Bloomer residents get in line early to see Obama
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By Mark Gunderman mailto:mark.gunderman@lee.net.
Saturday, February 16, 2008 8:52 PM CST
EAU CLAIRE -- Dan Paulson, 51, of Bloomer was the first in line outside of Zorn Arena at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire at 5 a.m. Saturday, dressed liked he was going ice fishing.
“Which is where I’d be if I wasn’t here,” he said, waiting for a chance to see Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
“I heard there was going to be people camping out here and I wanted to be up front,” he said. “It’s a chance of a lifetime n to see a man who may do great things for this country.”
It would be the first time he’s seen a presidential candidate.
Sarah Bergstorm, 27, also of Bloomer, saw former President Bill Clinton a couple of years ago, but this was going to be special and worth it for her to get in line at about the same time as Paulson.
“I think Barack Obama is the most exciting candidate we’ve seen in a long time and I wanted to be part of it,” she said.
Kris Eastwold, 60, of Rice Lake was up front, too. “ I’d give anything to experience his energy,” she said of Obama.
The lines that started in front of the arena extended to the base of the famous campus hill and partway up.
Three freshmen students who got in line at 8 a.m. were in a good position. “This is a lifetime opportunity. An election like this only happens once when when we’re in college,” said Katie Riley of Milwaukee.
“We have a presidential candidate within a half-mile of our dorm,” said John Schellhorn of River Falls.
In front of them were two young teens from Minneapolis, sitting on the cold sidewalk, huddled under a blanket. They had left home at 5:30 a.m. “I’m excited to be part of history,” said Sterling Williams, 14.
Excitement built as a crowd gathered inside the arena. Some exchanged exchanging high-fives for making it inside.
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