Obama Draws More Than 100,000 At Denver Rally (PHOTOS)

Barack Obama drew a crowd of over 100,000 at a rally in Denver on Sunday, the AP reports:

The Obama campaign released an initial crowd estimate of 75,000 people. That was later upgraded to "well over" 100,00 people, a tally confirmed by a Denver police spokesman.

The setting, on a sparkling day in this battleground state, said perhaps more than Obama did in his actual speech. His campaign is capitalizing on the scope of such rallies to get people to cast votes early, permitted in Colorado and more than two dozen other states.

Below are some great photos of the event, courtesy of Getty.

Comments

[alieninvader]

When and if Obama wins, the next step will be for all of us to get involved in a huge campaign of stop the hate. We never did that during the Clinton administration, and hate was allowed to take over this country. We can't make the hate go away, because it's always existed and it always will, but we can marginalize the hateful.

[cre8ive]

You are SO right. Thank you for that post.

[BoulderSue]

Ditto! (though I don't know if I can ever completely get over the Limbaughs, Savages, Malkins and Bachmanns, amongst others, of the world, but in the interest of putting "Country First", if we are so privileged to get Obama as our nex President, I will try. That is his message and I take it seriously. He is a true Chrisian-I'm sort of one of those folks who likes the Jesus parts about caring for one another, though I'm not a Christian in the usual sense. I have deep respect for concepts like that and belive that Obama believes them very deeply. Wish I could have been there.....­..!!!!!!!

[TubNkeeg]

I'm not sure marginalizing the hateful is the right approach. We have to make an argument why hatred is wrong and demonstrate that we don't hate not even haters.

[Okieborn]

WOW !!!
OBAMA / BIDEN 08 !!!!

[428ADM]

We volunteered for this and were there before dawn. The security was definitely well thought out. The way Barack was positioned was very strategic for safety; he was tucked in near government buildings. There were snipers at the top of them. It was a lot like airport security to get in except you didn't have to show ID or take your shoes off. In fact you could only have a few personal items (no water, food, blankets, signs, basically nothing that could be thrown, etc.) and all electronics had to be turned on. I seriously doubt anyone got through the secured areas without being screened.

************
It was absolutely amazing. I volunteered next to a 54-year-old black woman who went to segregated schools in Missouri. Can you even imagine how she feels seeing Barack up there?

[cre8ive]

That must've been some conversation. I hope you journal it and share it with more than just us.

[alteregoess]

Well, hey, why would you need to take off your shoes or show ID - I mean, after all Obama himself is a terrorist, so why would they worry about little old you? :^)

Does anyone else find it extremely odd that the Republicans who think Obama is a terrorist don't seem to be upset by the fact that our national security practices are so terribly ineffective that we've allowed a terrorist to infiltrate the Senate and now run for President?

[Marefur]

Now that you mention it, yes, it is odd. LOL.

[radnip]

That's great to hear. Very inspiring and reassuring. I'm so happy to see he's loved but I was wondering about his exposure, so it's great to hear security was tight.

Obama/Biden08!

[deeppeace]

These pictures are amazing and really excite me--but huge crowds do not translate into huge votes. It's critically important that everyone who's registered actually put the "X" in the Obama/Biden column. This is no time to sit back.

[TheDukester]

Funny how you'd never see coverage like this over at Fox News.... They're audience would surely be disheartened, tee hee, tee hee...

Obama / Biden -08

[tobyjack]

The security was excellent. We watched 3 secret service or Denver swat guys on the Denver County building deployed with a sniper rifle and binoculars just behind where Barack spoke. They were vigilant throughout the entire event. The only people allowed behind the barricades had to pass through metal detectors. There was not enough room inside the barricades for everyone who shoed up, so yes all those outside, covering the streets and the capitaol lawn and steps did not go through any security. There were denver cops lining the sttreets.

[tobyjack]

We got there at 8:45 and stood in line for nearly 2 hours before we got to the metal detectors. Everyone was polite and warm and caring. There was no strife of any kind. The only protestors we saw were a Catholic group protesting abortion. When we finally got ina dn moved as far forward as we could we were only about 150 feet away from the podium. We met lots of people of all races and ages and were tottaly inspired by the crowd. Then when Barack came on the crowd went wild. It was a Sunday to be remembered for the rest of my life.

I voted early and chose Obama-Biden!!!!

[Unhinged101]

I was at the Albuquerque Rally that Saturday evening where Obama drew an estimated 45,000 at 9pm. It was an awesome feeling to be a part of living history and I wish I could see him again.

[BigMike75]

I don't care how corny this sounds but I get goosebumps when I see images like this. Americans rejecting divisive politics and coming together, mobilizing for change. John McCain couldn't draw a crowd like that if he advertised for a month, it's a testament to how the Obama message is resonating with the electorate. I've been counting my chickens for about a month now, but I don't see anything other than a electoral college whitewash come next Tuesday, bank on it!

[delta queen]

brings tears to my eyes. Good still exists!

[PhiLLyinDaLLaS]

I understand your goosebumps feeling completely­....This is a historical election and will be remembered forever...­It SEEMS Obama will win but it is not guaranteed, get out and vote early if you can!! I've been saying it for months and I want it to come true....Ob­ama should win in a landslide! It makes me proud he gets gatherings like this because it gives me hope that the majority of Americans are awake and not just tools willing to believe the crap the right-wing is spreading.­...

