Dan Rooney, the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, met with volunteers who support Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama at the Salsa Café in Wheeling Thursday morning.

The volunteers exploded with excitement as Rooney entered the room. There where cheers for the football team he has led for decades. Rooney is using his leadership to influence another team, those working to get Obama to the White House.

Rooney said getting involved in politics in this manner is fairly new to him, but Obama made a lasting impression.

“I just saw what a fine person he is. What really convinced me was his character, integrity, how honest he was. He reminds me a lot of Jack Kennedy,” said Rooney.

Rooney said Obama will bring change that the country desperately needs.

“I think he’s going to make a great president and he’s going to bring America back to where we want it,” said Rooney.

West Virginia could be a make-or-break state. That’s why Rooney said it’s essential for voters in West Virginia to make sure they cast their ballots next week.

“It’s very important and that’s why we really want to get the people to come out and vote, because that’s part of our privilege in America,” Rooney said.

There’s no word on whether Sen. Hillary Clinton or Obama will make a stop in the valley for the upcoming West Virginia election.

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