Tensions Heighten as Clinton and Obama Vie for Final Votes
Pumped New Yorkers clash over candidates at Union Square Rally.
Supporters of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama faced off during a Clinton rally in Union Square on Saturday afternoon, giving them an opportunity to face each other.
Three 13-year- old skateboarders waved Obama signs and heckled Clinton supporters, proving that children are immersed in political discourse as well. The Obama supporters, who were a minority, chanted, waved their signs and handed out signs and stickers. Despite the chilly weather, the crowd was energized. Many political leaders showed their support for Clinton in front of a statue of George Washington. Speeches were made by actress Fran Drescher, former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro, co-chair of the New York Democratic Party Dave Pollack and the United Federation of Teachers President Randy Weingarten.
The rally climaxed when Nathaniel Heidenheimer, a New York City public school teacher, got into a scuffle with a supporter of Hillary when he grabbed her sign. The corner of the sign ripped and the woman was distraught by Heidenheimer’s behavior. “I think that George Bush is half the problem. The corporate democrats like Hillary and Obama are the other half because they enable Bush and divide the opposition,” he said. “I support democracy. There are no candidates in our extremely corrupt political system to make supporting a candidate meaningful at all. No I will not vote on Tuesday.”
Like Heidenheimer, Bryan Cooper will not vote in the upcoming primaries, but he will vote for either the democratic nominee in the general election. Cooper, an actor and production assistant from Manhattan, is African American and an officer in the state Republican party. He is also a veteran of the navy. “We backed Bush and Giuliani. Its time for change, I have had enough of this war and economy. I know why it’s like that. It’s time to give everything back to the people. Enough of this corporate garbage,” said Cooper.
Spectators waved self made signs, in addition to signs which read “Hillary for President” and “Turn America Around.” Between and during speeches, the crowd chanted “Hillary,” and after Assemblywoman Deborah Glick said “in 2009 this country and this world will hear Madam President.” The ralliers cried “Madame President!”
The president of the UFT, Randy Weingarten made a zealous speech, stressing Clinton’s 35 years of experience. “She needs all of our help. Get on the phone. Get on e-mail. We need to get Hillary elected.”
Bryan Kotch, an NYU graduate student said, “I am walking up and down putting up Obama materials. I thought I would use the Hillary rally as motivation.” When asked why he preferred Obama, Koch said, “His leadership style is conducive to uniting America and affecting change.
Barry Junker, a volunteer for Obama and an Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran said he came early for an Obama rally. Junker trusts Obama’s foreign policy judgment more than Clinton’s.
“Obama was against the war from the start,” said Junker. Another “Veteran for Obama,” named Jan Donatelli, who was a pilot in the first Gulf War, is on the Veteran’s Policy Committee for the Obama campaign. “I would have no problem voting for a woman I am just not sure it’s this woman. I have great respect for her, but I feel the difference [between her and Obama] is their vision of the future and where America should be and how we fit in the world,” when asked why she didn’t support a woman for president.
Rosie Olan, a Hispanic security guard, stood on the sidewalk holding a “Hillary” sign. Olan supports Clinton because although she has insurance, she still can’t afford to pay for her medications and co-payments. She supports Clinton’s universal healthcare plan. Montina Garcia, another Hispanic for Hillary and a volunteer who was distributing bilingual fliers, thought that the rally had a great turnout. In addition to Clinton’s policies, Garcia supports her because “she loves to smile and so do I.” The Latino community supports Hillary, Garcia said. They are enthusiastic. Montina makes phone calls in Spanish. Out of more than 100 calls to the Hispanic community there were two republicans and two Obama supporters, “the rest said they would vote for Hillary,” said Garcia.
When the rally ended, the crowd dispersed for the most part, but a few onlookers stayed and chatted. Clinton campaign intern Ian Rivera led the remaining few supporters in a chant saying “What do we want? Change! When do we want it? Now!”
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