Obama supporters flock to Prince William Fairgrounds

In a part of the country where the Civil War was fought over issues including slavery, the first black nominee of a major American political party ended his presidential campaign Monday night.

Democrat Barack Obama chose the Prince William County Fairgrounds to make an election eve pitch to voters as he wound down his battle with Republican John McCain.

And supporters of the Illinois senator came to the site outside Manassas in droves. As many as 85,000 people braved chilly temperatures to hear their man.

"Virginia, your voice can change the world tomorrow," Obama told the crowd.

For at least four hours before Obama's appearance, attendees steadily flowed in, rising up a hillside topped by the message “Vote for Change” spelled out in capital letters like the “Hollywood” sign in California. They rubbed shoulders with an army of security personnel, which included Secret Service agents, and Prince William County and state police.

Some Redskins fans even skipped the team’s Monday Night Football game against the Steelers to attend, a sure sign of devotion in the Washington metropolitan area.

Guy Allen and John Mickle, however, found a way to merge pigskin and politicking. The friends from Woodbridge came to see Obama, but they wore ’Skins jerseys: Allen sporting a white No. 89 Santana Moss model; Mickle, a No. 82 burgundy Antwaan Randle El replica.

Allen, broker with One Stop Realty, said he initially supported New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, but he came around to Obama’s side. He’s for the people, Allen said, not the “fat cats.”

“Enough with the fat cats,” the 52-year-old said.

Allen said Obama’s economic philosophy is what has garnered his vote today. Many business owners vote for the GOP, but Allen said he’s a family man, too, and he thinks

Obama will look after the financial well-being of all Americans.

“We’ve got to do something for the people,” he said.

Mickle, a 48-year-old real-estate developer and investor, said he is impressed that such luminaries as billionaire Warren Buffett and former Secretary of State Colin Powell have endorsed Obama.

Obama would seek the counsel of wise advisers if elected, he said.

“I think that’s important for a leader,” Mickle said.
Brandon Phelps can’t vote today – the 17-year-old missed the cutoff by two weeks – but he would pull the lever for Obama if he could. He agrees with the senator’s stance that war in Iraq must end.

“I think it’s about time to call it a day,” said Phelps, who is a firefighter and medic with the Gainesville District Volunteer Fire Department when not in class at Liberty High School.

A host of other Prince William-area folks played roles in the rally, which often exuded the excitement of a rock concert or a professional sporting event.

Keith A. Savage, pastor of First Baptist Church in Manassas, gave the invocation, telling the masses that soon they will turn Obama’s catchphrase of “Yes we can” into “Yes we have.” And staffers from Joe’s Pizza & Subs on Grant Avenue on Manassas served up chow for ravenous journalists covering the campaign stop.

Others traveled some distance for what they termed a historic opportunity.

Chrystal Benson, principal of Westlake High School in Waldorf, Md., came to Prince William with her daughter, 11-year-old Georgia; her son, 9-year-old Pearson; and other friends and their children. They couldn’t pass up the chance to see the man who may be the next president of the United States.

“As educators, we believe exposure is the key to those high SATs,” she said.

Staff writer Jonathan Hunley can be reached at 703-369-5738.