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Supporters: Obama the 'candidate of everyone'

BY LETTA TAYLER | letta.tayler@newsday.com

10:54 PM EST, January 26, 2008

Sen. Barack Obama and his wife Michelle celebrate victory in the South Carolina Democratic primary Saturday night. (Getty Photo / January 26, 2008)

Columbia, S.C. - The fans cheering "Yes we can!" at Barack Obama's victory speech were a microcosm of the voters who propelled him to victory in Tuesday's primary blacks above all, but also Latinos, Asians and whites.

When Obama came to the stage and declared, "The cynics who believed that what began in the snows of Iowa was just an illusion were told a different story by the people of South Carolina," some began to cry.

"We want change!" they shouted in the Columbia Convention Center hall, beneath a giant banner reading, "Change you can believe in."

And when Obama continued that the choice voters are making is not about religion, gender or race, tears turned to cheers.

"The media portrayed Obama as the black candidate who like Jesse Jackson would just get the African-American vote," said Kyle Greene, 25, an African-American internet technician who sported a black tee-shirt emblazed with "Obama" in gold letters. "The voters of South Carolina spoke out and said, he is the candidate of everyone."

Exit polls suggested Obama won about one-fourth of the white vote in the three-way race in addition to the vast majority of black ballots.

Though clearly elated, Obama warned that he faces an extraordinary battle to win the nomination.

"We are struggling against our own doubts, our own cycnicism," he said of voters' timidity of casting their lot with a candidate who portrays himself as an alternative to "business as usual in Washington."

At the same time, he said, "that status quo is fighting back with every thing it's got, with the same old tactics that divide us and distract us from solving the problems that people face." The line appeared targeted at rival Hillary Clinton and her husband Bill, who have prompted widespread criticism for striking him hard several times this week, as much as at the Republicans.

But as the fans cheered and swayed to the boisterous rhythms of a live marching ban, there was nary a whiff of doubt or animosity.

"Even a few years ago we probably wouldn't have believed this could happen," said Brandolyn Scott, 29, an elated state lottery worker who brought her six-year-old twin girls to the speech. "This is an historic moment."