Obama in a sea of people - creative editing from the folks at AP.

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.[/quote]

End notes on the 2004 Kerry rally in Portland. (Looks just like the Obama concert that drew "75,000" doesn't it?)

The Oregonian reported 12,000 as the crowd size, while others said 40,000.

Jon Bon Jovi (who 'opened' for Kerry) should know better than any how big a crowd is.

His speech:

Portland Rally 8/13/04
Jon's Speech:
Alexander Hamilton said, "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything." So, today I make a stand here in Oregon. Today, you have made a stand in Oregon. The country knows that 30,000 people on a Friday afternoon, who could and should be at work right now, are here to support of who we hope will be our next president.
It is in fact time for a change in our country--we know that. How can we build fire houses in Iraq when they're closing fire fighters houses here in the states (pointing to the fire fighters in yellow) These brave men and women put their lives on the line for you. They run in without a moments notice to protect us, to take care of us, as do our policemen, as do our soldiers.
I believe in this country. I've traveled the world and I've worn the flag on my back with pride. I'm saddened now when I travel the world and the world looks at me and says, "What happened to your America?" I tell them that I still have faith in my America. My America is strong. I believe my America still has dreams. And I refuse to be afraid to speak out as an American. And I will in fact fight for everybody's right to speak out because that's what our forefathers fought for. And in the optimism that I have in my belly when I look at my children, when I look at your children that come and see me perform, I believe in the future of America with John Kerry.
Thank you for allowing me to be here, allowing Mr. Richie Sambora to be here

Bottom line: Free beer & Rock stars can draw a good crowd anywhere. Democratic candidates by themselves don't (see the NC auditorium photos). And either with or without 'help' from movie & rock stars, the press will give them a pass.

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