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Grammy-winner urging support for Democrat during 3-day tour of Ohio
By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Friday, Sep 26, 2008
Sen. Barack Obama's got a friend in Carole King.
The Grammy-winning singer and songwriter stumped for Obama Thursday afternoon in Barberton — part of a three-day tour of Ohio.
King urged a receptive, standing-room only crowd of about 100 at Lake Anna Hall to educate themselves on the candidates. She asked Democrats to campaign for Obama and Republicans to consider voting for him.
''If you feel your party is failing you, the best thing you can do is vote for a Democrat,'' she said.
The audience included many people who like both King and Obama.
Kelly Mann of Canal Fulton said, she worships King and ''about had a heart attack'' when she heard she'd be in the area. She said King's song, Beautiful, from her popular 1971 album, Tapestry, is her personal theme song.
Mann, who brought her 18-month-old daughter along, also supports Obama.
''He's not for one group of people,'' she said. ''He's about people in general.''
Ashley Brooke Toussant, a Kent State University graduate and songwriter, introduced King, saying her songs ''are familiar and true'' and express ''the experience and beauty of women.'' She said it's no surprise that King is supporting Obama, who is the only candidate ''giving a real voice to women's issues.''
King, who rushed into the hall and strode up to the stage, told the audience she lives in a small, heavily Republican town in Idaho. She said she supported Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, but now is firmly behind Obama, whom her four children backed from the start.
''I want a president who inspires younger people,'' she said. ''We haven't had that in a long time.''
King compared Sen. John McCain to an older family doctor and said Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain's GOP running mate, is ''the intern.'' She said Obama is like a younger, more savvy doctor who understands technology and has more knowledge.
King asked those in the audience to share their thoughts.
''I want to know what you think, firsthand,'' she said.
Barberton Mayor Bob Genet said people shouldn't allow race to be the deciding factor in the election.
''We need to make sure this does not cripple the election,'' said Genet, whose town is about 92 percent white. ''We need to get the best man elected and turn the country around.''
A woman in the audience said she thought it was embarrassing four years ago when people made their presidential picks based on abortion and gay marriage. She is fearful this will happen again.
''These issues need to be put on the back burner,'' she said. ''They are not the pressing issues in the U.S. right now.''
Many in the audience were wondering if King would sing and she didn't disappoint — leading them in a shortened version of her well-known song You've Got a Friend.
King, who wore an Obama button, signed a few autographs and spoke briefly with reporters before hitting the road for another stop in Mentor. She said she plans to campaign for Obama in swing states between now and the election.
Asked if the people in Barberton sang better or worse than those at her other Ohio stops, she was noncommittal.
King also said she's not sure if Obama, who was only 10 when Tapestry came out, is a fan.
''I'm a fan of his,'' she said.
Listen to Carol King sing at Obama rally in Barberton (MP3 Audio)
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
Sen. Barack Obama's got a friend in Carole King.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 09:47 AM, 09/26/2008
Oh please. She's a has-been as of 1974. If a washed-up song writer's opinion on a candidate is what convinces a voter to choose one candidate over another, then people aren't reading at all.
The Great City in, OH
Posted 10:20 AM, 09/26/2008
Reading what? The newspaper or online articles from washed-up reporters. One's opinion is one's opinion whether you/we like it or not!
Posted 12:57 PM, 09/26/2008
I was there, but to many steps for me to go up. I was the silent protester who smiled and winked at the those coming in and out. I met the young songwriter (I'm sure it was her) who asked why I said Obama was a socialist. Now it may have been another college age girl, but after I explained to her who, what and why of being a socialist she simply said, "What's so bad about being a socialist." End of conversation with her. I counted 75 or so, but even at a hundred, there wasn't many people there. My mistake is I didn't bring my Tapestry LP album. I could have easily sold it for $20 so one of her followers could have had it autographed. A dollar short and a day late. I would say many of them were old hippies, but I too was an old hippie with McCarthy stickers on my car, but my politics reformed as did myself or I would be there voting for the Big O.
Posted 01:34 PM, 09/26/2008
Did she write the song Brick House? I love that song. I think most of the fans of Shakira voting for Obama, but I'm not sure about Britney Spears.
Akron, Oh
Posted 02:46 PM, 09/26/2008
LOL....so many Obama Haters. You better start thinking about him being OUR next President of the United States. I see old Mccain still scared to try to debate. Afraid that he may fall asleep or stumble as he always does over some words. Probally the on set of alzheimer's disease or is he just that stupid. Oh yeah Bush was.
Posted 03:02 PM, 09/26/2008
Yeah Al... Sen McCain is scared to debate. Tell me this - why isnt your beloved Sen Obama helping work on the financial crisis?? Is it because his vote would just be "Present"?
Posted 05:25 PM, 09/26/2008
That's hilarious that only 100 people showed up. And it's reported as standing room only. Why is Bob Genet saying we shouldn't be racist? Exactly what is racist about not voting for Obama? Just because most people dispise a man who doesn;t wear the American flag on his lapel because he thinks it angers the world then goes to the wailing wall and wears a yamaka is ridiculous doesn't make him a hypocrite? I am thinking those Muslims who want us dead might be more upset seeing obama wearing the yamika. I think McCain will easily send Obama back too the land where John Kerry has been living the last 4 years.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 08:18 PM, 09/26/2008
What a non-story. She would stump for Charles Manson if he ran as a democrat.
Posted 01:25 AM, 09/27/2008
I'm gonna follow her lead and vote for Obama too (Not!), I mean, this is just what Obama's campaign needs---another fried pothead from the 60's lending him some "credibility".
