Obama and Corzine greet cheering thousands at FDU, Teaneck

HACKENSACK — Governor Corzine's hope that President Obama's appearance Wednesday in Bergen County would inspire voters to send him back to Trenton may have worked – at least for one young woman.

"I wasn't going to vote, because I just wasn't that interested in the election, but hearing Obama speak and back Corzine up like that completely changed my mind," said Urshala Herald, a 21-year-old Fairleigh Dickinson University student. "He was so inspirational, and he made me understand how important this election is."

The rally at the Rothman Center at FDU drew thousands of Democratic supporters, who heard speeches from Obama; Corzine; his running mate, state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, D-Teaneck; and Caroline Kennedy, among others.

Their words were sprinkled with jabs at Republican challenger Chris Christie, whose name drew boos from the crowd. Corzine and Weinberg compared Christie's policies to those of former President George W. Bush.

But the crowd saved most of its energy for the president, whose entrance was greeted with a standing ovation and a deafening chant of "Obama."

During his speech, voices came from across the arena: "Tell it like it is!" One person screamed, "I love you!"

By the end of his speech, he had the crowd chanting Corzine's name, rather than his own.

"I would have waited two days in line to see him," said Irene Rakestraw, a New Milford resident, who had to skip the inauguration when her mother took ill. "I've been trying to see the president for two years. It was well worth it."

When the doors opened at 3 p.m., the line snaked around the building and into the parking lot. But the wait did little to dampen the enthusiasm of Englewood resident Maria Valencia and her 8-year-old daughter, Gabriella, who were excited to hear President Obama speak in person for the first time.

"I feel that she will remember this forever," Valencia said.

And her daughter?

"I want to get his autograph," she said hopefully, clutching a blue Corzine-Weinberg sign.

Both inside and out, the atmosphere had the feel of an Obama campaign rally from 2008. Some entrepreneurs sold Obama pins and calendars, while speakers blasting the music of Bon Jovi and Lady Gaga energized the arena.

Paterson resident Alexzine Hunter came to the rally with her three daughters, a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter. Earlier this year, she wrote a poem and sent it to Obama after his inauguration; she brought it with her in her purse.

"I'm elated to be here," she said. "I feel very honored."

Agnes McClendon of Englewood said she brought eight friends and family members with her to the event.

"I'm here to witness history," she said.