About this blog

This blog is for a semester-long assignment for a Reporting Contemporary Issues class at the University of Northern Colorado. I will be reporting on local government in Greeley, Colo., and covering Greeley City Council meetings.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Democratic-Fueled Support for 2012 Election


          The Kress Cinema and Lounge, located on 8th Ave., is brimming with excitement from crowds of Democrats; waiting with drink in hand on the results of the 2012 presidential election. Citizens are showing their support for President Barack Obama by wearing buttons, stickers, and there's even a two-year-old girl named Emily with a bedazzled  black Obama t-shirt. Munching on an assortment of free food provided by the Kress, everyone is glued to the numerous televisions and movie theatre-sized screen that is displaying live election coverage from MSNBC and CNN.

            Democrats of Greeley are out in full force and are excited every time a Democrat state senator, like Elizabeth Warren from Mass., is elected. Filling up on popcorn and pints of Blue Moon and glasses of red wine, the crowd here is decidedly an older generation who supports what President Barack Obama has done for the past four years. Paige Ball, from North Carolina, said that even though Weld County is looking red, she hopes that Colorado will support Obama for four more years.

            "I've been in a low-level panic attack all day," Ball said. "I hope my vote counts for something." Ball's friend, Sarah Curtis from New York felt a similar way.

            "I had a nightmare last night that Romney won," Curtis said."I pray it doesn't come true."

            In spite of Curtis's election day nightmare, most are confident that Obama will be re-elected.

            Matt McCullough, decked out in a white pinstripe suit with a large Obama button, has been a field organizer for Brandon Shaffer for the past five months. McCullough is confident that Obama will win, but it won't be easy.

            "I'm confident that Obama will win," McCullough said. "Obama has played some smart electoral politics; we've already won Pennsylvania and California."

            McCullough, a  citizen from Greeley, Colo., had an outburst in the middle of the interview when a Democratic candidate, Elizabeth Warren from Mass., overtook Republican Scott Brown for a spot in the U.S. Senate.
            "Yes! That's a big f---king deal!" McCullough said. "Yes we can!"

            After his excitable outburst, McCullough voiced his opinion on Amendment 64.

            "I voted yes, McCullough said. "I smoke pot and I'm tired of everyone who lights up getting arrested for it. Colorado can be the leader for change and legalization; I support that."

            The abundance of Democrats and Obama supporters here are supporters of the passing of Amendment 64.  Dave Loftis, who first introduced himself as Mitt Romney; supports Amendment 64 wholeheartedly.

            "I fully support the mess for Colorado's government if  64 passes," Loftis said. Legalizing marijuana will only do positive things for Colorado; I think it will pass by 4 percent."

            Most predict that an Obama re-election won't be easy, but many people are confident in another four more years.

            "I predict a 303 for Obama; after all, I voted for him three times," Loftis said with a smirk.       

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