Obama a hit as he honors King in Harvey
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama came to Harvey this morning because he said the corruption-plagued, crime-ridden town is exactly the kind of place where Dr. Martin Luther King was needed.
"Some folks were surprised I would come to Harvey," Obama told a packed house at the St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church celebration for the holiday honoring the slain civil rights leader.
"If I recall Dr. King, he wasn't hanging out in Manhattan. Dr. King was not in Beverly Hills. Folks said 'Why are you going to Harvey? Harvey has lots a problems.' I said that why I'm going to Harvey."
(AP)
Mayor Eric Kellogg sat in the audience while Obama spoke, keeping a respectful distance. Obama, while not specifically mentioning the mayor, said politicians in office for personal gain are not adhering to King's message.
"There are a lot things Harvey needs," Obama said. "Some folks here in city hall think that maybe the office that they possess is because they are so special, it is supposed to be a place where they can help their family and their friends."
At the start of his 25-minute keynote address, the junior senator from Illinois deflected speculation he was going to shed light on his presidential ambitions.
"There are a lot of cameras here today, I know you all have noticed I have kept a low profile," Obama said. "I just want to tell all the reporters here I love them, but I'm not making news today. There will be a time for that."
Some in the crowd, estimated at 2,000 people rushed the pulpit when Obama spoke, raising camera phones and snapping pictures.
"It's good to be back home," Obama said. "This is part of home for me, right here."