Northern Virginia Split Over Obama Rally, Policies

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On Saturday 2100 people came to see President Obama speak at Centreville High School. They stood in a long line that meandered around the front of the school, waiting to go through security check.

On the other side of the street, approximately 200-300 Romney supporters gathered to disseminate their message, carrying hand-made signs and encouraging passersby to honk from their automobiles.

The opposition between the opposing fractions incited a call and response of “four more years,” verses, “four more months.”

Some local participants were kind enough to share their stories of how they winded up spending their Saturday afternoon on Union Mill Road to support their favorite presidential candidate.

“I am so much an Obama supporter, so I so want to be here and hear him as our President,” said Mary Ann Henderson of Loudoun County. “I saw him when he went to Leesburg, which was an awesome experience, hugely positive.”

“I volunteer down at the Democratic National Headquarters,” said Abbie Elliot of Vienna. “I thought I would go to see what he had to say now.”

“I’m here to support President Obama to let the country know that we are as excited this time around,” said Ardyth Scott of Springfield.

“(We’re here), because we’re too poor to vote for Romney,” said friend Kim McCarthy of Burke.

Remarking on the diversity of Obama supporters, which included people of all ages, genders and nationalities, “this is America,” said Alice Page of Herndon.

However, on the other side of the street people spoke adamantly that Obama was the wrong choice for Virginians.

“We came all the way here to make sure people know there is another side to the story,” said Joe Lafiandra of Purcellville.

Republican Delegate Barbara Comstock of Fairfax and Loudoun County was also out on Union Mill, supporting Romney.

“This is ground zero for all of Obama’s tax increases. We need to get the economy moving, people back to work and not overtax,” Comstock said, who also called the health care penalty a huge tax that flies in the face of Obama’s promise of tax relief for the middle class.

Comstock said many more Romney supporters were out knocking on doors on Saturday.

Some Romney supporters people took a stronger stance against Obama, questioning his ethics and legitimacy as a citizen.

“Obama is dismantling America,” said Charles Markert of Loudoun County. “He is an anti-colonialist, because of where he grew up, hating America. He’s actually a genius."

Markerter had supporters among the crowd, whose signs called for Obama to show his birth certificate and college transcripts.

Keeping the lively back and forth alive, the Romney camp, began chanting, “Repeal Obamacare,” and “Go back to Chicago.”

Thought most Obama supporters were less vocal, some took to responding, “Let’s see Romney’s tax return. Tell him to bring his money to the U.S.”

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