LACONIA — Second District Congressman Paul Hodes, an early and eager supporter of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign, addressed supporters at the Main Street Obama offices Sunday afternoon.
Introduced by Laconia state Rep. Judith Reever, Hodes told the audience of about 50 supporters about how he came to support Obama and his vision for America.
"I have never met a person of such authenticity and grace," said Hodes referring to his first meeting with Obama during the first days of his congressional term last January.
Hodes described the senator as a man of integrity, idealism, optimism, and imagination and as the presidential candidate he believes best understands that it's the people who make the difference.
While Obama has been greeted and treated like a rock star at most of his appearances in New Hampshire, including Rotary Park in June, he has consistently trailed front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire polls — including the Oct. 30 American Research Group poll and the Sept 29 Saint Anselm College poll that both have Obama at 22 percent — about 20 points behind Clinton.
Hodes, a first-term congressman from Concord and president of the freshman class in the U.S. House of Representatives, announced on July 26 his support for Obama and was the first of New Hampshire's congressional delegation to make a formal endorsement.
On Sunday, Hodes said his early support of Obama was because of a private conversation the two men held early in January.
"When you're a congressman from New Hampshire during an election season, you suddenly find you have a lot of friends," said Hodes to laughter, acknowledging he had many visits during his first days in Washington.
He said he chose Obama because he understands what it means to be inclusive and believes Obama will change the direction of the country to allow it to regain its leadership in the world.
"I played hard to get," said Hodes who said he carefully watched Obama's organization as it garnered grass roots support and was also impressed when former National Security Adviser Anthony Lake endorsed him.
Tilton resident Marge Bonneville was on hand to hear Hodes speak and said she, too, was an early Obama supporter.
"I am an official supporter and an official volunteer," said the self-described reformed Republican who, as an independent New Hampshire voter, will take a Democratic ballot and vote for Obama.
Others were there to listen and learn.
Retired Laconia High School world geography and U.S. history teacher Gerald Knight is a presence at most candidate visits in the area — Democratic and Republican — and is also registered as an independent.
"I'm excited there are candidates that are willing to make changes and [Obama] is high on my list," said Knight.
State Rep. Gail Morrison of Sanbornton said she is also leaning strongly toward Obama but just needs a little more time to make up her mind. "There's a few more issues I would like to get answers on before I decide for sure," said Morrison.
Obama's Press Secretary Reid Cherlin expects the senator to return to New Hampshire within the next few weeks.
