WP: Barack Obama, Drawing the Big Crowds (For those of you who think Obama has lost his mojo...)

[Colobo]

MILFORD, N.H., Sept. 3 -- As Sen. Barack Obama led a rowdy mob down the street here during a Labor Day parade, an organizer wearing a Mitt Romney pin stood on the sidewalk and stared in astonishment.

"It's going to be tough to beat that guy," he said, shaking his head, to another man with a Romney sign.

Or will it?

Obama (D-Ill.) has not picked up measurable steam in the national polls since he announced his candidacy more than six months ago. His most obvious strength has been seen in the money he has raised and in the jaw-dropping sizes of the crowds he draws -- a sign of what his campaign says is its solid ground organization.

<...>

If the Milford parade several hours later was a snapshot of how Obama is faring, it bodes well. He drew by far the loudest and most boisterous group of supporters, who became so enthusiastic about marching that they started down the road ahead of schedule -- and were then banished by organizers to the back of the parade line. (The second-largest group was an orderly bunch of Romney backers, followed by a loud cadre carrying signs for Sen. Christopher J. Dodd -- though Dodd's group included many members of his family.)

More at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/03/AR2007090301228.html?hpid=topnews



The Obama crowd, with drums and brass instruments, yelled out: "Obama-oh-eight. Be a part of something great!"

At the front of his group, seven supporters -- each carrying oversized letters spelling his name, and the numbers 0 and 8 -- walked in formation and cheered. The woman carrying the letter "M" -- Gabrielle Grossman, 29, of Exeter -- said she had been an ardent Bill Clinton backer in the 1990s but could not support his wife.

"I love Bill Clinton," said Grossman, who wore an "ObamaMAMA" T-shirt. "But they are the old politics, and Hillary is a symbol of the old Washington." Grossman, who has a 2-year-old son, was one of a handful of supporters selected to have dinner with Obama on Monday night. Between that and walking with him in the parade, she said, it was one of the best days of her life.

[Jim Sagle]

1. .

:boring:

[Colobo]

2. Root for your candidate. I will root for mine. By the way, Edwards is my 2nd choice.

[Jim Sagle]

12. And Obama's mine.

It's just that I like to puncture inevitability balloons any time they're floated.

[snowbear]

17. LOL... that sounds so funny!

Puncturing "inevitability balloons" ..

You are too funny Jim!!

[Mind_your_head]

3. Agree.....

Obama & the 'hill' need to "lay down"....and let the BEST CANDIDATES FOR THIS NATION shine forth!!!!!

"They" do want the best for their nation (over their own self-interests, don't they?)

[Colobo]

4. Obama is our best candidate, with Edwards in a close second.

They are both shinning.

[Mind_your_head]

6. I'm voting for Kucinich.......all the while hoping Gore will throw his hat

in the ring.

That would be (good) change, baby!!!!!

[Superman Returns]

16. question,

Is that the new Edwards campaign logo?

[TwilightGardener]

5. I never once thought he lost his mojo. I'd like to see him start catching

up poll-wise, but he's still got the buzz and the crowds. He's doing fine.

[Colobo]

7. I know... but there are some on the other camps who want to believe otherwise

We gotta remind them the O-Train is going nowhere but to Washington! :)

[Mind_your_head]

9. It's late....what does "O-train" mean? n/t

[Colobo]

10. Obama Train :)

[Mind_your_head]

14. Yeah, I figured that out after I posted the question.........

It's a trick 'kids'......Obama wouldn't give a flyin' f*ck about all of you....unless he promised he could "keep you under control/hopeful" for a while longer. White people are still afraid of 'the blacks' b/c ????? They're still afraid.

[ariesgem]

8. I agree. He's doing great!

This is only the beginning.

GOBAMA!

[illinoisprogressive]

11. Republicans know Obama is our toughest and strongest candidate.

[Colobo]

15. I would pay to see the face of those Romney supporters...

:hi: Gobama!

[TeamJordan23]

13. The people of Iowa, NH, and SC will realize that Obama is the answer by January

And the rest of the country will shortly after follow them.

[JNelson6563]

18. I can't help but be reminded

of the whole Dean phenomenon of 04 when I see the Obama thing right now. The excitement and all. I know, I was in it up to my neck. I fear greatly for the Obama supporters, that you all might feel the same heartbreak we Dean supporters experienced in the end.

Mind you I am not in any camp, I can't imagine ever jumping heart and soul into a primary race again after that heartbreak!

I hope my fears on this are never realized and that your guy doesn't come away with a knife in his back as Dean did in 04.

Julie--peeking through fingers at the primary race

[presspeal]

19. Come on Julie...

You know the quote "what doesn't kill me..
I mean look at me-I'm rooting for Dennis!:dem:

[JNelson6563]

20. I know, I know

and of course now Dean's the boss-man of the whole stinkin' party (not that the party deserves him but that's another post) but still...

I can't help but wince a bit in anticipation of what the Obama supporters might be in for....

If my fears on their behalf are realized they will have the most understanding and supportive of friends in me and I suspect many other Dean supporters.

:toast:

Julie

[SaveElmer]

21. So did Walter Mondale...nt

[Colobo]

23. But Obama will be our next president, that's the difference.

[DeepModem Mom]

22. K&R