Obama attracts 10,000 to arena in Denver, overflow of 8,000+

Obama challenges McCain, Clinton in Denver

by John McCormick

DENVER – Sen. Barack Obama appeared today in the city that will host the 2008 Democratic national convention, an event where he hopes to be the center of attention as his party's nominee.

"It looks like a Democratic convention crowd, except you don't have the funny hats yet," he said.

His campaign said the arena where he spoke at the University of Denver held nearly 10,000 people, but there about 8,000 more in overflow rooms and outside.

Obama honored the fallen candidates in the Democratic race, including John Edwards, who formally announced his departure this afternoon.

"We will come together after a long and hard fought primary campaign – and that’s a good thing," Obama said. "First of all, it's a good thing that we have such outstanding candidates. We've had class acts across the board. You think of people like Chris Dodd and Joe Biden and Dennis Kucinich and Bill Richardson and John Edwards and Hillary Clinton, an all-star cast….It's a good thing we have had this hard-fought contest because each of us has inspired the other to do better, to communicate more clearly our vision for the future. It is through campaigns that we hear directly from the American people, we set our common goals, and debate our differences. It is through campaigns that we bring new people into the process, we build new coalitions; and renew who we are and what we stand for as a party."

But Obama's speech was not completely conciliatory, as he sought to suggest that Sen. Hillary Clinton may be too closely aligned with Republican front-runner Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

"It is time for new leadership that understands that the way to win a debate with John McCain, or any Republican who is nominated, is not by nominating someone who agreed with him on voting for the war in Iraq, who agreed with him in voting to give George Bush the benefit of the doubt on Iran," Obama said. "We need to offer the American people a clear contrast on national security, and when I am the nominee of the Democratic Party, that’s exactly what I will do."

more...

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/01/obama_challenges_mccain_clinto.html#more

Great things could be accomplished.

overwhlemed as we are by our emotional devotion to the Messiah. :sarcasm:

Obama.

Were you that insulting to Dean supporters last go around?

all across the country.

You think of people like Chris Dodd and Joe Biden and Dennis Kucinich and Bill Richardson and John Edwards and Hillary Clinton, an all-star cast....It's a good thing we have had this hard-fought contest..."

did i miss Hillary dropping out, and Obama getting the nomination?

people he was still running.

He's starting to believe his own press.

whup ass, did you hear that? :eyes:

had seen the light......the light I talk about is what obama said the morning before the new hampshire vote. He told the audience that tomorrow when you go into that voting booth, there will be a light shining down on you and the heavens will open and you will have an epiphany and you will hear someone tell you, Vote for Obama.......

This man I truly believes he is messianic and his oratory is like Moses coming down the mount......

we gotcha going there, eh Ben?

:evilgrin:

(RIP, Art Carney.)

... and yet you still draw the conclusion that "he's a legend in his own mind"??

I'm sorry, but that's about the most contradictory thing I've read on DU all day.

I would be getting tired of people telling me who I will never vote for.

:wow:

My husband and I got in line at 8:00 a.m. At 10, we finally made it into the overflow room -- the old gymnasium at DU -- before the fire marshalls shut the doors. There were still thousands of people in line. There were old folks, nearly old folks (I'm 55), college-aged kids, parents with their grade school aged children and, of course, people of all colors. Obama spoke first to the thousands outside, then he came into the gymnasium to speak to us and then on to Magness Arena. John Hickenlooper, Denver's mayor, was there, as was Gary Hart and Federico Pena. There were two surprises -- Rod Smith, a wide receiver for the Denver Broncos (who has never been involved in politics until this past Saturday) and Caroline Kennedy, who introduced Barack.

After Barack introduced and thanked his campaign workers, he spoke at length about John and Elizabeth Edwards, John's work for the workers (and how John kept his campaign above the squalor) and Elizabeth's courage and inspiration to millions. He was very sincere and the crowd in both the arena and gymnasium gave John and Elizabeth a standing ovation.

like it was exciting!

I think Edwards people would be pleased to know he and Elizabeth got a standing ovation.

How thrilling for you. I also think it would be great if you could do a separate post about the heartfelt generosity the Denver crowd showed for John and Elizabeth.

Thank you for sharing your experience!!