We're abuzz with the excitement of hosting a top Presidential candidate today at the college. No matter your politics it's a thrill to have this occur here in this small town northeast of Wichita. Our biggest claim to fame was the oil discovered in time to assist in the World War I victory. And the only reason I can imagine Obama is stopping by is the connection to his family history:
"Barack Obama's grandparents, Stanley and Madelyn Dunham, were Kansas natives. Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, was born at the military base in Ft. Leavenworth while his grandfather served in the Army during World War II" (college news release). And I have it from Lisa Cooley, curator at the Butler County History Center and Kansas Oil Museum (they share space and staff) that Obama has kin buried here, and that a great, great (not sure how many greats) grandmother was crowned Queen in the annual Kaffir Corn Festival held here in El Dorado prior to the great depression.
I'm curious and will ask Lisa, who happens to be my niece, if any other major candidate has EVER campaigned here in town.
Anyway, we welcome Barack Obama with a brutal wind and 20 degree temperatures outside; with lots of political feeling (the movie marquee across the street has some strange comment about the nation of Bush); and with a warm crowd in the gymnasium. More later!
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