Obama Draws Largest Crowd Of His Campaign At Philadelphia Rally

PHILADELPHIA — Barack Obama was greeted by the largest crowd of his campaign Friday night in Philadelphia. Some 35,000 people jammed into Independence Park to see the Democratic presidential candidate, four days before this state's crucial April 22 primary.

Frank Friel, director of security at the Independence Visitor Center, made the official estimate.

The crowd exceed the 30,000 who greeted Obama and Oprah Winfrey in December in Columbia, S.C.

Obama told the crowd the United States is at a crucial moment in its history, much like what the founding fathers faced in Philadelphia.

"It was over 200 years ago that a group of patriots gathered in this city to do something that no one in the world believed they could do," Obama said. "After years of a government that didn't listen to them, or speak for them, or represent their hopes and their dreams, a few humble colonists came to Philadelphia to declare their independence from the tyranny of the British throne."

The Illinois senator called Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton a "tenacious" opponent but said it was time to move beyond the politics of the 1990s.

"Her message comes down to this: We can't really change the say-anything, do-anything, special interest-driven game in Washington, so we might as well choose a candidate who really knows how to play it," Obama said.

Comments

[LBM]

Attracting people to a rally isn't the same as getting their votes. How many there even were registered to vote in the primary? I went to an Obama rally here along with many other non-Obama voters. He attracts people because he's making history and everyone wants to see him in person. That doesn't equal votes.

[obamanation31]

You are right. He's making history.

[LBM]

Of course he is and so is Hillary. The entire country should be proud of both of them!

[whatchamean]

NEWS FLASH! Obama campaign internals show that he is ahead in PA. Undecideds have broken his way and the college/youth vote cannot be accounted for in polls because cell phones cannot be accessed. This is why he has been all smiles the last few days having fun and ready for his victory in a state that he has been down as much a 26 points the past few months.

[JeremyO]

Hey everybody you've got to see this. It's a searing critique of Hillary's vote for war. Unbelievable!

Hillary's Civil War

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK_fXnubsm8

[csunbean]

O.K. EINSTEIN ONE MORE TIME

COMPARE APPLES to APPLES
Obama was not in Senate he was not given the "intelligence" that we learned our own CIA distrusted that BUSH used to sell the idea that there were WMD THis deception was not something that was Hillary fault.. or Rockefeller or Kerry who also voted yes. This was BUSH's Lie. Obama was not a senator he did not have access to this confidential infomation and when he did get in the Senate he voted exactly the same as Hillary on War issues.
SO go educate yourself for once.
AND Google the GLOBAL POVERTY ACT while you are at. Obama wants to give too much of our money away 845 BILLION ABROAD when we are not taking care of people at Home.

[andreja]

i won't believe it unless i see it...

i am an obama supporter, but am terrrified she will not only win PA, but get the nomination, too...
i hope you are right, and i am very, very, very wrong...

[andreja]

i won't believe it unless i see it...
i am an obama supporter, but am terrified she will not only win PA, but secure the
nomination­...hope you are right, and i am terribly wrong...

[CTmom13]

send an email to Bob Schieffer’s and thank him - FINALLY a real HONEST journalist

email: cbsnews.cos.co


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-4elxJouBY&eurl=http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/4/20/14840/3341/838/499528

These distractions need to stop

[GetReal08]

How Hillary can win!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBGyuYKlxIg

[GetReal08]

Yet another large crown in Harrisburg PA on Saturday - pics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g50AFtjjyCo&feature=user

[WWJD2]

Barack actually sounds like he can't talk in the video. We have a MANdate. We have a MANdate. Does he know what that means?? I expect a daily tear off calendar to come off with his "Bushisms".

[WilliamBentley2]

Let's call this one: WWJD2 passed away at 2:49pm on 4/20/08. He died from cerebral flatulence. Poor thing.

[Actionmac]

Sad little person are you going to shut up or spend the next 8 years whining because you have to say President Obama.

[neocon666]

Is that what they teach in troll school? Nit picking? 35,000 people came to hear a Barack Obama speech because as we all know, he can't talk.

[hardlynew]

If you think all your negative comments towards Obama are going to have any effect, you are sadly mistaken. We are on a mission and we will not be taken down by the likes of you.

[ejlima]

Thanks for the reporting. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts with me, and posting the links. GOD bless all of you, the messengers of truth. Keep it "UP".

[JAsonMA]

An open letter to Hillary supporters­... pass it on if you wish.

I think the biggest misconception HIllary supporters have of Obama supporters is that we are against their movement. That somehow Obama supporters are anti-woman.

But the one of the reason Obama supporters are so dedicated and sometimes intense to a fault, is to show HRC supporters that we are all fighting for the same thing. That we are in no means against them. We are just looking at the same problems from different point of view.

From a HRC supporter perspective, they believe she is experienced and can go into washington and play the game and make things right.

From an Obama supporters they believe that change is this country is not the take of politicians alone, but through co-operation and hard work of people. The concept is you do not leave the work for others, you have to go out right now and work for that change. That is why his supports are so involved and continue to draw in more people that want to take an active role in shaping their futures. People that were once cynical about government are now understanding that each and every individual has his/her role to play in improving America and that is where the excitement is coming from.

