Obamania-n
Haven't had a chance to mention much of anything, let alone Saturday's story about the bustle at Obama HQ in Old Pasadena, but the Schiff->Armenian->Obama trickle-down support bore out somewhat on Thursday:
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) endorsed Barack Obama as the Democratic candidate best positioned to bring fundamental change to how the United States addresses issues of special concern to Armenian American voters."The Armenian National Committee of America is proud today to endorse Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "Based on his strong record in office, his bold statements as a candidate, and our judgment as to the policies he will pursue as President, we believe that, among a strong field of Democratic candidates, Senator Obama will best reflect the views and values of Armenian American voters."
The official announcement came during a press conference held at the ANCA Western Region headquarters, featuring remarks by Obama supporters, Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) and L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti as well as ANCA National Board Member Raffi Hamparian and Armenians for Obama Chairwoman Nora Hovsepian.
Area Obama backers already looking ahead
By Kenneth Todd Ruiz, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 01/26/2008 09:34:22 PM PST
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PASADENA - As their candidate triumphed over other Democrats in South Carolina, local Barack Obama supporters hardly found a moment to look eastward as they fixated on Feb. 5.
Minutes before polls were set to close in Saturday's Southern contest, volunteers staffing Obama's regional headquarters in Pasadena talked about setting up a television to track exit poll results, but hadn't found the time amid fevered phone banking.
Lance Mungia of Monrovia was among volunteers from throughout the San Gabriel Valley to converge on the recently opened office on Union Street in Old Pasadena to work the phones.
"People show up at the Monrovia meetings and they don't feel like they're a part of the movement," said Mungia, who has been organizing coffee klatches and phone banks from private homes. "This gives everyone a place to go."
State Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles and Pasadena Councilman Chris Holden opened the office Saturday morning with a goal of reaching 6,000 undecided voters during a 12-hour drive as part of a statewide campaign to contact 100,000 voters on Obama's behalf.
Although Holden left after making some calls of his own, his wife Melanie Holden remained to work throughout the day, saying she was invigorated by an "awakening" among voters, particularly among youth.
All major polls place Sen. Hillary Clinton well ahead of Obama in California, with former Sen. John Edwards a distant third.
That gap has narrowed
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in recent months, but Clinton remains about 10 points to 20 points ahead.
The Republican field, once dominated by Rudy Giuliani, is much tighter. Sen. John McCain enjoys a slight edge over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, according to most recent polls.
Obama campaign volunteers, some using their personal cell phones, crowded the Union Street office in Old Pasadena 10 days before what could prove candidate-elimination round on Super Tuesday.
Instead of cold-calling voters in the Palmetto State, however, they reached out to nearly one-fifth of California voters that have "declined to state" a party affiliation.
Those unaligned voters won't be able to cast ballots in the Republican primary, but Obama supporters - like those of Clinton and Edwards - want them to know they are welcome to weigh in on the Democratic contest.
Artin Panossian, 29, of Glendale was on hand Saturday to talk to native Armenian speakers. His message to them was simple: Adam Schiff.
"The Armenian community is a very strong supporter of Adam Schiff, but it's news to many he endorsed Barack Obama, who's pledged he will recognize the Armenian genocide," Panossian said of the 29th District's Democratic Congressman.
Saturday was quiet for the Clinton camp in the San Gabriel Valley, with phone bank events held in surrounding communities.
They also plan a Super Tuesday blitz, however, with outreach efforts at several San Gabriel Valley locations and a march to the polls in Monterey Park.
todd.ruiz@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4444
www.insidesocal.com/pasadenapolitics
UNDER THE DOME
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