Red State Arkansas Celebrates President Barack Obama

WEBN staff photo

By Felecia Bearden 1-19-2013

“Arkansas has always been pretty much a red state,” said Arkansas resident Wendy Holbrook. “But, we had our own little party for the blue area of the state and celebrated regardless.”

Holbrook and her friend Bessie Reeves were one of the many folks from Arkansas who danced the night away at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. They both excited abut President Obama’s re-election but also have concerns about next four years.

“I’m definitely looking for some progress,” said Holbrook. “I hope that we can look past the partisanship and just saying no to everything because Obama suggested it.”

“Equality…I mean for everything to be what this world was made of,” said Reeves.

But for Claude Hines, the economy is more important than equality and bipartisanship. He claims that he has seen some progress but hopes it continues to move forward.

“I think the economy is moving forward,” said Hines. “And so you don’t want to stop the momentum. You want the momentum continue to move forward. So I think we need a change. So, I’m glad that President Obama is definitely going to move us forward in the next four years and get America back to where we belong.”

The Arkansas Inaugural Gala was one of many galas and balls held Saturday evening before the president’s inaugural swearing-in ceremony. Although, Governor Mike Beebe was not in attendance, the Arkansas Society Club located in Washington, D.C. hosted the gala.