Kalispell pastor gets time with Obama

Darryl Kistler got something Monday night that few others in the Flathead Valley can claim: one-on-one time with Democratic presidential contender Sen. Barack Obama.

Kistler, pastor of the United Church of Christ in Kalispell, was one of 10 Montana volunteers who were invited to meet with Obama after the senator's rally in Bozeman.

They were winners of the campaign's "Montana Change Challenge" for their extraordinary volunteer efforts.

"It was amazing having an opportunity to speak with him," Kistler said.

The top volunteers met Obama as a group, then had 2 to 3 minutes each to ask questions one-on-one.

The time went by fast, Kistler said, but he was able to ask Obama whether he planned to continue his support of the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program that allows states to supplement their anti-drug spending with federal tax dollars. Obama assured him he'd continue to support the legislation driving that program.

Kistler also asked him what he'd do to help curb the methamphetamine drug program, then invited him to visit the Flathead.

"That was my 2.5 to 3 minutes of one-on-one time," Kistler said. "I drove five hours for 2.5 minutes. I'm not going to do that for a whole lot of people."

KISTLER, 33, has canvassed door-to-door for Obama in Kalispell. He and his fiancee, Sasha Perkins, also have hosted members of Obama's campaign and phone-bank volunteers.

"I'm the vocal, out-front supporter," he said.

Kistler listed three reasons for his staunch support of the Illinois senator.

"Obama has made a clear-cut promise to end the war in Iraq. For me, that's the No. 1 issue," he said.

He cited Obama's ability to work beyond partisan politics and ability to help repair America's world image as other important tenets that swayed him to support the Chicago senator. Kistler spent a lot of time abroad because his father was in the Air Force, and it affected his world view, he said.

"It's important that the U.S. has an image in the world where we're perceived as leaders and not bullies," he said.

Kistler said he attended appearances in Butte by both Obama and presidential opponent Sen. Hillary Clinton, and likened Obama's rallies to a rock concert.

"The Bozeman rally was overpowering," he said. "He puts on a rock show like Springsteen or U2. You could cut the excitement with a knife."

A second Flathead resident, Astrid Seiger of Whitefish, also was a winner of "Montana Change Challenge," but was unable to join Obama in Bozeman. Her brother was killed while serving in Iraq and she supports Obama's campaign because of her opposition to the war.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com