Same team with different approaches.

[chandler02]

Nice post, Jason! We are all on the same team.

[happyfeelin]

Amen, Brother, Amen! I'm Hillary's demographic and I voted for Obama because he didn't get the chance she had along with Bill and screwed it up. It's no more about them, it's about all of US! She thinks that getting into office allows HER and HER TEAM, of chronies and flunkies to just nod their head and sell us all down the river; I'm not about to clean up some Chinese lady's home as their third-world bitch! I want Obama because I want us to redeem our standing in this world; there are only 2 ways to do that; diplomatically, which Barack CAN do, and with a sense of power behind calm, which Barack Obama encompasses. No more GI Joe types like McCain, who will end up tortured again when the Saudi's decide that we're really not worth standing behind anymore since our dollar's not worth the paper its printed on. WE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM, but Barack team cheats less than hers does.

[GetReal08]

C'mon Philly Bring it!!!
Go Obama! "Declare your Independence” from the divisive politics of the past! It's time“change” Washington!

Check out the Rally in Philly!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QORZY11IHMo

[talkingclock]

35,000 and counting.

GO OBAMA 08

[Lempira]

35,000 voices can't all be wrong
when was the last time anyone ever heard of a polititian inspiring this kind of reaction?

[elsrks]

I love reading posts on the Huffington-- but this morning I am appauled at WWJD2!

WWJD2 who is soo wrong, misguided and apparently has nothing else to do in his/her life but monopolize and waste people's time posting identical MIS information in response to different articles.
WWJD2's assertions are INCORRECT , GROSSLY SLANTED and INCOMPLETE re: the CLINTON years.
Take the time WWJD2 to STUDY history instead of lashing out at other people.
Study the 90's--there's much to be learned--so much is critical timing--it was the end of the Cold War with precipitous decrease in Military budget and the rise of the dot com.......­.

AND WWJD2-- WHAT ABOUT the RWANDA GENOCIDE??­??????????­???????? and the Clintons many lost opportunities to save these people...c­hildren???­?? you make no mention of this in any of your repetitive posts.

WWJD2-- politicians are also looking for a CHANGE and NEW DIRECTION/NEW WAY DOING BUSINESS in Washington-- that is why day after day another super delegate emerges in support of Obama!

[Mojane]

He also left a budget surplus for Bush to waste on this debacle. HRC touts this fact, but he could have spent/allocated that money to domestic programs, infrastructure, schools, health care, ....

As you say, the timing of their tenures couldn't have been better. However, they managed to lose the Congress and triangulate so beautifully that the Democratic Party has had to learn how to hold it's head up again.

No thanks. I really don't want them back in office. They had it good last time, but this is a whole different world and domestic picture...­..way more dangerous and nasty.

[obamanation31]

Please stop the madness. We have a lot of problems ahead of us that we need to solve. What we need to ask ourselves who is most able to work with people from both sides of the isle and bring about change and who has a plan to solve our problems.
The choice is clear: OBAMA.
Hillary Clinton has good plans but won’t be able to unify the country, and John McCain is wrong.

[pleeezzze]

Sounds like you're trying to convince Yourself ,posting you choice twice !

Where in this country do you live , that you believe Obama is "unifying " ??

Sorry,but that is an out and out imaginary Dream !

[obamanation31]

Do you really think she can be elected in the General election? Do you really think that she can pass the health care reform when she totally failed to do so the first time?
I don't.

[FedUpWithThisMess]

pleeezzze,
Where in this country do you live , that you believe Hillary Clinton is "unifying " ??

[tedbear]

You wish it was a dream! Reality, baby, reality.

I just watched the video of Obama in Philly. Astoundingly uplifting to see the people and the soon to be Democratic Presidential Nominee together.

This Obama movement is gaining more and more support. What a great day for our country. Hope rocks!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!

[obamanation31]

Please Stop the madness. We have many problems ahead of us. What we need to be asking ourselves is who has the best plan for America. Who is most able to make changes that will solve our problems. The choice is clear : OBAMA.
Hillary is very polarozing and won't win. McCain is wrong.

[WWJD2]

Obama's the man!!! Check out the video of all his accomplishments .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OQw-ri1nMU

[FedUpWithThisMess]

I LOVE it and LOVE Senator Barack Obama 08!

[athenalong]

I know one thing...

JESUS would NOT DO what YOU are DOING, if you are a believer.

Blasphemer.

[sklfcats]

Dude, they showed up to boo him...

[brioli]

Clinton is done after April 25th
here's the proof
http://www.hillaryproject.com/index.php?/en/story-details/what_hillary_clinton_and_the_media_are_hiding_from_the_voters/

[ProgressiveBum]

LMAO, this is so in keeping with her character. Throw the book at this MONSTER!

[newsmaker]

if they had showed up to boo him it would have been news coverage every 5 seconds like the bitter comment.

[Oakland]

Dude is so yesterday.