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ZZUNUSED
Locals react to Obama nomination
HUNTINGTON -- While millions of people can lay claim they watched Sen. Barack Obama accept the Democratic Party's nomination Thursday night, only a handful can say they watched it with party faithful at the "Obama Pajama Party" in Huntington.
Democrats from around the area gathered at Java Joint in Huntington, as Obama delivered his speech in front of 84,000 live spectators in Denver.
Before an adoring crowd, Obama promised a clean break from the "broken politics in Washington and the failed presidency of George W. Bush" Thursday night as he embarked on the final lap of his audacious bid to become the nation's first black president.
"Now is not the time for small plans," the 47-year-old Illinois senator told the people packed into Invesco Field, a huge football stadium in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains.
Locally, Obama supporters came in their nighttime attire for the bedtime-themed event focused on watching the Democratic National Convention together. The candidate's historic speech coupled with the unique attire combined to create a memorable event.
"This is an historic night that we will always remember because we're wearing our pajamas,"Anne Durham of Huntington joked. "When our grand kids ask what we were doing when the first African American accepted his party's nomination for president, we can say 'We were in our pajamas at Java Joint in Huntington.'"
Pajamas and nightcaps aside, the people in attendance at the viewing party understood and appreciated the significance of Obama's actions. While the mood was playful, supporters spoke passionately about the reasons they support Obama.
"Never in my voting lifetime have I been so excited and inspired by a candidate than I am with Barack Obama," said Genny Ferri of Layland, W.Va.
Even before Obama gave his acceptance speech, event coordinator Laurie McKeown was looking to see what she could do to get Obama into the White House. McKeown said she's already beginning to enlist volunteers and helping grow the campaign's grassroots efforts in the state.
"Hopefully people will have fun tonight and they'll take that energy and get involved in the campaign in any way they can," she said.
While other candidates have made big promises about handing the problems going on in the country, the "Obamaneers" believe the Illinois Senator have the solutions. Solutions that not only move the country forward but also unify the people under one leader.
"He brings a message of hope," Durham said. "It's time we bring the American dream back to West Virginia."
"He's focusing on the large problems," McKeown said. "He doesn't promise quick fixes. He knows it's going to take all of us working together."
While the supporters at the Obama Pajama Party were watching the convention, Cabell County convention delegate Cory Dennison was in Denver to participate in the historic event. Between speeches, Dennison was featured in West Virginia Public Broadcasting Station's coverage of the convention.
Watching parties were also scheduled in South Point, Ironton and Proctorville, Ohio.
