IR State Bureau - 06/05/07

HELENA -- A Montana group supporting the presidential candidacy of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has scheduled a statewide conference July 14 at Helena High School.

Volunteer Beth Murphy of Helena said the meeting is for supporters of Obama or those who want to learn more about him. It will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school's theater-auditorium.

So far, she said, Montana for Obama has attracted more than 50 members from around the state and is one of more than 5,000 similar groups launched across the country.

"I researched leading candidates from both parties, but after reading 'The Audacity of Hope,' my mind was made up to support Obama," Murphy said.

She said people first react to to Obama's first and last names.

"It is unique, just as his campaign is in its positive tone and his universal message," Murphy said. "He promotes unity, not divisiveness. Many politicians give lip service to reaching across the aisle. He actually does it."