PHOTOS: Barack Obama addresses a rally in front of Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PA

[flpoljunkie]

US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) addresses a campaign rally in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania April 18, 2008. REUTERS/Bradley Bower


US presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) addresses thousands of supporters at a campaign rally in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania April 18, 2008. REUTERS/Bradley C.
Bower


Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., addresses supporters at the Independence Mall during a rally in Philadelphia, Friday, April 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., addresses supporters at the Independence Mall during a rally in Philadelphia, Friday, April 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) addresses a campaign rally in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania April 18, 2008. REUTERS/Bradley Bower

[saltpoint]

1. Looks to me like quite a few folks showed up to hear the man speak.

The only part I don't like about it is that I couldn't have been there as well.

[Ichingcarpenter]

7. Its over.... he will win Pennsylvania or be within 3%

The damage Hillary has done today to herself on her bitterness, plus him being on The Daily Show monday
will pull him over the top on within reach that it will total blow Hillary out of any chance of changing
the matrix

Great Photos.....


How you doing my friend?

[saltpoint]

14. I surely do love your prediction, Ichingcarpenter, and hope it is the shape

of things to come.

What a win that would be!

Doin' great, and I hope you are too. :hi:

[Ichingcarpenter]

29. US old folks, know it needs to end for the health of the party

I have a degree in Pol Sci, among others, and have done polling and statistics, one of the major
problems is the lack of polling done on people without land lines. I don't even have
a land line, so those people are left out. The youth, as always, are an awesome force
that is reminding me of an awakening that I haven't seen since our days. They will help
decide this thing.




I see a possible problem with touch screens they use in portions of Pennsylvania. Other than that, I will keep within my prediction, which will bring a flood of super delegates after Tuesday, that will
prevent any misconnect from the reality of math, consciousness or what is what.

[saltpoint]

34. Good insight. I'll be watching all day long on Tuesday to see where the

turnout is heavy.

I love that part of a primary day.

Go, Senator Obama!

[grantcart]

58. I agree with you but have no confidence in it.

Obama could win this by 5% or lose it by 10%. There seems to be a large undecided number or 'deciding late' group in Pennsylvania. In Texas, Ohio and New Hampshire those broke for Hillary but in Wisconsin and other states they broke for Obama.


I think they face two problems both of which help Obama. One is modeling the correct poplulation formula for the primary. How many non land line people do they factor in is one which you have indicated, how many people who have newly registered is another.

Another group however are Clinton supporters or fence sitters who will vote for Obama not as their first choice but because they think it helps the party to now end the process. Nearly 70% of democrats believe that Obama will become the nominee and there must be some percentage of Clinton supporters who, while still support their candidate, believe it is better to end it for the sake of the party. These people, if they exist, will almost certainly be underpolled.

I think we are in for a Wisconsin surprise but I am not getting my hopes up.

[Ichingcarpenter]

62. Wisconsin surprise is a nice analogy

The undecideds will make or break the deadlock, they are not the most informed
by sitting on the fence these days for what is known now.

I have older black friends in California
that voted for Hillary in the primaries because they hadn't heard of Obama and thought
he wasn't vetted like Hillary, they do now.

I know that isn't gonna be in play in Pa, but
I see other voters here coming his way big time.

So from what I've seen on trends and data

I stick by my prediction.

[SaveAmerica]

61. I just said the same thing to my son, it looks like one of those nights you'll remember the

way the air felt.

[futureliveshere]

2. Wow.. great pictures.. impressive turnout on a Friday night... Go Obama!!!

[DearAbby]

3. When was the last time you saw a crowd

like that? GOOD LORD! That is awesome.

[GetTheRightVote]

4. Very nice, oh right the photos as well, go Obama go !!!

That is our next President standing there....

[MissWaverly]

5. awesome pictures of the next president

I would print them out and see if you can get him to autograph them.

:-)

[flpoljunkie]

22. Have added a wonderful closeup of Obama, as well.

[MissWaverly]

26. funny, you should take that, I would like Richardson as VP

he's experienced in foreign policy, he's from a western state, he's latino, I think he would make a good VP pick. Also I
liked him in the debates.

[melody]

6. BEAUTIFUL pictures! Thanks for posting them!

Independence Hall is one of my favorite places in the world. It's the perfect place for an Obama rally.

