A large ballroom in red, white and blue decor was the setting for an AFSCME-sponsored event Saturday with special speaker Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., presidential hopeful for the 2008 election, at the Holiday Inn near the Des Moines International Airport.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, one of the largest working union organizations in the country, is looking to sponsor a political candidate for the election and have opened their ears and minds to three speakers: Obama, Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Sen. Chris Dodd D-Conn.

The welcome was given by Danny Homan, president of AFSCME Iowa Council 61. He began his brief introduction by welcoming his fellow delegates to the event with an appreciation for their determination and hard work. After a brief history on AFSCME and the progress they have made since the organization first began, Homan then gave a spirited welcome to Obama.

Obama climbed the steps of the stage slowly, waving to the people with a smile. The crowd gave a standing ovation with shouts from corners of the room and loud clapping.

Obama welcomed all who attended and began his speech with acknowledgement to all who helped with the event. He said a challenging time is ahead for American laborers and families as more hard work is being shifted onto the laborers’ backs.

“We are left to ask ourselves, ‘will I be able to leave my child in a world that is better than I found it?'” he said.

His work with a steel plant in Illinois was mentioned as proof of his work of helping others find great jobs in Illinois.

Obama then began on how he would work with everyday workers to solve some current problems faced in America.

“The only way we can build a movement is to have a president who is supportive of that movement,” he said. “Now is the time for us to come together in unity to build a movement.”

Obama said by uniting, visions such as reducing prison rates and reducing high school and college drop outs can be accomplished.

He said his health care plan would have American families keeping an additional $2,500 in their pockets each year from money saved from high health care costs. Obama said he plans to unite with American workers and military personnel by taking a stance to end the war by late March 2007. He encouraged the audience to keep pressure on Iowa’s current senators to end the war and pull troops out now. He is confident that by uniting, a better future is a step closer each day.

“We have to march to that hopeful vision together,” he said.

Obama ended his speech by cheering on a march to the White House for a better future.

“Ordinary people can make extraordinary decisions as long as they are unified,” he said. “March toward tomorrow for others who have marched before for today.”

After the event, Fort Dodge AFSCME delegate Daniel Bednar said he felt the evening with Obama went very well. Bednar, was looking to see what Obama had to say about health insurance and privatization issues. After three days of listening to other presidential hopefuls, he thought Obama’s speech was the most successful.

“I like Obama because he gives strong hope for all people,” Bednar said.