Photos: Barack Obama speaking today to an overflow crowd in Providence, Rhode Island

[flpoljunkie]

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks during a campaign stop at the Rhode Island College Recreation Center in Providence, R.I., Saturday, March 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)


Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets supporters during a rally Saturday, March. 1, 2008, in Providence, R.I.. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)


Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., right, hugs Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., as he steps on stage to speak during a campaign stop at the Rhode Island College Recreation Center in Providence, R.I., Saturday, March 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)


Supporters of US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) attends a rally at Rhode Island College in Providence, Rhode Island, March 1, 2008. REUTERS/Jim Young


Supporters cheer for Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., during his address at a rally Saturday, March. 1, 2008, in Providence, R.I.. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)


US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) waves to supporters outside a rally at Rhode Island College in Providence, Rhode Island March 1, 2008. REUTERS/Jim Young

[Alexander]

1. The Clinton campaign may not want to "let Rhode Island decide".

Polls and crowds show their decision may not count.

[tekisui]

3. As soon as I heard Wolfson say it, I thought he'd regret it.

He should know by now, Obama closes gaps fast.

[Cha]

15. Would hilary be where she

is if wolfson and penn knew anything by now?

[grantcart]

24. thanks

my thai family is wondering if I need a doctor I am laughing so hard.

The tears won't stop.

[workinclasszero]

36. Damn! Hurry Up!! Move the freakin goalpost to Pennsylvania!!

[PassingFair]

43. LOL!! n/t

[Unsane]

2. Could Obama net an unpset victory in RI?

[Adelante]

4. Wouldn't that be sweet?

:)

[Unsane]

5. Yes, an early dagger.

Jowls 'n Flopsweat (Penn) wouldn't know how to respond.

[rainbow4321]

9. His response will be:

"Did I say Rhode Island? I meant Puerto Rico...."

[Divernan]

12. If the polls are limited to "likely voters", i.e, people who voted in the last election,

they will miss all the newly registered, mostly younger generation who are so enthused and will be voting in large numbers. I think it's possible the polls are off by enough that Obama could win Rhode Island. What ARE the latest poll numbers from that state?

Perhaps Obama's internal polls are including the younger voters and he found out it was worth a trip to the state.

ON EDIT: I found one poll from Feb. 22nds that had Clinton 52 Obama 40, 7% undecided. And it was looking at "likely voters" (not new voters). And Clinton's #s have been going down nationally since then. So factor in the margin of error, Clinton's downward trend, Obama's upward trend and throw in the enthusiastic new young voters, and Robert's your mother's brother, Obama could take Rhode Island too.

[Cha]

17. I think Obama would go to every state,

regardless.

[panader0]

6. Rec for the photos. The last one of him looks very presidential.

[RDANGELO]

7. I don't know why he would take the chance on spending time

here,unless he thinks he is winning in Texas and Ohio.

[graywarrior]

8. That would make RI less liberal than MA.

:sarcasm:

[Qutzupalotl]

10. What's he wearing on his right wrist?

Magic power bracelet, prolly.

Clinton must steal it if she ever hopes to defeat him.

[Faygo Kid]

14. That's a bracelet the Wisconsin mother of a soldier slain in Iraq gave him.

Obama wears Iraqi soldier's bracelet

By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
Sat Feb 16, 6:36 PM ET

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - Barack Obama is wearing a wristband in memory of a soldier killed in Iraq, given to him by a mother who said she wants the Democratic presidential candidate to keep others from dying.

Tracy Jopek of Merrill, Wis., gave Obama the bracelet at a rally Friday night in Green Bay, and Obama was still wearing it Saturday as he campaigned across the state before Tuesday's primary.

The bracelet has her son's name, Sgt. Ryan David Jopek, and the date the 20-year-old was killed in Iraq by a roadside bomb, Aug. 2, 2006. "All gave some — He gave all," it says.

"She gave me this wristband, which I'm very grateful for," Obama told the Green Bay audience, halting and lowering his voice from his normally upbeat presentation. "I meet mothers and family members all over the country who are still mourning their children but are also thinking about the young men and women who are still over there and wondering when it will end."

[quantass]

31. A Dead Soldier's Bracelet -- Obama is Honoring his Memory (from a hurting mother)

[Qutzupalotl]

35. That'll teach me to spout off.

Sorry for making light of it.

[KLee]

11. WOOOOOOHOOOOOO

The American People strike again!

GO OBAMA!!!!

Thank you for posting these! I love them!

RI BRING IT HOME FOR OBAMA!

[Cha]

13. That's what I'm sayin'!

The cutie next to the cutie has his little sign upside down:)

[flpoljunkie]

16. More on the size of the crowd from NBC's First Read...5,000 inside, 5,000 outside!

A statement issued by Rhode Island College said the event, with an estimated 5,000 people inside the hall and another 5,000 outside, was the state's largest political event since 1996. Back then a rally for President Bill Clinton drew a crowd of 10,000. Obama was introduced by Rep. Patrick Kennedy, who told the crowd the candidate's eloquence would be an effective tool to bring about change when he is president.

