Obama Supporters Rock Downtown Portland, Oregon

During a campaign fundraiser Saturday night in Portland, Obama said in order for Democrats to win in Novemeber it will require a unified Party and that means all of you have to be nice to Clinton supporters.

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) - Whoever said Oregonains don't know how to throw a great party had better think again.

Sunday afternoon, an estimated 75,000 people -- 60,000 inside the gates and another 15,000 outside -- some even on boats and rafts on the Willamette River -- jammed Waterfront Park in downtown Portland to hear Sen. Barack Obama speak at a rally.

“Hello Portland! Wow. Wow. Wow, this is unbelievable,” he yelled as the huge crowd chanted “Obama!” Obama told reporters when asked if he was going to declare victory on Tuesday after the Oregon vote: “We think we will have a majority of pledged delegates at that point and that’s a pretty significant mark.”

Former President Bill Clinton along with daughter Chelsea, stopped by Riverfront Park in Salem to campaign for Hillary. Gov. Ted Kulongoski introduced the duo, but the attendance was a far-cry from the support Obama received in Portland. Clinton is expected to lose the Beaver State by a double-digit margin according to most polls. During a campaign fundraiser Saturday night in Portland, Obama said in order for Democrats to win in Novemeber it will require a unified Party and that means all of you have to be nice to Clinton supporters. After the Portland rally, Obama headed east for a 6:30 PM town-hall meeting at the Pendleton Convention Center.

According to both campaign's, neither candidate will be in Oregon on Tuesday. Clinton is expected to be in Kentucky, while Obama, is scheduled to be in Iowa, the state who's caucuses first established him as a viable contender for the nomination.

As if Obama Campaign needed more momentum, The Associated Press reported on Sunday that a vote of more than 2,500 convention delegates broke 55-45 percent in Obama's favor, giving Obama 14 of Nevada's 25 pledged delegates to the National Democratic Convention in Denver this summer to Clinton's 11. Obama also added delegate pickups in Kansas and Maryland.

2,026 delegates are needed to get the Democratic nomination. Barack Obama has 1,904 to 1,717 for Clinton. That means Obama needs only 122 more delegates in the next five contests (Kentucky, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, and Montana) to become the nominee. There are 260-plus superdelegates who are yet to be claimed and are not bound by the outcome of any state's vote.

As of Thursday, 29 percent of Oregon voters statewide had turned in their ballots. In the mid-Willamette Valley, Marion County as of Saturday was at 38 percent; Polk County was at 31 percent, and Linn County was at 28 percent, both of those numbers were last reported on Thursday.

Most believe Clinton must beat Obama in Oregon on Tuesday to have any hope of keeping her campaign going.

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Henry Ruark May 22, 2008 8:59 am (Pacific time)

Dave-O et al: You are absolutely right, friend D-O. Here's another way to state that inimitable, unfailing, unavoidable reality: "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable" -- John F. Kennedy That's lesson never learned, yet, by neocon "others" and their ilk.

Dave-O May 20, 2008 8:59 am (Pacific time)

Revolutions always come around again. That's why they're called revolutions.

Henry Ruark May 20, 2008 8:08 am (Pacific time)

DMC et al: Your first and very insightful comment on this thread makes perfect blessing for all to consider, on way to Oregon polls --now seen as a sure final-indicator, if not the final-word, on choice of the best candidate for 21st Century America. Thank you and many others for thoughtful participation. We appreciate your good wishes and pledge to you Oregon's best effort for unity and full cooperation in demanded national effort, no matter who wins our endorsement here.

Former HRC supporter May 19, 2008 5:58 pm (Pacific time)

The Clintonites are caught trying to BUY superdelegates? OMG, they will stoop to nothing.

Henry Ruark May 19, 2008 5:01 pm (Pacific time)

To all: Please see mine-to-Steve as sample of what we try to do here for you. Dunno him from hole-in-wall, and Comment somewhat on the possible negative-side. BUT we answered rapidly with all possible detail, including emailer shot to K-contact not yet answered. Bsn-early days account for that contact; remembered and still responsive all years later. Might help all 4 of my sons were strong K-workers long before final disaster to President K. Hope what we had helped our Steve to realize what complex hard effort must inevitably go into all efforts for strong and equitable legislation, especially now with campaign contributions the inevitable first-interest of far too many in D.C. and every state, too.

Henry Ruark May 19, 2008 3:53 pm (Pacific time)

Dori et al: Can't speak for yours since NOT in S-N office, but chances are simple anomaly encountered sometimes in our system. I have two or three still missing, too. Sure Tim will check-again for both of us, and thank you for participating and for patience. But sure beats press failure as sometimes encountered; in Vt. had my legislative budget story sit unprinted on old press for more than half-day, after which we gave up entirely until tech flew up -- from Boston !-- for overnight fix...by which time whole thing was dead, anyhow...when Governor changed mind and made 'em back-up and do-again... We did three papers in one-paper plant, and used to say "Today's news tomorrow, if we're lucky " !

