Journalism Multimedia Rally Coverage

Sarah Palin, the US Republican vice presidential candidate, is just the second woman to run on a major party ticket. But female supporters at a rally for Barack Obama in Eisenhower Park criticized the Alaskan governor, along with running mate John McCain, hours before the final presidential debate at the University’s Mack Sports Complex Wednesday.

Barbara Bellantonio, an East Meadow resident, said she voted for Dwight Eisenhower the first time she was eligible to cast a ballot for a presidential candidate. Now, the 71-year-old said she is hitting the campaign trail in support of Obama.

“I feel it’s so important that we elect him,” Bellantonio said. “I’ve never been involved in a campaign like this. I’m going on bus trip to Pennsylvania with the campaign on Saturday. I hung flyers on utility poles. I’ve never done that my whole life.”

Bellantonio was one of about 1,000 supporters, union and political activists who set up chairs and blankets on the lush green lawns in front the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater Wednesday afternoon. She said she voted for the park’s namesake in her first presidential election in 1956 but no longer supports the GOP in part because of Palin.

“The thought of Palin as being the vice president is just too much to bear,” Bellantonio said. “Her stance on abortion, her views on climate change and the way she’s inciting crowds to say terrible things; I’m embarrassed for her.”

The rally came at a time when a Siena College poll reported that Obama surged ahead 22 percentage points in New York over McCain, leading 58-36 percent according to the 631 likely voters.

Rally organizers encouraged those in attendance to visit a booth set up with lists of phone numbers to registered voters in swing states like Ohio, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin in order to encourage voter turnout for the Obama-Joe Biden ticket for next month’s Election Day.

Carol Schlitt was one of the volunteers handing out phone numbers to other Obama supporters, where numbers for registered voters in Ohio were disseminated. She said the numbers were acquired from Ohio’s Board of Elections

“They are not all Democrats, but they are registered voters,” Schlitt said. “We’re trying to identify voters who support the campaign and then make sure they get out and vote on Nov. 4. Ohio is surrounded by battleground states, so we have a dozen phone banks running every week on Long Island…to try and help us with the swing state votes.”

Zach Stern, a student at Nassau Community College, said he is excited about voting for the president for the first time and said he is voting for Obama because of his social agenda.

“Obama’s very passionate with what he wants to do. It’s time for a change,” said Stern, who said he disagrees with McCain’s stance on abortion. “A woman has the right to do whatever she wants with her body. People who are against that; it’s just [puzzling] to me.”

Suffolk County Legis. Jon Cooper supported Obama over New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic primary. Cooper was rewarded by serving as the emcee for the event, sharing the title with Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi.

“We weren't always all together, but we're together now,” Suozzi said.

David Crosby, Graham Nash, Bruce Hornsby and local musicians were slated to perform. No McCain backers or protesters were visible before the free concert, though Republican lawmakers in the media spin room said before the debate McCain still has a chance to gain ground on Obama despite slumping in national polls.

“I think the American people want to understand how he’ll strengthen our economy as it heading towards another rough road,” former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romey said. “I think his policies strengthen America and will get us out of a recession faster and keep it from being deep."