Obama Draws Record Crowd in Oregon

By Larry Rohter
Obama OregonBarack Obama embraced his daughters and his wife Sunday during a campaign event in Portland, Ore., which drew about 75,000 people. (Photo: Greg Wahl-Stephens/Associated Press)

An estimated 75,000 gathered on the banks of the Willamette River in Portland on Sunday to see Barack Obama.

“Wow! Wow! Wow!” were his first words, as he surveyed the multitude, which included people in kayaks and small pleasure craft on the river.

Obama EventTom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland on Sunday. (Photo: Chris Carlson/Associated Press)

It is “fair to say this is the most spectacular setting for the most spectacular crowd” of his campaign, he told the crowd.

Previously, the campaign’s biggest crowd was when the candidate spoke to 35,000 on Independence Mall in Philadelphia.

Obama in Oregon Obama supporters in Portland on Sunday. (Photo: Chris Carlson/Associated Press)

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suzanne F. May 18, 2008 · 8:27 pm

WOW! WOW! WOW! God bless Oregon! God Bless America! God bless President Obama!

chamay0 May 18, 2008 · 8:29 pm

That is unbelievable!!! Is ths man hot or what. I don’t care what the nay sayers say, this man is destined to be great.

Kris May 18, 2008 · 8:37 pm

No matter what you think of him, you have got to give it to him for getting people out there and getting them involved in the process.

An inspirational leader, intellect, and decent human being!

john gurley May 18, 2008 · 8:40 pm

More people than McCain has drawn this whole campaign.

Our Only Hope May 18, 2008 · 8:40 pm

Wow, is right.

Go Sen. Obama!

Of course, that is but a small representation of the millions backing him.

Vote for Obama!

Rocky May 18, 2008 · 8:41 pm

Let the game begin!

Jason May 18, 2008 · 8:45 pm

WOW…that’s A LOT of people! Quite impressive President Obama.

southernoregon May 18, 2008 · 8:45 pm

awesome photos! Wish I could have been there. Thank you NYT!!

Denise May 18, 2008 · 8:47 pm

This is so Beautiful.

There is nothing else you can say but

“BEAUTIFUL”

heerlesbaad May 18, 2008 · 8:48 pm

In a kind of modern day secular version of the adulation of Jesus, who was born through the miracle of the virgin birth, we now have Obama, who has achieved the political equivalent to the virgin birth, going from the least experienced person in the Senate (with no other national experience) to the presidential savior of America.

This is truly a miracle that a man with virtually no international foreign relations experience, no major national legislative achievements, no executive experience in his lifetime, has now achieved the mantle of the man ready to take on the the top job, the toughest job, the most critical to our survival and possibly world survival job, president of the United States and Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful military in the world.

The other miracle is how he has been able to convince seemingly intelligent people to believe on faith and hope and support this virgin national leader.

Let us all chant in unison, Obama, Obama, your time has a comma or is it coma?

s May 18, 2008 · 8:49 pm

Hopefully once the nomination wraps up, the Obama campaign will be unimpeded to have large rallies like this across the country, like in February, and the Democratic party will ride on that wave to the White House.

Robert Blanchard North Smithfield, RI May 18, 2008 · 8:49 pm

75,000 people do not attend political rallies unless something truly magical is happening.

Our great country will soon close the book on “government by division”, and embrace “government by inclusion”

This is what it must have felt like in 1932 just before the election of one of our greatest Presidents, FDR.

Susan D May 18, 2008 · 8:50 pm

Way to go Oregon!

Way to go Obama!

Larry Bachmann May 18, 2008 · 8:52 pm

…And tomorrow Senator Clinton’s campaign will claim if you count all of her supporters who wanted to come but couldn’t leave their third job she is really ahead and drawing bigger crowds.

Sarah May 18, 2008 · 8:52 pm

I’m so proud of my beautiful city.

Mary Carmela, PA May 18, 2008 · 8:53 pm

That photo is breathtaking. Barack Obama will be our next president and he will lead us all into reversing the declines we have been in. I can’t wait for next January 20. It is so thrilling to think of having a President who is immensely intelligent, is well and widely read, understands history, and cares about all of us.

Doug M May 18, 2008 · 8:53 pm

Obama will win in November because his campaign is about us more than it is about him. That’s why he generates such unprecedented enthusiasm exemplified by this crowd of 75,000 or more.

He also happens to have a demeanor, temperament, intellect, vision and world view that is head and shoulders above McCain.

Will May 18, 2008 · 8:54 pm

change is in the air.

Grannieannie TN May 18, 2008 · 8:55 pm

What amazes me is the organizational and leadership skills that puts this all together. This man is exceptional in engaging citizens of the country in making choices. I hope he becomes POTUS and is given the chance to try to move us in a different direction.

RMK May 18, 2008 · 8:55 pm

I am reminded of the crowds which received Eisenhower, the second world war hero, when he toured the world as US President.

That crowd was an expression of hope from the world’s greatest democracy.

This crowd is indeed an expression of hope for 21st century America.

From Hyderabad, India

anghiari May 18, 2008 · 8:56 pm

Methinks, there are some white Americans, older white Americans and some hard working white Americans who don’t seem to have a problem with Senator Obama… That is exactly what makes America GREAT! Bravo Portland!

Bravo Obama ’08

EA May 18, 2008 · 8:58 pm

That is an amazing photo! I hope we all can have a better future and people’s hopes are fulfilled by this election, but there is an awful lot of work to do. I think Mr. Obama would agree with that, he has a huge task ahead of him if he is elected, let’s pray for democrats to come together and end the war so we can all begin our work at home. Thank you.

jmz4 May 18, 2008 · 8:58 pm

That is the whitest crowd I have ever seen…but I suppose they’re not the hardworking sort.