratic presidential candidates crowded respective venues to share a pint and a purpose.
Among the young and the old, the poor and the privileged, the politicians and the public, a sense of enthusiasm emanated from supporters of Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton as they watched the elections results in West Philadelphia and Northern Liberties.
At World Cafe Live, 30th and Walnut streets, state Sen. Anthony Williams fired up the crowd of "Obama-ites" as he called them, calling for supporters to scream "so Texas and Ohio can hear."
"I'm honored for being part of history," he said to a crowd of about 100.
Mayor Nutter, meanwhile, revved up the crowd for Clinton at Finnegan's Wake, at 3rd and Spring Garden streets, with a confident message.
"I'm very hopeful she'll come out of tonight with plenty of momentum," he said. "The Democratic nominee will be decided in Pennsylvania."
As he spoke Clinton supporters chugged beer and jammed to recorded music. One woman was covered from head-to-toe in blue confetti.
Earlier in the evening, a smaller crowd gathered at the bar erupted in cheer after learning of Clinton's Rhode Island victory.
Among them was Joe Grace, executive director for CeaseFire Pennsylvania and a former Daily News reporter.
"Hillary Clinton has the experience to do the job," he said, but added, "I'm inspired by Obama."
Back at World Cafe Live, Sean Smith, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Barack Obama Campaign Team, who co-sponsored last night's event, said he wasn't worried by Clinton's Rhode Island victory.
"We are the candidate of everyday people," he said. "We will have won more states, delegates and voters. He is the best candidate."
Members of Mamas for Obama were decked out in large red cowboy hats and waved "Barack Obama 2008" flags.
Business was occassionally sidelined at the Obama party, as local band Jeff Bradshaw and Brass Heaven rocked the house at World Cafe Live.
Brandon Silverman, communications director for the Center for Progressive Leadership, a political-training group, said he was impressed with the outcome of the event at 30th and Walnut streets.
"I've been to a lot of political parties," he said, "but, look at this, this party feels like American government."
And Smith, who traveled to Philadelphia from Connecticut to join the Obama campaign with more than 2,000 volunteers, said the grassroots movement is growing roots in the state.
He claimed that about 41,000 voters in Pennsylvania switched their party registration from independent and Republican to Democrat to vote for Obama.
By the end of both parties, votes were still being tallied. Clinton had edged ahead of Obama in the polls, but Clinton followers said she was a long way from quitting. *
