Slog - Comments on Obama's Crowd http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd Is this a crowd of 50,000? I can't tell. To the left of that stage, there's another group of several thousand, and in the river, dozens of boats are bobbing near the shoreline. We're awaiting Obama.... Copyright 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 14:18:03 -0800 Mon, 19 May 2008 12:17:52 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Cato the Younger Younger This is the rally he removes his mask and reveals that he is really a Klingon Operative hiding on earth to sabotage the future existence of the United Federation of Planets.

I'd watch....

]]> Cato the Younger Younger http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027286 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027286 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 14:26:24 -0800 Comment by Fnarf Maybe. If I had to guess I'd say half that, but I'm far from expert -- I could be off by 200% either way. 50k is about what Safeco holds, does it look like that?

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027287 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027287 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 14:30:02 -0800 Comment by Inquiring minds want to know Why was josh feit fired?

]]> Inquiring minds want to know http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027289 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027289 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 14:44:49 -0800 Comment by Amy J. Ruiz John Kerry drew 50k to this location during his campaign. A few people who were at that event tell me this looks awfully close to the size of that crowd.

]]> Amy J. Ruiz http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027293 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027293 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 15:09:32 -0800 Comment by anonymus Let's makes sure there are no party poopers in the allies denziening down the secret corridors hackers and slackers partying for a progressive future.

]]> anonymus http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027297 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027297 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 15:48:30 -0800 Comment by sam 75,000 as per the Obama camp and MSNBC.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/05/18/1036703.aspx

]]> sam http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027298 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027298 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 15:55:19 -0800 Comment by Mike in Iowa But he can't get white voters to support him. It's only the African American populace in Oregon, South Dakota and Montana that are turning out to support him.
Wait, check that. But he can't get racist white voters to support him. It's only the non-racist white population in Oregon, South Dakota and Montana that are turning out to support him. He'll never carry the racist white voters in Appalacia. Never, never, never. So Hillary must be our nominee. Because they will vote for her, at least in the primary, before they vote Republican in the general rather than voting for a woman. Can't you all see that. The folks at Talk Left can. http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/5/18/162629/430

]]> Mike in Iowa http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027300 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027300 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 16:03:51 -0800 Comment by Sirkowski Obama is not a Klingon.
He's a Skrull.

]]> Sirkowski http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027303 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027303 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 16:38:28 -0800 Comment by Fitz Per Portland's Battalian Chief (PDX Fire & Rescue), the crowd was 75,000.

http://thepage.time.com/

]]> Fitz http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027305 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027305 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 16:53:22 -0800 Comment by Jubilation T. Cornball According to Truth in Democratic Spin, the crowd was actually, 12,357,000 and more are on the way...

]]> Jubilation T. Cornball http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027307 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027307 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 17:23:16 -0800 Comment by Jubilation T. Cornball @3 -- Josh Feit was fired because Christopher Frizzelle's Enormous Whozeewhatsit said so!!!

]]> Jubilation T. Cornball http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027308 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027308 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 17:24:25 -0800 Comment by apostrophe o ABC News confirms 75,000

]]> apostrophe o http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027309 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027309 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 17:38:25 -0800 Comment by kinaidos I'm not sure, but I think I see the chimes of freedom flashing.

]]> kinaidos http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027316 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027316 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 19:04:56 -0800 Comment by Jubilation T. Cornball Do chimes flash or ring forth?

]]> Jubilation T. Cornball http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027318 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027318 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 19:10:16 -0800 Comment by elenchos Boats? Dozens of them? If Obama controls a large enough navy now, then we've finally overtaken the Scientologists in all things.

]]> elenchos http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027320 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027320 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 19:16:29 -0800 Comment by kinaidos @14 for the underdog soldiers of the night at least, they flash, quoth Mr. Dylan, circa 1964, and again, sadly, during Clinton's inauguration.

]]> kinaidos http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027321 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027321 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 19:36:00 -0800 Comment by PC/Machiavelli 1. It's Appalchia not Appalacia.

Da da da daaaa da

get u sum book larnin' brudda or you jest might be one a dose dam rednex ....

2. 47% of the Democratic voters voted for HRC. Seems a bit frantic to claim they are all racist. Face it: like all candidates, Obama doesn't get every demographic group. Don't get hysterical about it.

3. He has a great base: AAs; youth; antiwar motivated voters; college educated; rich Democrats.

The idea is to expand this group to include others such as

Latinos,

working class whites (I affectionately call 'em Archie Bunkers and Dogpatchers; good article on Bob Casey Democrats today in one of the papers....)

Catholics...

