Presidential Hopeful Barack Obama Pays Youngstown State University a Visit

To a standing room only well-behaved congregation of more than 6,000, presidential contender Barack Obama faced a jaded but expectant crowd. Most of us were there led by the signs and invitations given out by church ministers and others. I attended after having been personally invited by Jay Williams, mayor of Youngstown, Ohio.

Youngstown State University, my alma mater, is a huge complex of expensive buildings donated by area millionaires and billionaires like Edward Debartolo. It is a far cry from the four buildings we had when I first attended YSU in 1970. The campus is also a stark contrast to a city that is decaying before our eyes. A dark collection of downtown buildings centers streets upon streets of tenements and housing projects. The schools public and parochial are considered sub-standard and most residents of Youngstown, who can afford to or who qualify, try to send their students to suburban schools like Boardman and Campbell.

Barack Obama was introduced by a member of the plumber's local, a woman, carrying her baby in a pouch strapped to the front of her chest. Her introduction of Barack Obama was that she would vote for anybody, male or female who could promise health insurance.

Barack Obama came out on stage to a stand up ovation and he is absolutely a crowd charmer. His charisma is equivalent to John F Kennedy. With the deftness of a man accustomed to being loved, he controlled the crowd's feelings and paused for his ovations. His main message was, Yes, we can keep hope alive.

It was shortened to, Yes we can, And using that mantra, he very easily got our attention and our support.