Obama is not expected to win this bright blue state where the Clintons are immensely popular. However, Clinton's lead has begun to erode in the state, and the large population of college students may help Obama due to better than expected.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/01/721065.aspx

[Cha]

19. Can't hurt that Patrick Kennedy is

introducing Obama in a State whose Motto is "Hope"!

Thanks for the pics, Florida:)

[flpoljunkie]

29. Here's another one of the same kid...

A young boy holds up a sign supporting US Democratic presidential candidate Illinois Senator Barack Obama as the candidate speaks at a rally at Rhode Island College in Providence, Rhode Island. Hillary Clinton Saturday fired off a scorching attack on Obama, warning he would wilt in a general election framed as a hawkish national security test by Republican John McCain. (AFP/GETTY IMAGES/Win McNamee)

[Vinca]

18. Do I hear a fire wall being moved? nt

[Scurrilous]

20. Kick

:kick:

[stillcool]

21. thanks for the pics...

God I love seeing these!:bounce: :bounce:

[adoraz]

22. the traffic though, was there a lot of traffic?

if not then this mean nothing.

(parody from another thread)

great for Obama though :)

[K Gardner]

34. ROFL ! I'll never forget that one !

[NJSecularist]

Look at all those latte and limousine liberals

:sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[K Gardner]

23. Add +5 pts in the polls for Barack stepping onto the tarmac.

[grantcart]

25. except in Rhode Island where everyone actually does know everybody

else - everybody in the entire state will know somebody that was in that convention hall today. Could be closer to 10

[bigbrother05]

26. Great Pics, thanks

Hey Grantcart any new numbers yet

[stop the bleeding]

27. jeebuz grantcart

that is some very sound reasoning indeed, if that is the case then they would be in a dead heat, HRC may get her wish about a 4 state sweep.

WOW:wow:

[K Gardner]

33. Yes, you do have a point there, or TEN !!

[Lena inRI]

28. I've never waited 3 1/4hrs for a political rally until. . .

. . .today for Senator Barack Obama at RI College Rec Center. Believe me, as a 60-year-old timer, I'm IMPRESSED!

I'm impressed with Obama's charismatic persona to make so many of us WANT to wait so long in damn cold rainy conditions. . .we Rhode Islanders deserve extra points for withstanding the bone-chilling weather!

I'm impressed with the complete cross-section of people who came to show their enthusiastic support for Obama, some of these people probably first-time rally-goers because Obama connected with them.

I'm impressed with the military presence from the returned Marine ahead of me in line to several paraplegics wheeling themselves along in that very long snake-line.

And most impressive was the love. . .yes. . .yes. . .unmistakable love emanating above the crowd which Obama must be embracing and then sending it right back to us. . . even to us overflow rejects . . .he talked to us first before going into the Center. . .now that's a lot of loving from Senator Obama. . .makes ya feel good inside even though your feet ARE FROZEN!

YEP. . IT'S THE EMANATING

OBAMA LOVE

THAT IMPRESSES PEOPLE. . .

I get it. . .RI gets it. . .the nation gets it. . .and he's our POTUS already in our hearts.


:loveya: :kick: :loveya: :kick: :loveya:

[flpoljunkie]

30. Thanks so much for your first hand report from the Rhode Island rally. It gives me hope for Tuesday!

[K Gardner]

32. Lena, Lena.. thank you SO much for this. I bout cried again. You should

make this an OP if you already haven't. I watched the rally and felt homesick.. spent most of 2005 in Rhode Island doing a travel nurse gig and absolutely fell in love with the state and the people. Always thought somehow I'd end up going back to stay when things at home settle down a bit. I miss it and I'm thrilled to hear the wonderful people of RI have embraced Obama. I knew you would !

Lots of love to Beautiful RI and the Christmas Tree Shops ! LOL.

:hug: :applause:

[meow mix]

37. great post! *rec

:patriot:

[Tarheel_Dem]

40. Obama Love right back at you...

from another baby boomer. Your firsthand account is awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

38. Goalposts to be moved yet again by Clinton campaign?

We shall see.

[flpoljunkie]

39. More photos from the campaign trail for March 1st

US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)(3rd R) poses for photos with police officers before boarding his campaign plane in Providence, Rhode Island, March 1, 2008. REUTERS/Jim Young


Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at a town hall meeting at Valley Forge High School in Parma Heights, Ohio, Saturday, March 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Jamie-Andrea Yanak)


Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., talks with reporters during his flight to Cleveland, Ohio Saturday, March. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)


Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks during a town hall meeting Saturday, March. 1, 2008, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)


Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks during a town hall meeting Saturday, March. 1, 2008, in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)


Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., boards his flight from Providence, R.I., following a rally Saturday, March. 1, 2008, enroute to Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

[Tarheel_Dem]

41. thanks for sharing those pics.....

you guys are awesome, especially for those of us who are technically challenged. I love DU.

[flpoljunkie]

42. Anytime, Tarheel_Dem. Thank you!