Pete Wentz Meets Local Obama Supporters

West side Obama For America supporters got a little star power Saturday afternoon as Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz appeared at a group gathering at Bay Village Police Department.

About two dozen Obama for America volunteers from west shore communities were at the event.

Wentz, whose parents met while working on a senatorial campaign for Vice-President Joe Biden, was also involved in Obama's 2008 campaign.

A new motivation for him, Wentz said, has been his son, Bronx, who was born to Wentz and former wife Ashlee Simpson in late 2008. Check out the video for what he had to say about fatherhood, young voters and the 2012 election.

From Bay Village, Wentz was heading to an appearance in Canton later Saturday and then returning to his Los Angeles home on Sunday.

Cristina Burnett, 16, of Westlake, came to see Wentz, being a big fan.

"I saw that even though he's famous, we can make a difference, too," she said.

Teens and young adults are eager to connect with something bigger than themselves, Burnett said. But they need to educate themselves apart from their parents.

"They have set views," Burnett said. "We have to figure things out for ourselves. We've got a lot to learn. A lot of kids who can vote who just finished high school probably won't because they feel they don't know."

Even if they don't know everything, Burnett said, teens and young adults know what worries them.

"Jobs," she said. "A lot of my friends are having a hard time finding work."

Obama for America volunteer Laura DiVincenzo of Westlake said the group's focus right now is connecting with voters and getting them to the polls.

"People in our area are concerned about education, and access to higher education, for their children," she said. "And there's the economy."

Were you there? Share your photos of Pete Wentz in Bay Village.