Obama fires up JJ warm-up crowd

by John McCormick

DES MOINES – Sen. Barack Obama just gave a fired-up appearance during a warm-up show, before he led a march of several thousand supporters into the Jefferson Jackson dinner.

"I've been instructed not to give a long speech," said Obama, wearing a white shirt with his sleeves rolled up. "I've got to save my delicate voice for the JJ dinner, plus I don't want to use up all my good lines."

The Illinois Democrat previewed some of the themes he will use later this evening, including the American dream and how individuals can make a difference.

"Your voice can change the world. Your voice can change health care. Your voice can change education. Your voice can change America," he said.

Before Obama's appearance, Tommy Vietor, his Iowa press secretary, told reporters the campaign expected 3,000 of their supporters to attend the event. If true, that would represent about a third of the total expected audience.

"We see JJ as a show of organizational muscle as well as a time to deliver a message," Vietor said.

Vietor said the campaign placed 11,000 signs around the arena and had supporters from all of Iowa's 99 counties.

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