Arizonans for Obama bus tour comes to Yuma

Obama supporters realize there isn't really a huge gap of public support between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain, says a Democratic lawmaker from Phoenix, so with the Arizonans for Obama bus they are aiming to tip the scale and help Obama win the presidential election.

The Obama bus came to Yuma from Phoenix on Thursday to rally their support for Obama. The bus arrived in the parking lot of the Yuma County Democratic Party headquarters, where the public had the chance to meet and greet Democratic officials, candidates and Obama supporters.

Information about voter registration and requesting early ballots were available for the public. Also, there was food and music, and Obama memorabilia were available for sale.

State Sen. Leah Landrum Taylor, D-Phoenix, who has been traveling on the Obama tour bus with other Obama supporters, said the bus has already visited about 20 cities in Arizona. Their goal is to visit all 15 of the state's counties.

"McCain is being compared as the next George Bush," she said. "Well, I certainly can't take another four years of this, and I know folks in our country can't either so that's why we decided, let's put this bus together, let's do what we can do and let's do what Barack Obama will do and not leave anybody out.

"That's why we're going into tiny cities, big cities. We've been to rallies of four people and we been to rallies of 1,000. It doesn't matter the size
... We know he can't personally go out here across the country to every single city. He needs us all and that's what were doing."

About 50 to 60 people were present to greet the Obama tour bus when it arrived at the Yuma parking lot at noon. Other Obama supporters came and went from the rally.

The Arizonans for Obama Bus Tour has been through Holbrook, Winslow, Flagstaff, Camp Verde, Wickenburg, Wikieup and Kingman, according to the bus' tour map at www.obamawinsaz.com.

James Carr of Yuma came to the rally to join his daughter in showing their support for Obama. "I came here to also get the opportunity to meet some of the local politicians. And my daughter is involved so I'm here to support him (Obama)."

Monique Carr, 20, said she came to the rally because she believes that showing support for Obama is the best way to help him win the election.

"I'm here today because I feel like this is a very important moment and we have to get involved in order to change things. I feel that Obama is the right candidate because he has two younger daughters. He's concerned what life they are going to live.

" I truly feel that he cares about everybody and he's going to try and help as many people as he can, so I want to do everything that I can to help him win this election."

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Stephanie Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@yumasun.com or 539-6847.