Obama Draws Estimated Crowd Of 75,000 In Portland (SLIDESHOW)

The Washington Post reports from Obama's rally in Portland, Oregon:

Sen. Barack Obama has seen his share of large crowds over the last 15 months, but his campaign said they have not approached the numbers gathered along the waterfront here right now.

The campaign, citing figures from Duane Bray, battalion chief of Portland Fire & Rescue, estimated that 75,000 people are watching him speak.

The scene suggests this is not an exaggeration. The sea of heads stretches for half a mile along the grassy embankment, while others watch from kayaks and power boats bobbing on the Willamette River. More hug the rails of the steel bridge that stretches across the water and crowds are even watching from jetties on the opposite shore.

Another account from the Swamp:

The crowd covers the lawn here at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, from the streetside entry gates down to the Willamette River. Portland fire officials estimate 60,000 people are packed inside the park proper and another 10-15,000 are watching outside the gates. Spectators are lining the bridge behind Obama and watching, bikini-clad, from boats on the river.

The stump speech is Obama's standard riff - 30 minutes long and counting now, despite the sun beating down on the candidate. He's added a few Oregonian flourishes, drawing big cheers when he said the country can learn from Portland's commitment to mass transit and bicycle lanes. The biggest applause came when he denounced the Iraq war; Oregon is a hotbed of anti-war activism.

At one point, someone in the crowd shouted an expression of love at Obama. He broke his speech for a moment: "I love you too," he said.

"If you vote for me on Tuesday," he said, "We won't just win Oregon. We'll win this nomination, we'll win this general election. And you and I together, we'll change this country, we'll change the world."

Seventy-five thousand people seemed to like the sound of that.

Here's a slideshow of scenes from the rally:

• • • • • • • From Flickr user snowbeard: http://www.flickr.com/photos/delolds/2503069531/

Comments

[urweatherman]

Shame that noone mentioned that the people showed up for a concert and not just to hear Obama talk. When will you guys ever report the whole truth?

[CaptainZero]

Um...someone already pointed out that The Decemberists usually draw around 2,000. Their high water mark was 15,000 at a free show last September. So ok, have it your way. Obama only drew 60,000. With tiny crowds like that I'm not sure why he bothers.

[Beca]

A month ago, Barack Obama drew a crowd of over 35,000 people in Philadelphia, PA (I was there). There were no bands or anything else, just Obama. Throughout his campaign, he has been known to draw large crowds, and as his popularity increases so do the crowds who attend his rallies. He is a great orator who can energize, inspire and excite a crowd. He is inspiring and energizing--that is what people need and why they go to hear him speak. Many people want to know more about him, so they go to his rallies. Many people know him and go because he inspires and energizes them. Can't take that away from him.
So it is not unusual for him to have drawn a crowd of 75,000 people at a rally in a state that overwhelmingly voted for him.
Attempts to diminish the impact of his rallies or the attendance numbers at this rally do nothing but show the desperation and jealousy of those who try.

[PDX123]

Listen people--I was there and I can assure you that none of us stood in 5 hour lines in the 85 degree heat to hear a local band. This wasn't the kind of thing you popped into because you were curious or because you were one of the Portlanders that "hangs out by the waterfront every weekend." That is such a load of shit, and anyone who lives in this wonderful city knows as much. The fact that people, whether they are for McCain or Clinton, would belittle such a spectaular event that brought 75,000 people together for a common purpose, is pathetic at best. There was a wide range of people, identities, and cultures represented--not just the Burkenstock liberals these cynics would like to believe. Perhaps that is why this is threatening for some--seeing all those people who are ready and motivated to move on from the politics of the past. It must be startling for the people who still practice these politics to realize cheap tactics aren't working anymore, and that your candidate will actually have to start running on their own merit. You may be intimidated by the size and breadth of this movement, but it's only gonna grow so get used to it. As for my brothers and sisters who stood for Obama on that glorious Sunday afternoon--we will always know just how beautiful and historic it was, despite what these fearful and ignorant haters would like think!

[Marzetti]

So there were 75,000 attendees for a concert or the post turtle What is the point ? Is it because there was no one there to meet your bus's or because Mayberry's home town band did not meet you? or because the media's darling was overlooked on the news while the primaries were taking place? The show was nothing different . Same old theatrics on a different day

[vschicago]

Clinton, I didn't know you changed your name to Marzetti...

