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on November 03, 2012 at 1:58 PM, updated November 03, 2012 at 2:17 PM
on November 03, 2012 at 1:58 PM, updated November 03, 2012 at 2:17 PM
Stevie Wonder performs for a sparse crowd at Cleveland State University during a get-out-the-vote rally in support of President Barack Obama on Nov. 3.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Legendary performer Stevie Wonder this morning expressed his love for Cleveland during a get-out-the-vote rally at Cleveland State University.
His love went largely unrequited.
Fewer than 200 people showed up to watch Wonder perform a handful of his hits at the early voting event in support of President Barack Obama.
Most of the people had learned of the event just hours before the 9:30 a.m. start time. Some just happened to be in the area and followed the live music.
Campaign volunteer Ken Johnson asked who in the crowd had voted early before introducing Wonder.
Nearly every hand went up.
Wonder took the stage at about 10:30 a.m.
"I do a song. You go vote. You come back. We do some more music," he said before opening with "Sir Duke."
No one left to vote after the first -- or any -- song.
A shuttle meant to take voters to the nearby Cuyahoga County Board of Elections left empty after Wonder's final song, "Superstition."
Obama for America Ohio, which hosted the rally, informed its nearly 34,000 followers on Twitter about the event around 10 a.m.
"Perhaps it wasn't advertised properly, but the people who are here are fired up," said Bill Milhoan, of Mentor.
Milhoan, who said he supports Obama, was one of the few people in the crowd who have not already voted.
"It would be disingenuous to say I am here because of Obama," he said. "How do you pass up a chance to see Stevie Wonder?"
Follow Brandon Blackwell on Twitter @blackwelltweets
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