Former First Lady of Ohio Frances Strickland spoke to a room full of about 150 cheering Democrats Tuesday at the opening of an Athens office that will serve as a nucleus for 2012 election activities.
Organizing for America-Ohio engages supporters of President Barack Obama across Ohio, according to a news release.
The Athens base for Organizing for America-Ohio will be located at 8 North Court St., in between Fluff Bakery and Catering, and Pita Pit.
“We got these rooms last month, and we’ve been working out of them since,” said Sarah Williams, an Ohio University senior studying political science and intern for the Obama for America campaign. “This … is where we do everything, and we’ll also get the community and the students together.”
OU students and Athens residents mingled throughout the office before Strickland’s speech.
The excitement was interrupted when students from Young Americans for Liberty, along with Students for Liberty and Students for Ron Paul, walked through the office, handing out fliers citing similarities between Obama and former President George W. Bush, and showing their support for presidential candidate Ron Paul.
OU College Democrats President Nick Tuell, a junior studying political science, quickly asked them to leave.
“We’re not looking to be confrontational,” said Abe Alassaf, the president of Young Americans for Liberty and a senior studying history. “We’re just looking to make a point.”
Strickland then stood to speak on a blue-painted wooden box with a wall of “Obama 2012” signs behind her.
“I’m pleased to be a part of this,” she said. “I just want to say, as Ohioans, we need to draw a line in the sand and say no more losses. … We’re going to take the house back. With the energy of Athens County spreading over to other counties, I know we can do it.”
tl674710@ohiou.edu
Editor's note: This story was updated to state that there were about 150 people at the event, not 50.
