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MIDDLETOWN — Nearly 200 people turned out for the opening of the regional office of presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Party and community leaders mingled on Monday, July 21, with other residents at the Sorg Room in the Commercial Building, which will serve as the U.S. Senator's campaign headquarters for a four-county region of Butler, Warren Preble and Clinton counties.

In a boisterous speech, Jim Ewers of Middletown exclaimed that Obama "doesn't believe in red states, he doesn't believe in blue states. He believes in the United States.

"Barack Obama has us standing at the corner of hope and opportunity. We have been standing at the corner of despair and disappointment, and I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired," Ewers said to the cheers of the crowd.

Glenda Smith, the Butler county Democrats executive committe vice chairwoman, said she was proud that there is a candidate chosen "not based on the color of the skin, but the content of their character," echoing Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

"We've come a long way," Smith said.

David Neu, of Monroe, said Obama would "close loopholes to prevent companies from moving jobs overseas, and retool the auto industry."

Jean Bussell of Preble County called Obama "the right man at the right time."

Campaign workers encouraged people to join campaign efforts to canvass door to door and make phone calls.

Christen Young, the campaign's regional field director, said their efforts would "make a great birthday present" for Obama, who turns 47 on Aug. 4.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.