[Marzetti]

actually marzetti came off a bag of croutons. Sounds like your name came off a box of WFD

[Marzetti]

Yu missed yu busssssss

[MLM424]

Haha good one!

[valkyrie607]

Now you just sound desperate.

[MGCook]

So let me get this straight:

The Decemberists are a terrific popular indie band that draw around 2000 to paying concerts.

When they played a free outdoor show last summer they drew about 15,000.

Barack Obama regularly fills arenas for his speeches.

He draws tens of thousands to his largest events.

But when 75,000 show to an event in Portland I'm supposed to believe that the large majority showed to see the Indie band?

You can all try as hard as you can. Repeating lies doesn't make 'em true.

[hillarysupporter]

very deceptive on Obama campaign's part., as usual. Actually, Hillary got almost twice as many
votes in Kentucky as Obama did in Oregon. But, who cares about those large states...they don't matter, do they.

[CaptainZero]

No, they don't. No democrat will carry Kentucky in November. Hillary won in a conservative state because she's perceived as the move conservative of the two available democrats in a democrat primary. Not racism, not that "whites like her best".

[LeekosAgrios]

LOL How funny that the uninformed OBAMABOTS didn't know that the Decemberists were the reason why those people were there. As soon as they were done, Obambi took the stage. LOL Kool-aid must be strong!

[theMightyT]

LOL! funny that haters ignore reality and STILL throw this crap up...

If you really think that 75,000 people came to see a band and stuck around because they didn't have anything better to do, I guess you're beyond help...

Man, November's going to be painful for you hey? Stock up on meds!

[Duros62]

Nice try. A conservative estimate is that everyone who lives in Oregon has seen the Decemberists at least twice.

[Beca]

In Philadelphia, PA he drew a crowd of over 35,000--in the middle of the city. That was a conservative estimate. I was there, it certainly looked like more than that. No bands were scheduled to play or anthying like that.
Barack Obama can draw in a crowd, he has done it in many places. He is a great orator and can really inspire a crowd.
Leekos must be a bit jealous because Hil liar y can't draw a full crowd if she paid them.

[kj11]

That is not true. I was there...arrived at 2:00 for the 2:30 scheduled appearance of Obama.

First Earl Blumenauer spoke and then Obama.

This OBAMABOT went and new nothing about the band---didn't see them anywhere. Were not advertised on the television or in the news paper.

Maybe they played before I got there...but so many people went to see him because we are against the War!!!

[snyggast]

From Facebook: Hilary's Wall.

Blake XXXX (UPenn) wrote
at 12:16pm
Several of you mentioned the 75,000 person turnout at Obama's Oregon rally. To let it be known, the Decemberists played an opening set. Free concert, highly popular (Portland) indie band...

Someone asked: So why'd they stick around for Obama? And if a no-name band can draw 3 times as many audience than the Stones or Led, I guess the world is missing something.

Another Hilary bots replied:

Lori XXXX (Atlanta, GA) wrote
at 12:23pm

"they may not be bigger, but they were FREE"

[CaptainZero]

Depends on what the meaning of the word "is" is.

[PDXer]

Yeah, looks like a real "radical" crowd only out for free music....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtN3hsITCok&eurl=http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/orhome

[reelcobra]

It's fun watching this primary wind down with the exact right Democrat to run against McCain.

_________________________________

Character is a "distraction" - Not an Issue

And don't mention our guy's:

Wife
Mentor
Middle Name
Friends
positions
Race
Inexperience

BHO '08!!

[IndependentMynd]

>"Character is a "distraction" - Not an Issue"<
Do you want to talk about Hillary's character? I'm sure it's not an issue for you.

And let's not mention your gal's:

REALITY
Husband
Gender (one can only speak about her gender if you support her, otherwise it is sexist)
Pandering
Race-baiting
Classism
Whining
Lack of dignity & grace
Magical mathematics
'35 years' of experience
Sniper fire
Attack on a 21-22 year old intern for her HUSBAND's cheating (funny how Monica was mature enough for Hillary then but now the 21-22 year olds aren't old enough to 'know better' than to vote for Obama)
'Stand by your man' quote
Bypass campaign finance reform (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/5766117.html)
etc., etc. etc.

