Mantua Neighbors Gather to Catch Glimpse of Obama (With VIDEO)

Dozens of residents hoped for a peek of President Barack Obama, who hosted a discussion in the backyard of John Nicholas and Nicole Armstrong on Barbara Lane in Fairfax County.

"I want an autograph!" said Sophie Thiel, 9, a resident of Mantua, the neighborhood where Obama spoke.

Her mother had a different plan.

"I was hoping he would blow kisses, but I'll settle for a view of the motorcade," joked Katherine Thiel, who sported an Alex P. Keaton for president t-shirt.

But don't let her throwback to the fictional young Republican fool you.

"I'm a big supporter of Obama's," she said. "It's nice to have politics literally in our backyard."

The crowd gathered mostly around Kati Hesford's driveway, located near the corner of Chichester and Barbara lanes. Several people held signs, ranging from "Stop Mad Money Spending" to "Welcome President Obama."

Cindy Gorgone may not be excited about Obama's policies, but she acknowledged the significance of Obama's presence so close to her home.

"Hey, I'm a Republican, but he's the president. Not many people can say the president came to their neighborhood," said Cindy Gorgone, a Mantua resident.

Neighbors said the hosts are active members of the community, with Armstrong president of Mantua Elementary School's PTA and Nicholas a member of the neighborhood association.

The excitement did not attract nearby residents only. The Northern Virginia Tea Party got wind of the president's backyard discussion this morning and arranged a protest as quickly as it could, said Ron Wilcox, an organizer with the group. Five protesters stood near Hesford's driveway, though Wilcox said others were in different parts of the neighborhood.

"Our main concern is reckless spending," he said. "It'll lead to high taxes, and we're really stealing from our children's future [by spending too much.]"

As far as Obama addressing issues concerning small businesses, Wilcox thinks Obama should stay out of it.

"We think it's none of the president's business to tell businesses how to run their affairs," he said.

After some residents waited more than two hours, the president and his motorcade passed by the crowd. Obama waved to them on their way out.

"It was so cool," said Henry Hesford, 8. "I swear he winked at me!"