You can almost hear the founding fathers exhaling with relief.

[K Gardner]

8. We're getting ready to take back America and change the world. His speech here was

absolutely mesmerizing; full of power, strength and grace.

[saltpoint]

10. You got to hear it? I'm jealous as hell.

Hiya, K Gardner. Good to see ya.

[K Gardner]

25. OC ! Merry Friday Eve before Pennsylvania ! Yeah, I heard it via the magic CNN linkup :-) He

was as inspirational as he was after New Hampshire.. which up to now was my favorite speech. But you can tell, he knows he has to "bring it". He is determined and strong, not quite as timid about telling it like it is about his opponent. Most of this was new to me.. not his regular stump speech.. and the crowd was WILD !

Its worth a watch if its still up at CNN !

We have to stop meeting like this, LOL :hi:

[saltpoint]

31. ah hell, K Gardner, I'm jealous of how you got to this early on, smack dab,

and have the interpretation at the ready. Damn, you're good.

I would LOVE to see an Obama upset in the Keystone State on Tuesday, and I'm wishing from the bottom of my cultist heart for that very outcome!

:hi:

[democracy1st]

9. K & R

thanks for the pics

[MoJoWorkin]

11. Obama website says OVER 35,000 were there!!!!!

I saw it live stream and it was a very strong speech. I know he was tired, but he definitely rose to the occasion. Powerful oratory.

---a must see when it comes out on youtube.



More pics and partial text of speech:


http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/pahome

[ej510]

16. This is what scares the Gop.

[saltpoint]

20. Agreed. They are frightened out of their wits, such as they are, to do battle

against Barack Obama.

He's going to clean their clock.

[City Lights]

37. It scares all the powers that be, including the Clintons.

America's big wigs are being put on notice.

[kid a]

17. I agree - powerful.

[Tarheel_Dem]

19. That is so unreal...and I'm so jealous. nt

:kick:

[K Gardner]

27. 35,000.. enough to storm the Bastille !

[ecstatic]

12. wow. nice! nt

[Olney Blue]

13. Beautiful! The first one is especially stunning.

[tridim]

15. The Founding Fathers would be so proud.

[malik flavors]

18. Wow, is there video of this rally?

[DontTreadOnMe]

21. TUESDAY IS COMING!

then all the Hillary supporters can pout for a few days.

[Cha]

23. When does he sleep?!

He's like the energizer candidate. Beautifully historic pics in Philly! Thanks, FLorida:)

[Bensthename]

24. I am proud to be part of his cult following..

:loveya:

[Faygo Kid]

30. Klaatu Barada Nikto ("Yes We Can")

[K Gardner]

36. I love that movie ! It scared the beejebus out of me when I was little, now I

love to watch it !

[goclark]

32. Count me in his cult ! I'm Cult and I'm Proud! K

[kid a]

28. Obama tapped into his GE voice and power-well tonight.

A MUST SEE on youtube as soon as it is up.

[K Gardner]

35. I thought so, too! It seemed like this was a different Barack.. I can't explain it, but

either he's been holding back or he's been set free :-)

Either way, damn, it was glorious ! And I knew when I saw it, come hell or Hillary or high water..

He IS the next President of the United States.

[kid a]

42. Totally - Set free, empowered and presidential.

[writes3000]

33. Is this newspaper endorsement new?

I think it's from the Wilkes-Barre area.

http://www.citizensvoice.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19498161&BRD=2259&PAG=461&dept_id=456222&rfi=6

[flpoljunkie]

40. It's dated today, so it must be new. Awesome! Thanks for posting it.

[K Gardner]

44. This is a stunning endorsement.. snippet... "even on his worst night..

Hillary Clinton, for all her claimed experience, toughness and savvy, has been unable to counter Obama with her small-bore, traditional, policy-paper approach.

Some see Clinton's ties to our region as a compelling argument in favor of her candidacy, believing that if she were to win the Oval Office, she would bestow special favors on some in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

But this is precisely the brand of parochialism and old-school politics that Obama has argued we, as a nation, must transcend. It is the same parochialism our region must finally abandon once and for all if we are truly to progress.