Lastly, yesterday I had the unfortunate displeasure of watching some of Hannity's America and seeing his top 10 reasons why Obama should not be president.­..Outside of Bill O' Reilly, has one man ever been as "on the pole" as Hannity?? It's sad how one in such a prominent position, can have such shortsighted views.

My early voting is done and although it won't count for much (I live in deep red Texas), count 1 (3 if you count my mother/brother) for Obama....A­nd surprisingly in this "deep red" state, there was a fairly good amount of Obama supporters at my polling place, it gives me much confidence for the rest of the country.

[radnip]

I get teary reading all these reports. I want a rally here. Maybe I have to go across country. More pictures! and stories!

I love the diversity of his supporters and of all the people who have decided that a united America means something.

It's great to have unity in our diversity.

[BlueAsh]

I just read something that disturbed me:

Is it true that the rally got so big that security eventually stopped screening people and "just let everyone in"? It's mentioned in passing in the article linked below, but this causes concern to me (and surely others). Only eight days to go--can't they do something to ensure Obama's safety?

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_10824239

[Justlilme]

So not true. I was at the rally, and from what I understand, they only had the intention of allowing a certain amount of people into the closed off area, which was nearer Obama. If you were lucky enough to be one of those between 10,000 and 30,000 (not exactly sure on the number), then you had to go through the metal detectors and very secure security. They had to stop allowing people in after a certain point, because they wanted to keep it safe for Barack Obama, but the other 50,000 plus people could gather all around the closed off area, which was at a safe distance from where he was speaking. It's hard to see this distinction in the photos, but there is a place where the closed secure area stops and the mass of people begins. They checked me, my baby, my purse, my bag, and all my friends top to bottom and with care. I could also see security or spotter police on rooftops all around. I felt assured of security, and while nothing is perfect, there is with out a doubt secret and public security protecting Obama and McCain at their rallies and appearances. This rally was one to remember for sure!

[HistoryMakin]

I think that was a story posted about the Fort Collins rally with 45,000. I was at the Denver rally, and they screened everyone that entered the barricaded park grounds. But when I heard the police let people in without screening them in Fort Collins, I was very concerned at this negligent act. Just glad nothing happened to our next President.

Obama/Biden "08"

[KUjHwk]

The only thing that inspires me more than Barack Obama is the energy and camaraderie I feel from my fellow Americans at Obama rallies.

[gladys46]

After O is sworn in, what will take me some time to heal from is the lowly way Mc has allowed his campaign to be run! Clearly, racism and fear of fellow man/woman have been the methods resorted to! IMO, these divisive mindsets will remain having been fueled all over our country once again by a McCain campaign for POTUS!

While O has graciously and most honorably fought very hard to be the inclusive candidate and speak forcefully to the most pressing issues of our time .... he has been and continues to be labored by racism!

Hopefully, people will continue to educate & fight against racism!!!

[Crozier]

It is interesting. Some individuals old enough to remember have told me that this time is likened to when Governor Roosevelt was prone to defeat President Hoover. It is time to sing " HAPPY DAYS" sometime late on November 4.

[armstp]

WOW!!!! The country and the world is so behind Obama it is astonding.

[smltnks]

I hope that with all of the Obama is ahead, Obama will be the next President, that people don't get lax and do not get out to VOTE. Just saying Obama will win will not get the job done, everyone must VOTE!!!!!

[Mannock]

The song in my mind.

It is funny, you know...wit­h all the revolutions and changes in the world, there is marching music like The International, or even the Horst Wessel song. But the greatest change in the twentieth century was done to the tune Happy Days are Here Again. And yes, I get choked up when I hear it.

Sing along this November 4th!

http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/happydays.htm

[ozarklady]

I was just thinking about that song this morning - Barbara Streisand did a beautiful rendition of it for President Clinton.. I'd love to hear it again.. I'm working on the campaign here in central Missouri and was fortunate enough to listen in on a conference call and hear Obama himself. Quite a thrill.. We are in a dead heat here with McCain, so we're all working very hard. We live in a Republican county, but we're hoping to take the state.. GO OBAMA!!!!!!!

[katwillett]

I was there at the Denver rally on Sunday. It was packed as the pictures indicate. There was about four inches of spare space to stand in, so packed in we were. But it was a great experience. The place was full of energy and afterwords, people went to the downtown mall to have lunch and share their stories.

There were no problems in the crowd, no violence, no shouts that could be considered offensive to the McCain campaign and only about five or ten protesters.

It was truly a festive experience and a history-making event.

[MightyAfrodite]

I had the same experience at the rally in Indianapolis last week. All those people of different races, different ages, different backgrounds, and even different parties, all standing together, peaceful, hopeful, talking about issues, and cheering Barack Obama to victory .... it was amazing.

[Clavis]

Thank you both for your recounting of your experiences. It is truly inspiring to see and hear first-hand accounts of these wonderful events. Like many people, Sen. Obama is the first candidate to fill me with so much optimism and hope.

[sueno]

Thanks for the on-the ground report,
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!

[supervoter]

I got tears in my eyes reading this. Two hundred years ago Senator Obama solely by the color of his skin would have been somebody's private property. In January, he'll be (please, please, please) in the Oval Office. Maybe we're going to make it as a nation after all.

[Mannock]

You were there, a part of history. You can carry this with you for the rest of your life. Fantastic! Thank you so much for the comment!

[DKLabRat]

Um...I did of course mean "crowds of automotons" in my previous post.

Although, now that you come to mention it...I guess crows fits just as well.

[WolfI]

I actually prefer "crows"--it''s very descriptive, even if accidental.