Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins used a Saturday speech to the Irving NAACP to talk about the presidential election.

EVANS CAGLAGE/DMN

"Change and progress come from the most unlikely places," the district attorney said, referring to one of the key words in the campaign of the Democratic nominee, Sen. Barack Obama. The senator's opponent, Sen. John McCain, has pointed to his longer tenure in the U.S. Senate.

Experience is wonderful, Mr. Watkins told his audience, as long as that experience benefits the community. He said that in deciding between candidates, one must ask, "What did your experience do for me?"

Mr. Watkins encouraged listeners to look beyond the candidates' rhetoric and examine what their experience has given their constituents. He used his own life as example and said he came into his position without any experience but focused on "getting smart with crime." Because of his attention, he said, wrongfully accused people have been exonerated.

"We have to get someone with no experience to make things right," Mr. Watkins said.

He continued by reassuring attendees that questioning and challenging leadership does not mean they do not like America.

"We have to progress as a country, as a nation," he said.

Mr. Watkins said endorsing a candidate wasn't the purpose of his remarks to the Irving branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which headed its eighth annual Freedom Fund Gala.

About 250 people attended the event, held on the 26th floor of the Towers at Williams Square, in Las Colinas.

Chapter president Reginald Titus said the gala is held to raise money for scholarships and maintaining the branch.

Lisa Richardson said she came to observe.

"I just wanted to see what they were all about," she said.

Kenneth Gwyn said he attended to meet people and hear Mr. Watkins.

"He's a very interesting individual. My hat's off to him for his work in Dallas County," Mr. Gwyn said.