Call them Obamacans and Obamacan’ts, but Coloradans from all points on the political spectrum who are attending the inauguration say they can’t wait to be a part of history.
Patricia and Tedd Stiles, once Republicans, are going as invited guests on the Inaugural Whistle Stop Tour, an all-day train ride from Philadelphia to Washington with the Obamas and the Bidens.
“We’ve won the historical lottery,” said Tedd Stiles, a pilot for United Airlines.
His wife, Patricia, was one of 16 guests from across the country whom the Obama transition team picked for this “group of everyday Americans.”
“These people represent the diversity and life experiences of America,” said Katherine Lyons, a spokeswoman with the Presidential Inaugural Committee 2009.
The Whistle Stop Tour will take place on the Saturday before the Jan. 20 inauguration, departing in Philadelphia with stops in Wilmington, Del., to pick up Vice President-elect Joe Biden and Baltimore before arriving in Washington.
Patricia Stiles, a dental hygienist from Parker, said she got involved with the campaign after her two children challenged her to learn about Barack Obama’s policies.
“Tedd and I value nothing more than an education, and I was so impressed with the intellect of that ticket,” Stiles said. “That’s the blessing of having educated children.”
The Stiles family jumped on board to help the Obama campaign, and Patricia introduced Biden at an October rally in Colorado Springs.
And on the other side, Rehea Diedrich, 14, said that although she and her family did not support the Obama-Biden ticket, she has worked hard raising funds to get to the capital.
Diedrich is going with 136 other students from Colorado with the Presidential Inaugural Youth Conference, funding her $5,000 trip through bake sales and carwashes.
“I’m not a big supporter. I don’t think abortion is right,” Diedrich said. “But he (Obama) is the man of power. I am super excited to have the honor to go. It’s a big moment for me.”
As for Patricia Stiles, she said her family is busy getting ready to leave next week.
“No matter where you line up in the political stuff, it’s an exciting moment,” she said.
Sally S. Ho: 303-954-1638 or sho@denverpost.com
