10:41 PM: Still tough choice for some
For those who were on the fence in advance of Tuesday's primary, the Founder's Day dinner provided a way to compare Obama and Clinton back to back.
And for at least one attendee, Saturday night's speeches swayed him toward Obama.
John Mann, a construction consultant from Mequon was undecided on who cast his vote for next Tuesday, going into tonight's event. But after hearing both of the candidates speak, he's now for Obama."His [Obama's] positive energy and what it's doing for the future'' is what Mann said won him over.
Milton Bond, who was undecided coming in, thought Clinton gave a good speech, but "it felt like Obama connected more with the audience - at least with me."
He said, though, that he's still making up his mind on who he'll cast his vote for Tuesday.
But Bond added, "I'm OK if (Obama's) the one, to be honest with you."
Millard Eisler and Pam Robbins, who were wearing their Clinton buttons proudly, said the speeches tonight didn't sway them.
"The bottom line is she still has more substance, and he has more emotion," said Eisler, of Madison.
Eisler said Clinton is more tested, and better able to withstand the campaign against a Republican in the general election.
"I'm sticking with her," he said.
Robbins, of Middleton, acknowledged Obama's strength as a speaker, but she said Clinton "has a lot more background to her."
Both said, though, they'd have no problem supporting Obama if he is the eventual nominee.
"We're unified," Eisler said. "Either one is far, far better than John McCain.
Tamara Maddente, of Shorwood said she swayed by Obama's speech.
"I have a little more clarity tonight. I believe in the Democratic Party. I
think that Barack Obama has taken my vote tonight,'' Maddente said
Summer Shannon-Bradley said she has solidified her support for Obama.
"It solidifies my decision," she said adding that she is looking for change. "We've had a Bush and Clinton in the white House for a long time."
Vicki Lukasavitz, 48, of Sheboygan, said she liked Obama's focus on hope, but that she was still undecided after hearing both speak tonight.
"It's going to be really hard."
-- By Staff
Labels: 2008 spring primary