It's 47% of the Democratic party we are talking about who didn't vote for Obama. Better to bring them inside tent then to call them names perhaps??? Hmmmm? You do want them to vote for Obama don't you?

Of course some are racist just as some Obama supporters are sexist, blah blah lbah.

4. Meanwhile on the VP thing: great article in NYT about what woman will it be if not HRC. But they fail to mention Gregoire. Boo hoo the national media does nto recognize us out here in the PNW.

5. A small item: the what to do about Bill issue if HRC VP. solution: make him Senator from NY. That would really beef up Obama's power. First, HRC in the VP slot harnesses her to him; if she is left in the Senate the imperatives surrounding her force her to have to change, alter and put her stamp on anything he does, not just be a good soldier. So if she is VP and Bill is in Senate, Bill is more or less seen as an extension of her; so this gives Obama control over both her as VP and him as senator. (Because he can "fire" her" by not asking her to run again for his second term, duh).


The electoral math is a plus but it is also a policy plus. Obama does actually have to get things passed -- leaving a major faction of the Democratic party outside his tent means he won't be as able to get things done.

]]> PC/Machiavelli http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027322 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027322 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 19:36:29 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle Hillary would say it's 10 people.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027333 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027333 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 20:53:18 -0800 Comment by Fnarf 1. It's Appalchia not Appalacia. No. No, it's not. Either one.
"Make him Senator" is good though. You'd kill 'em in Vegas.]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027334 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027334 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 20:54:02 -0800 Comment by Andy Niable Has anyone asked Bill if Jesse Jackson attracted 75K in Oregon?

]]> Andy Niable http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027335 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027335 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 20:55:46 -0800 Comment by jackseattle
@ 17 - and everyone describing the power of HRC - PLEASE do not use the word "harness" in the same sentence as "Hillary" or any other politician. The image of the former 1st lady trussed up in leather is somewhat of a turn-off/buzkill. However, feel free to ignore this request when any really hot person is running for office!

]]> jackseattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027337 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027337 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 21:00:39 -0800 Comment by stinkbug
I don't think it's that odd that he was able to pull 75K (mostly) Oregonians on a very sunny and nice Sunday afternoon. Nice to see, yes, but nothing super crazy.

The main thing that impresses me is the logistics of the whole thing. Hillary never tried to hold super large rallies (or did she?) so I can't directly compare the two campaigns, but it just seems like the BO people are able to better put on big events. Whether or not this translates to selecting the right people to run this country, I don't know.

And a photo of 75K people in Portland will do little to convince WV/KY people that elite BO isn't a secret crazy muslim who is gonna give all blacks free cars.

]]> stinkbug http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027341 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027341 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 21:23:39 -0800 Comment by superyeadon and he's gonna put the rednecks into camps. thank gawd.

]]> superyeadon http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027345 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027345 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 21:39:52 -0800 Comment by It's Mark Mitchell I've been to redneck camp, and it's no picnic.

]]> It's Mark Mitchell http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027349 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027349 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 21:50:22 -0800 Comment by PC 19
A. u r correct thanks Appalachia it is.

B. Seriously u want your potential rival inside the tent pissing out, not outside pissing in. Ex: JFK and LBJ; Abe L. and cabinet of rivals.

]]> PC http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027351 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027351 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 22:03:03 -0800 Comment by Jubilation T. Cornball Recent reports now put the crowd at 248,355,500 and growing.

]]> Jubilation T. Cornball http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027353 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027353 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 22:49:39 -0800 Comment by UnCommon Sense 22

75,000 no surprise? For a Zeppelin show or a hippie festival, maybe! But a politician? That's pretty huge!

]]> UnCommon Sense http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027354 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027354 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 22:53:47 -0800 Comment by McFly, Hello! (knock, knock, knock) Hey Dummy at 3 - you ever pay attention to anything?

]]> McFly, Hello! (knock, knock, knock) http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027357 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027357 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 23:05:11 -0800 Comment by stinkbug ha, I noticed that this is the top story on Drudge at the moment ("OBAMA MASS") - it links to the washingtonpost blog site:

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/05/18/record_obama_crowd_the_size_of.html

and so now there's a million comments there, many of them quite funny in their attempt to bash Oregonians. Hitler is mentioned over 100 times.

]]> stinkbug http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027363 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027363 2008 Sun, 18 May 2008 23:31:53 -0800 Comment by Dougsf That's probably close to what 50,000 looks like. It's really hard to judge though, since every time someone organizes a successful outdoor event, promoters end up saying there was a millions people there.

]]> Dougsf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027598 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/obamas_crowd#c1027598 2008 Mon, 19 May 2008 12:17:52 -0800