Obama lays out plan amid hundreds at Dobson

President Barack Obama delivered a 24-minute speech at Mesa's Dobson High School Wednesday morning, unveiling plans to fix the nation's mortgage crisis and extending federal help to up to 9 million homeowners.

Dobson students question Obama's plan

SLIDESHOW: President Obama's visit to Mesa

Obama unveils plan to fix mortage crisis

White House Q & A for homeowners

Dobson buzzes with excitement over Obama

More than 500 protest Obama's arrival

Text of Obama's speech

The president took the flag-adorned gymnasium stage at 10:24 a.m., while supporters cheered, applauded and snapped photos of his first Arizona visit since taking office.

"It's good to be back in Arizona," Obama said. "Are you excited?"

Obama thanked the school and fans, many of whom camped overnight to get a good spot to see the president.

They weren't disappointed.

Most of those who watched the address walked out with smiles on their faces. They stopped to cheer and wave as the president's motorcade left.

Ryan Boyd, 22, and Kristen Heffernan, 19, waited in line 14 hours to snag tickets. Both said it was well worth it.

"It was surreal inside," Boyd said. "This is one of the most powerful persons in the world, and we were 20 feet from him."

Heffernan, who called it an electrifying event, was pleased Obama's plan would help those who were laid off, had a medical problem or other issues that led them to foreclosure, through no fault of their own.

Tempe resident Janice Lisy-Anderson, 65, a real estate agent, called the speech "wonderful."

"It's going to help people stay in their homes and it will help neighborhoods," she said. "He's not going to help investors who were flipping homes, but homeowners who need the help. I really like this plan."

But Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party and treasurer of the Republican National Committee, said Obama's plan will not benefit most people.

"Ninety percent of the people that are working hard are the ones who are going to have to pay for all these liar loans," Pullen said after watching the speech at Dobson. "They talk a good game, they talk about bipartisanship, but we don't see any of that."

Obama supporters nearby booed and heckled him, some carrying signs of "Yes We Can" and "Yes We Did."

Earlier, up to 2,000 people lined Guadalupe Road outside Dobson High School, braving the frigid early-morning temperatures, many holding comforting cups of coffee and a few wrapped in blankets. Hot dog and T-shirt vendors made the most of the gathering crowd.

Among the mass of people were protesters, many of whom carried signs critical of Obama and his stimulus plan signed into law Tuesday.

The presidential visit forced the closure of Guadalupe, and the neighborhoods north of the school were packed with cars.

Many of the supporters had already been waiting outside the school overnight.

Chryselle Williams of Gilbert, a broadcast journalism student at Mesa Community College, who arrived to camp out at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday - the first person in line - simply said: "I'm excited."

Jeremy Wahl, a Dobson High School sophomore, the third person in line, was planning to skip classes for the day.

"I talked to my parents about it, and they thought this would be more educational," Wahl said.

The first people in line said there was camaraderie among those who camped out overnight.

"I feel like I've known these people all my life," Wahl said.

The presence of Obama could be felt in other parts of the Valley as well. At 9:30 a.m., the intersection of Loop 202, state Route 51 and Interstate 10 was completely jammed due to his motorcade. A police helicopter circled over the interchange.

At Dobson, a steady flow of people trickled in last night, and about 2 a.m. the crowds began showing up en masse.

At 7 a.m., an organizer began reciting the rules, which prohibited people from bringing in pens and paper, cameras with removable lenses and a long list of other items.

This announcement caused a parade of people to head back to their cars to unload their belongings.

By about 7:40 a.m., the 200-yard-long line along Guadalupe Road began moving and ticket holders were being allowed onto the campus grounds.

Cars honked as they drove by.

Inside the school, students wore Dobson shirts and Dobson colors and made their way to the classrooms.

"I think it's wonderful. There is an air of excitement, and I'm pleased everyone is acting in an appropriate way for welcoming the president of the United States," said Debra Duvall, superintendent of Mesa Unified School District. "I can't think of anything more exciting happening at Dobson High School this spring."

This is Obama's first presidential visit to Arizona, where he addressed 500 to 600 people about 10:25 a.m. at Dobson.

The president spotlighted Mesa's economic turmoil as an example of the home mortgage crisis imperiling the global economy. Foreclosure numbers continue to rocket across Mesa and other parts of the East Valley.

A few hundred protesters also lined each side of Guadalupe, carrying a variety messages, many sarcastic:

"Don't tread on me," "Spend all you want, I'll pick up the tab," "I'll keep my freedom! You keep the change!" "Free fertility drugs now." And "B.O. smells and so does Socialism."

Lynne Seaman, sitting at the entrance to the high school, was making a peace sign that read, "Dobson High parent loves and supports you. One love."

Seaman, 50, didn't get tickets despite waiting in line. Her daughter is a senior at the high school. Seaman is a single mom, works two jobs and makes $17,000 a year, she said.

"I'm extremely hopeful things will change," she said. "I still can't believe he got elected. It's still overwhelming."

Inside the gym, ticket holders filed in past the student choir scheduled to perform. The press corps set up their equipment, as did student journalists from Dobson High.

"I had to listen to classical music to get to sleep last night," said Alina Reunsaat, 17.

As she walked in the gym, her reaction was: "Wow. It doesn't look like you normally see it."