Marin Democrats said President Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention Thursday night was an inspiring blend of style and substance.

Even some Marin Republicans acknowledged President Obama's gift for rhetoric; however, no local GOP supporter said they were moved by the president's arguments.

"I thought President Obama's speech was fantastic. I thought it was really inspirational," said Andrea de la Fuente of San Rafael, an Obama campaign volunteer who watched the speech with other Democrats at a campaign office in San Rafael. "It really brought me back to that feeling from 2008 of hope and opportunity and that we're all in it together and that he's the one that is going to lead us down the path we need to go."

"In contrast to the Republican notion that it is everybody for himself," de la Fuente said. " I feel like the Democratic message came through strong that we're leaving nobody behind, and we're pulling everybody up with us."

Max Perrey, 21, of Mill Valley, a delegate at the Democratic National Convention, said, "I really like how President Obama engaged the crowd. I liked how he was straightforward. It really wasn't a campaign rally speech necessarily. It was more reserved than that."

Perrey said he never got the sense that the president lacked emotion, despite his reserve.

"There is emotion behind it but it's not fake," Perrey said. "I appreciate that about him. It comes across as very real and authentic."

Jessica Jackson of Mill Valley, who is also a delegate at this week's Democratic National Convention, said, " Unlike Romney's speech, President Obama spoke in concrete terms, clearly laying out his vision for the future. As a recent graduate, with heavy loan debt, I loved when the president said he believes that a person's finances should not prevent them from getting an education or from achieving their dreams."

Jackson added, "President Obama's humility and thoughtfulness shone through as he thanked everyone for restoring his hope."

West Marin author and progressive activist Norman Solomon said, "We heard an eloquent speech that underscored why it's important for Obama to win. In sharp contrast to his Republican opponent, Obama has given voice to real insights about our society.

"At the same time," Solomon said, "many progressives in Marin and across the country are painfully aware of major gaps between such populist oratory and the president's actual policies — from civil liberties to economic priorities to warfare in several countries to climate change and more. It was a great speech, and Obama must be re-elected, but candor requires acknowledging that his administration has let progressives down in profound ways."

Even some Republicans complimented President Obama on his oratory.

Sally Zelikovsky of San Rafael, founder of the Bay Area Patriots and coordinator of the San Francisco Tea Party, said, "He gave a great speech. He is a fabulous wordsmith; he's eminently convincing."

Morgan Kelley of San Rafael, the California Republican Party's regional vice chairperson for the Bay Area, said, "He reads a good speech; but he always has."

Republicans said the speech, however, doesn't change the fact that President Obama has been unable to fix the economy.

Zelikovsky said, "I think the average American who is critically evaluating this speech says to themselves, "You've had four years to do this. Why are you asking us for four more?"

Sashi McEntee of Mill Valley, who along with Zelikovsky was a delegate at last week's Republican National Convention, said, "To me the slogan 'forward' sounds like somebody who doesn't want to stand on his record. It was an emotional appeal more than a substantive policy speech."

Karen Molden of Sleepy Hollow, who is heading the local campaign effort for Mitt Romney, said, "Most of his speech was recycled rhetoric from four years ago. He was selling entitlements from education to bailouts to handouts, the same rhetoric we've been listening to."

Terry Graham of Mill Valley, said, "He kept talking about the Yellowbrick Road to the future, and I kept waiting for Dorothy and Toto and the Wizard to join him on stage — so I'm voting for Ron Paul."

Contact Richard Halstead via e-mail at