If I, a FORMER Clinton supporter, feels this way, how do you think the Democrats who never supported her in this election feel about her. The Clinton brand has been completely trashed BY THE CLINTONS and Bill's legacy is shot to (BLEEP).

[kiga]

Gee, they "forgot" to mention that Obama hired 2 big bands and that while some people have gone to see Obama, other had gone for the free concert. It was Sunday, 80 degrees and free concert, what is there not to like about the water front? Is Karl Rove advising Obama?

[MLM424]

Did it ever occur to anyone that the bands were using Obama to get publicity and not the other way around. I highly doubt all of those people were there for two no-name bands. Isn't it possible that now that intelligent people are realizing that Obama has this nomination all but in the bag, the people of Oregon wanted to hear this amazing man speak? I don't understand why people have to be so skeptical all the time.

[snyggast]

then why'd stick around in that heat after the band played.

"Oh duh, uhmm they were stuck... too many people you see."

[theMightyT]

really? that's the best you can do?

75,000 people came to see a band nobody's heard of.

practice your lying! you need better material!

[Mirri]

When this event happened, the media "forgot" to mention there had been a free concert just before. Cute tactics from Obama camp. But the truth always comes out.

[Beca]

In Philadelphia, PA just last month Obama drew a crowd of over 35,000 in the middle of the city. No bands, no anything, just Obama, I was there. So it is very possible that in a state that voted overwhelmingly for him would turn out a crowd of 75,000 to listen to him speak. Makes perfect sense.
I know those of you who are still hanging onto Hil liar y can't imagine a crouwd like that since she can't fill a hall an eight that size if she paid them.
Fact is that Obama can draw a crowd, he has done it before, and the more people get to know him the larger the crowds he draws.

[PFHarlock]

1. I didn't know the Decemberists were going to be there (it must not have been publicized to speak of).

2. My friend and I didn't even know who the Decemberist are.

3. We had an almost straight-on view of the podium where Barack Obama ultimately spoke, but had no view of the band. We still don't even know where the band was located.

4. I thought the music we were hearing was recorded until I heard the singer say, "Thank you very much", at the end of a song. It was a little odd because the crowd wasn't applauding or cheering. They weren't there for the band, which is good, because it was obvious that very few could actually see them.

[portwes]

NOBODY knew the Decembrists were going to play! Not a mention in the media before the rally.
Thus, 75,000 people went to hear Obama, not the music.
And after the rally, the media DID mention The Decembrists played.
Quit being such bad losers, losers, and TRY to get your facts straight before spouting off . . .

[ohbahmaoh8]

I'm in Portland and went to the rally. Believe me, no one was there for the "free concert". I didn't even know the local band was playing until the morning of the rally and only one band played - it wasn't like it was a free music festival...and oh yeah, Obama will be appearing too. 75k people were there to see Obama plain and simple.

[HSimpson]

I didn't go for the concert either, there were lots of chicks there!

[PFHarlock]

There sure as hell were. It was spectacular... It really was... : )

[PDXer]

Are you McClinton's daft? Scroll down through the posts and achieve enlightenment, my child. (And you just have to be at the top of the board with your misinformation....)

For Christine's sake, go to sleep, already! )

[CubanPete]

IMPORTANT NEWS FLASH AND FACTCHECK - Free Concert by Popular Band Preceded Obama"s Big Rally
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/robert-knight/2008/05/20/free-concert-popular-band-preceded-obama-s-big-rally

[PDXer]

...And, your point is, CubanPete?...nobody denied that The Decemberists played...so what?....2 or--at most--3 songs and leaving stage at approximately 45 minutes prior to Obama's arrival?...yeah, so freaking what?...I was there....the revisionists and perpetrators on this board simply cannot wrap their narrow minds around the awesome nature of this event and are trying so hard with their small ways and twisted methods to minimize the significance of our numbers.

Imagine, CubanPete, 75,000 people coming together, unified in purpose (rather than cheering at some stupid sporting event) to express their belief and reaffirm their commitment to the ideals of this great country, that "All men are created equal"....sounds kind of quaint and outdated doesn't it? But, to many of us at the gathering Sunday May 18, 2008 in Portland, Oregon, our Constitution is simply not "just some Goddamn piece of paper", as was so awkwardly expressed by our leader. So, I ask-- who are the Patriots and who are the Posers?

Oregon is just about ready to put Obama over the top. Just watch Democracy work.
Out.