Sen. Barack Obama is serious about South Dakota, and the Democratic presidential candidate plans to campaign here, according to a staffer at the grand opening Sunday of the Western South Dakota field office in Rapid City.

Regional field director Melissa Ness told a crowd, which was squeezed into the new headquarters and spilling out onto the sidewalk, that Obama's schedule is tight, so there are no dates scheduled, but he will make an appearance.

"If you think he's good on TV, wait until you see him in person," Ness said.

More than a 100 people visited the office, near the corner of Haines and Anamosa avenues, to sign volunteer registrations, buy Obama paraphernalia such as T-shirts, pins and yard signs and socialize.

Ness told the crowd a lot of work needs to be done before South Dakota's June primary and more staff would be coming to help after Pennsylvania's primary is finished.

"We knew there was a lot of enthusiasm," said Deputy State Director Matt McGovern, adding that he has been getting lots of calls asking when Rapid City would open an office.

"The same excitement you're seeing nationwide, you're seeing here in Rapid City," he said.

Obama's recent comments about bitterness in small-town America, gun ownership and religion won't affect his run against Sen. Hillary Clinton, McGovern said.

After a recent debate in Pennsylvania in which the crowd grew restless after repeated questions about his comments, it is obvious people aren't interested in that anymore, he said.

"The war in Iraq, the slowing economy, the gas prices, those are the issues people care about," he said. "Not a stray comment from Obama, Clinton or (Republican candidate) McCain."

Tom and Linda Martin of Newell made the trip to Rapid City for the opening and were excited to see the large crowd.

Tom said they are looking for a change after eight years of President Bush. He said they will support Clinton if that's who ends up on the general election ballot in November, but they hope it is Obama.

"We think Obama offers a greater possibility for change," Tom Martin said.

They are aware that not everyone in the state wants a democrat in the White House.

"Needless to say, we're a distinct minority in Newell," he said. "So it's wonderful to see all these people."

Gary Heckenlaible of Rapid City donned his Obama sticker and munched on snacks as Sen. Tom Katus, D-Rapid City, talked briefly at the event.

"This is something new for South Dakota -to get a turnout like this for a democrat?" Heckenlaible said.

"Something else is going on that's touched a nerve in people; it's a very trying time and I think people feel that and are responding."

Ness reminded the crowd that volunteers were needed for everything from people manning the telephones to host families for incoming staffers.

There were also sign-up sheets for people willing to bring food to the office for staffers working "12 hour days and not eating right," Ness said.

Judging by the turnout, she didn't expect a problem.

"South Dakota is fired up," she said.

Contact Kayla Gahagan at 394-8410 or Kayla.gahagan@rapid