In choosing a nominee, local Democrats should compare Obama's reluctance to engage in negative politics and his correct assessment of the likely consequences of the Iraq invasion with Clinton's oft-stated eagerness to battle the Republicans and her politically motivated equivocations on Iraq. Obama is better suited to unify the nation and set it to the heavy task of repairing the damage the Bush administration has done to our economy, our military and our international reputation.

The people of the United States of America and Northeastern Pennsylvania need to believe that we can soar again.

Even on his worst night, Barrack Obama is a thoughtful, inspiring leader who can call us to a higher purpose. We endorse him for the Democratic nomination.

[writes3000]

57. Pretty amazing. Pennsylvania may surprise me, yet. n/t6

[MoJoWorkin]

46. Damn. Liked that endorsement. They truly get it.

[ericgtr]

38. K&R Wonderful photos

Thank you for the post.

:kick:

[futureliveshere]

39. Obama aide claims 40,000 people attended. IMPRESSIVE

Halperin assumes a bit less, but this is the LARGEST gathering the Obama campaign has seen yet.

Ahem, I though Pennsylvania was Clinton territory? :sarcasm:

[SoCalDem]

50. Hey.. Hillary & her Mom probably had a rally too..

[kid a]

53. Are you kidding? They were there cheering for OBAMA!!!

[SeattleGirl]

41. Dayam, but that man can draw a crowd!

:bounce: :bounce:

[futureliveshere]

43. He exhorted the crowd to "DECLARE INDEPENDENCE" the response shook the surrounding buildings

OK maybe not, but the roar was deafening.

[Barack_America]

45. Just got home from the rally.

Let me have a Lager, then we can discuss it.

It was huge.

It was overwhelming.

I am exhausted.

[kid a]

47. Can't wait to hear!!! Thanks in advance!

:toast:

[flpoljunkie]

49. Lucky you, Kristi! I would have loved to be there! Can't wait for your report!

[K Gardner]

52. How dare you drink a beer after being in a crowd of 40,000 ! Especially

when us netnurds and damned grassroots net activists are sitting here clamoring for a report.

OK. I'm grabbing some popcorn and beer and waiting for ya..

:popcorn: :toast:

[futureliveshere]

54. Time for a report please.. Give us some details!!!

[meow mix]

48. K&R

[BeyondGeography]

51. I'm touched

What else can I say?

K&R

[RazBerryBeret]

55. Those Photos

give me goosebumps! how awesome! I'm so anxious to see how it turns out Tuesday!!!
GoBama!!

[K Gardner]

56. MORE PICS.. daylight crowds line up... Boilermakers for Obama Balloon

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/caitlinharvey/gGCx9y

[flpoljunkie]

60. Very nice photos! Thanks for posting!

[stillcool]

74. Oy...I watched the town hall...

earlier today on my puter. Started crying twice. They had a disabled vet who asked the last question..Obama gave him the mike..and he said he didn't have a question but that he just wanted to thank Obama for running.

[Tarheel_Dem]

59. I just have to say, this looks so presidential. thanks flpoljunkie.

Ladies & Gentlemen, I give you the 44th President of the United States:

[K Gardner]

63. Tonight is a good night !

[Tarheel_Dem]

67. Indeed it is. It's been a rough week, but seeing the pics and reading

parts of his speech just lifts me right out of my funk. :hi:

[slinkerwink]

65. that reminds me so much of Martin Luther King's profile pictures.

[Tarheel_Dem]

70. Hi slinkerwink. I agree. His critics have called his posture arrogant,

and some have even said "snobbish". I just think Obama has a confidence that is awe inspiring for a lot of us, which is one of the many reasons I like him, and this is another.

[slinkerwink]

64. that last picture is my favorite since it captures the light brown of his eyes.

[Stephanie]

66. Incredible pix.

Beautiful. Thanks.

[DesEtoiles]

68. What is Barack wearing in that last picture there?

[stillcool]

71. what do you think it is?

[DesEtoiles]

73. alert Stehanapolous!

[ClayZ]

69. Great Photos!

K and R

[stillcool]

72. Thank You!!

Looks like PA is going to have one hell of a weekend!

[TragedyandHope]

75. Great pics!

[GoesTo11]

76. Why a record crowd now? Robert Reich effect.

[FrenchieCat]

77. Barack Obama effect.

[Zachstar]

78. A historic speech in my view! Thanks for the images!!

Just think everyone! Images like these will go down in history as people look at archives and look at how America changed for the better!