Obama-mania hits Secretary of State's office

Jon Craig reports from Columbus:


More than 30 supporters of Barack Obama for president jammed the lobby of the Secretary of State's Office today as Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman filed a declaration of candidacy and petition signed by about 3,000 registered voters.

At least 1,000 valid signatures from voters affiliated with the Democratic Party are needed to place Obama's name on the March 4 primary ballot in Ohio.

Coleman and Sen. Eric Kearney, D-North Avondale, were among the speakers during today's mini rally.

Supporters held red, white and blue signs that read "OH - IO - WA," while chanting a variation on the Ohio State Buckeye cheer, that ended "Barack Obama All the Way."

Kearney said, "I know that Barack is going to win in Iowa, he's going to win in New Hampshire, he's going to win in Nevada, he's going to win in South Carolina. He's also going to win in Ohio."
Obama has been to Ohio at least five times. The Illinois senator's wife has been here three times.

"We're going to get the job done,'' Coleman said as he handed in a file folder with signatures.

"We're excited about this candidacy for Barack Obama, because what it represents is change in America. It represents a new generation of leadership. . .This is representative of the beginnings of an organization in the state of Ohio. All of us coming together, united, in who we believe will be the next president of the United States. We're very much excited about what is going to happen tomorrow in Iowa. The march to the presidency begins through Iowa. . .But we know in the General Election, Ohio is always the battleground state for the entire nation."