"I am a gray-haired old woman, and I am not supposed to support Obama"

Marty Tinkler supports Sen. Barack Obama for president. As an older woman, she fits the demographic of a Hillary Clinton supporter.

"I am a gray-haired old woman, and I am not supposed to support Obama," Tinkler said.

She, along with her husband, Jim, attended the opening of an Obama campaign office in Hendersonville on Monday, Obama's 34th in North Carolina. The crowd filled the office and flowed out into the parking lot.

Former Mississippi Gov. Ray Mabus represented Obama at the event. He said Obama's appeal is the diverse group of people that support him. Mabus said Obama will make the Democratic Party competitive in states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi and Georgia, .

"In Barack Obama, we have somebody who is going to break those divides," Mabus said, adding, "Look at the crowd. It is so inclusive."

Gary Pichard heads Henderson County United for Barack Obama. He said the office is important to the campaign, because the location gives Obama a physical presence in the county.

"It provides the opportunity for local people to meet local people who are really concerned about where this country is going," Prichard said.

He said the campaign office will do canvassing and make phone calls. Prichard said Henderson County is changing, and he believes there is a lot of support for Obama.

Hendersonville resident Irene Brinegar said she is excited that North Carolina is playing such an important role in the presidential election.

"I think it is wonderful that we are not at the end," she said. "And what we do will have a big impact on how we move forward."