President's rally attracts 35,000 at Ohio State

Dispatch Politics of the Columbus Dispatch ^ | 10/18/10 | Mark Niquette

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Seeking to fire up the Democratic base and the young voters who helped put him into office in 2008, President Barack Obama urged an overflow crowd on the Ohio State University Oval last night to reject a Republican agenda "that nearly destroyed the economy."

"We need you fired up because in a little more than two weeks, you can set the direction of this state and the direction of this country for not just the next two years, but the next five years, the next 10 years, the next 20 years," Obama said to the crowd, which university police estimated at 35,000.

It's believed to be the largest Obama rally since his his inauguration.

"This is the same theory they have been peddling for years," Obama said of GOP policies on regulation, taxes, trade and other issues that he blamed for causing the recession.

"And Ohio, it is up to you to tell them we do not want what they are selling. We've been there before, and we are not going back."

Larissa Gerber and Johanna Moeckel, both 22-year-old OSU seniors who attended the rally, said they voted for Obama in 2008. They both think Obama has done a good job in office so far and "definitely" plan to vote this year.

But Ben Boeke, 30, a Grove City engineer who attended the rally with his wife and 3-year-old son, said he is leaning toward supporting Kasich in the governor's race because "nothing's really changed the last four years with Strickland."

The president also held a small fundraiser in Columbus before the OSU rally for the Democratic National Committee that was expected to raise $250,000.

[yoe]

I tried to find a picture of the Oval with the reported crowd and could not.....anyone else have some thing showing 35,000 turning out to see Obama?

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Ohio State rally

[hoosiermama]

Who played the free concert before or after? Rats always provide free concerts.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

most of those 'youts' who showed up for free music and stuff at this rally won't be showing up to vote. :)

Let's hope they're not voting...somehow...by absentee ballot.

[daisyscarlett]

I am not sure about the person on the far right. I was wondering about the mark on her forward not to mention her outfit. I was about to make a snarky remark but then noticed that her right foot is turned inwards so I concluded she must be disabled and am horrified to think that the Obamas have brought out such a not so nice side of me...i.e. making fun of the disabled.