Protesters add voices to crowd

Ann Arbor— As supporters streamed in to Al Glick Field House, a handful of protesters picketed outside.

A few dozen people who identified themselves as Republicans, tea party supporters and "concerned citizens" milled about outside holding signs promoting anti-abortion advocacy, suggesting Obama is pushing a socialist agenda and calling for an end to nationalized health care, which they referred to as Obamacare.

John Cruz, 68, of Saline, owner of a construction company, made a sign that read "Zombies," using the Obama campaign's O logo. He and several opposed to the president suggested Obama was pushing a socialist agenda.

"He's carrying through on his campaign promise to fundamentally change this country into socialism," said Cruz, who identified himself as a member of the tea party.

Ian Chapman and friend Otto Gago, both of Ann Arbor, criticized the president's jobs and environmental policies.

"He's trying to create a diversion by saying we need to lower the cost of education, but if he addressed the issue of the economy and jobs in this country we'd be able to afford an education," said Chapman, 59, who is retired.

Gago, 50, said environmental regulation policies pushed by the Obama administration are stifling economic growth.

"Over-regulating is killing our country," he said.

U-M engineering student Sam Shrago, 18, said Obama's administration is killing jobs.

"We're gathered here because we feel he's here to garner electoral support instead of addressing the issues," Shrago said.

Inside the arena, ticket holders waiting for the president listened to Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and U2's "City of Blinding Lights" blaring from speakers. Many in the audience gripped smartphones and cameras, prepared to click away once Obama arrived.

Laura Wernick, a postdoctoral student of social work, bounced her 9-week-old son Sasha above her head, while her partner, Lori Brooks, took photos of the happy mother and baby.

"He's probably the youngest Obama supporter here," said family friend Gloria Thomas of Sasha, whose U-M onesie had an Obama button affixed to it.

After Obama's 33-minute-long speech that mostly echoed Tuesday's State of the Union address, Rory Crook, 30, a U-M grad student in the school of public health, said he was impressed with Obama's comments about the revival of the auto industry.

"I was really happy when he saved the auto industry. I know there was a lot of rebuttal and agitation in the past about it being bailed out, but we needed it, and it was a good thing," Crook said.

Abel Nieto, 42, who works at a management company in Ann Arbor, paid particular attention to Obama's acknowledgment to sacrifices made by students.

"It was awesome that he included all of the community colleges in the community, not just Michigan, but that he acknowledged all of the hard work community college students do so they can eventually transfer," Nieto said.

smdaniels@detnews.com

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