The 'Inspiration And Hope' Of Obama

Not to make it an all Bronx day here, but a few nights ago [Haile Rivera] finally had his dinner with Illinois Senator Barack Obama, a dinner that he won as part of a contest after he donated $25 to the Obama campaign.

Rivera, who is an emerging City Council candidate in the northwest Bronx (and no relation to the borough's Rivera political dynasty), said he was thoroughly impressed with Obama both on policy and a personal level. "I must say that I walked away with even more inspiration and hope that the American People make the right decision and support Barack for President. We are in desperate need for leadership that is transparent and that listens and understands the people," said Rivera.

Rivera also invited Obama to dine in The Bronx, to which Obama said he "would love to come out and let's see how we can make that happen." Rivera also presented Obama with two gifts, the book  "The Dominican Republic: A National History" written by Dominican Historian Frank Moya Pons and a Bronx baseball cap.