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DARIEN, Conn. – Consider Jane Himmel energized. The New Canaan resident was feeling optimistic about President Barack Obama's chances of winning a second term as she joined about 50 other Fairfield County Democrats at Upper Crust Bakery & Café in Darien to watch Obama accept the Democratic nomination at the party’s convention.
“I’m so excited and hopeful,” said Himmel, smiling broadly after Obama’s address. “I think (Obama) made the choice very clear.”
The applause in the eatery was loud during many portions of Obama’s speech. Vice President Joe Biden’s address was also well received.
Patty McCormack of Darien was happy to join in on the applause. She had high hopes for the president’s speech, especially on the heels of first lady Michelle Obama’s address on Tuesday. “I was sobbing with Michelle Obama’s speech. It was amazing,” she said.
Polly and Harry Geller of Stamford were pleased with Obama’s remarks. Harry Geller said he was happy to hear Obama talk about everyone getting opportunities to do well. Polly Geller said she was proud to be among a diverse crowd at Upper Crust and to see the cross-section of people in Charlotte, N.C., during the Democratic Convention.
“It was outstanding,” Harry Geller said. “Biden was great, and Obama was over the top.”
Erica Padmore of Norwalk said she worked hard to spread the word about Obama’s candidacy in 2008 when she lived in Atlanta. She was impressed now to hear his message that “we’re all in this together.”
Randall Klein, chairman of Darien’s Democratic Town Committee, was happy with Obama’s speech as well as the one delivered Wednesday by former President Bill Clinton. Both men explained the issues “in easy, understandable terms,” Klein said. “I think we were very lucky to have these guys as leaders of our country.”
Comments (3)
Am I too partisan, or is there some irony here that the Democrats met at a place called "Upper Crust" Bakery & Café in Darien?
Interesting place to meet for a party that purports to be the better political party for the middle class!
God bless these Democrats, (yes, I said God) did you hear that in Charlotte finally?
That stampede you hear in the background are all the Republican elephants charging into November!
Toddy - I am always fascinated by this misconception that Democrats have about improving our standing abroad. When you send your children to school, do you tell them that the most important thing to do is behave in a way so everyone else likes them? I teach my children to be their own person, to stand up for what they believe in and be respected. Not to go and conform to the group so they are liked. Seeking validation through others is not how we raise our children...so why does it make sense for our nation? PS Ask Israel if they think more or less of us now vs. four years ago. Ask China? Ask Russia? With 100% confidence, I can say that they all think less of our standing in the world today. Who have we appeased??? The French? They don't think much of us either. So who exactly does think more of us? Im more concerned with how my own countrymen are doing - and under Obama, they aren't doing well. Unemployment at 8%. Underemployment at 9%. And 3% have dropped out of the workforce because they have given up looking for work. So that's 20%, or 1 in 5 people that are out of work or underemployed. You can cheerlead, but at least be honest with yourself...that is not better off. Obama's policies aren't working.
And did you hear John Kerry?? I had left the Darien gathering because I couldn't hear (and it was crowded; way more than 50 I think!), and listened to Kerry in the car. He made a powerful case for continuing President Obama and Vice President Biden's expertise in foreign policy, and continuing the huge improvement in our standing abroad from 4 years ago.