Barack Obama spoke to an estimated 72,000 people on Sunday in Portland, Oregon. (PHOTO CREDIT: AP PHOTO)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Barack Obama was a part of something pretty amazing yesterday – an event that looked more like a Rolling Stones concert than a political rally.
Obama drew the largest crowd of his campaign so far in Oregon, estimated at about 72,000 people. The pictures look like Woodstock, with cheering supporters going on and on as far as the eye can see.
"Wow, wow, wow” is how Obama summed it up when he got on stage and checked out the crowd. Tens of thousands crammed into a riverside park... with another 15,000 left outside.
Obama has achieved many "firsts" in this presidential campaign: the first African-American with a serious shot at his party's nomination, the first candidate in a long while to mobilize this nation's youth and get them to the polls, and now crowds that could fill a football stadium.
Obama says he's planning to go to Iowa to await the results of tomorrow's primaries because "it would be a terrific way to bring things full circle". Of course, the Iowa caucus is where he scored his first big win over Hillary Clinton. He says if things go "as we hope” after Oregon and Kentucky vote, he'll have a majority of pledged delegates which would be a "pretty significant mark."
Obama insists he won't be declaring victory at that point, but it does bring him one step closer to being the Democrats' nominee for president. In the meantime, his campaign has already stepped up attacks on John McCain – primarily tying him to President Bush, and has sent teams into battleground states hoping to sign up millions of Democrats in the next 6 months.
Here’s my question to you: What message does it send the GOP when 72,000 people show up for a Barack Obama campaign rally?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Ron writes:
I am not yet an Obama supporter, but this certainly sends a message that there is a desperate desire to turn the page on these heavy-handed, fear mongering, dishonest politicians who have been leading this nation into an abyss of fear, debt, divisiveness, and just general economic ruin.
Matt from Omaha, Nebraska writes:
All I can say is McCain better have one hell of a ground game if he expects to win. I'd anticipate the Obama campaign being able to force John McCain to spend money in places he once thought safe because of excited volunteers like the 72,000 strong in Oregon.
Kyle writes:
72,000 people in most states would be impressive. But it’s Oregon, one of the most liberal states in the nation. Of course the most liberal candidate is going to be treated like a rock star there. If happened in a state like Texas, I'd say just go ahead and give him the presidency.
M.R. from North Carolina writes:
When I watched news clips of McCain's speeches last week, I couldn't decide if he thought he was addressing a room of 3rd graders or mentally challenged adults. Obama, on the other hand, challenges and inspires the adult in each of us.
BJ from Seminole, Florida writes:
It seems to say people are looking for themselves to see if Obama may have plans to change politics in America. There are millions of us hoping that he can and we want to be part of it. He comes to Florida soon. It will be interesting to see how he will be received here. Many of us are just so sick of the old politics as usual.
Pat from Oregon writes:
Jack, I am an Oregonian and could not be prouder to see that awesome crowd turnout for Obama yesterday. We have tons of retirees in Oregon (me included) and the Portland area has only about 6.6% black population… The Republicans can only hope they would ever see anything CLOSE to the turnout for Obama yesterday. Good job, Oregon.
Paul from Columbia, South Carolfroma writes:
Jack, Pretty slow TV sports day.