Henry Ruark May 19, 2008 3:46 pm (Pacific time)

Steve et al:
Will check "for sure", but understood at time and surveyed since that his work was to keep NCLB within some workable limits, at which he only succeeded part-way.
Also understand that he now opposes further extension without substantial change, albeit staff slow to confirm that for me, understandable in current circumstance.
In any case, NCLB is now irrevocably seen as canny step by Bush II to subvert and take over what parts of education system were then considered fair target, now no longer any possibility with coming rapid changes in D.C., demanded no matter which Demo candidate arrives.
Despite many distrusting NEA, that professional group remains strong force, and its website will keep all well informed, even with all due regard for its interests rightly and very lawfully pursued, which is more than one can say for Bush-cabal and neocon heavy-money backers intent on slicing still more from every possible education budget at every possible level from Salem City to Oregon SDeptEd and every other locale in nation.
"Corporate campaign contributions" are chief and potent weapon now so well employed universally, which is one main reason they still escape both scrutiny and any badly needed control in every state legislature, and in both houses of our Congress, once major source of both GI Bill and NDEA, on which I was fortunate enough to have some small-work.
Disclosure" It was GI Bill which then smoothed what further progress I may have made since those earlier days.

Steve M May 19, 2008 2:54 pm (Pacific time)

Henry Ruark was not Ted Kennedy a major player behind NCLB?

Joy May 19, 2008 1:35 pm (Pacific time)

One of the problems in America is that too many are concerned with race rather than rationale. How experienced was Jesus Christ at the age of twelve? Sen. Obama will provide something this country needs, HOPE, UNITY, CHANGE.

Dori May 19, 2008 2:14 pm (Pacific time)

Why were my pro Hillary post pulled? I had 2 of them posting and I never try to be disrespectful so I am confused why they were pulled. Things are getting real bad when a Floridian can't even post on a blog!!! What's going on or someone please wake me up from this nightmare!

Dori May 19, 2008 2:10 pm (Pacific time)

Please carry on the torch that is afire with hope! Support Hillary and get your ballot in. Let the people be heard and let them take control of our government, the people's government! Remember "America is a terrible thing waste by chancing our future to a junior senator. Since the middle ages we have had apprentices who then become journeymen who then rise to master. Don't you think our leaders should rise that way too?

Henry Ruark May 19, 2008 12:51 pm (Pacific time)

To all: Apologies for not ID-self on long "anon"-above; can hardly endorse without sig. I'm hankatlma with 60 working years in education and media, some 5 million published words, magazine and technical and newspaper...which should mean something. Did you ever try to sell your stuff to 50 diverse editors ?

Anonymous May 19, 2008 11:09 am (Pacific time)

To all: This striking statement, final pghs below, comes from Campaign For America's Future at: www.ourfuture.org/print/25131. I excerpt here since it so strongly drives what we ust do NOW to reunite those who now really wish to end neocon control and manipulation of our democracy-in-remnant. "Elitism is anti-American. When the colonists revolted against England, they were revolting against the idea that one person --- the King --- mattered more than the rest of them. And while we have stumbled gravely in our pursuit of egalitarianism --- from the very early mistreatment of American Indians to slavery to the examples above today --- the idea that we are all equally valuable and should be treated as such is emblazoned in the American story, our entrepreneurial independence alongside our deep moral commitment to be our brothers and sisters’ keeper. "In the America we aspire to be, everyone matters as much as everyone else. We are all equal, interdependent and interconnected. "Undocumented immigrants have every much of a right to be in the United States as I do. That I was born on one side of the border does not make me fundamentally more deserving of the opportunities of this nation than anyone else. (In fact, arguably the fact that many immigrants have been forced to flee their home countries because of the disastrous economic and foreign policies of the United States, may argue for an even stronger claim than mine; having only ever benefited from America, I should be giving back not benefiting more.) "Safia Ali, who has nowhere to which to flee, is no less deserving of food and shelter than I am, nor for that matter less deserving of a good job, a college education, or even designer clothes. And the superdelegates votes shouldn’t count more than yours or mine. "Those who are on top are not more worthy of being on top. Those who are on the bottom are not more deserving of being on the bottom. But until we really embrace the idea of inherent and equal human worth, in our hearts and our souls --- and not just among the people we know personally but for everyone, worldwide, no matter their situation --- the community values that America represents will remain a good idea on paper but warped and elusive in practice." --------- I'll endorse every word of that; how about YOU, as you look in the mirror and listen to both your heart and your consience ?

Henry Ruark May 19, 2008 10:59 am (Pacific time)

Eliz. et al: Re No Child Left Behind, haver written on that ever since it was first planned.\ What Obama voted for was a solid, strong re-build, surely better than allowing Bush grab for education-power to go any further. What's needed is destruction of Bush-manipulation, NOT possible without controlling what's being done ruthlessly via current law --thus best step is to change that law, since impossible yet to kill it entirely, coming soon, you can bet !

Henry Ruark May 19, 2008 10:30 am (Pacific time)

C-American et al: In Cuba, under Castro, crowd control not only possible but probable. NOT TRUE in U.S., even today and surely NOT in Oregon ! We STILL have First Amendment and other safeguards despite neocon manipulation for more than thirty years. Portland participants were there by personal choice, to "see with own eyes" and hear firsthand what Obama states. Your predicament in Cuba is direct consequence of U.S. meddling long ago, for which remediation long overdue, too. That's historical fact, now unchallengable and solidly on record. Sorry, Cuban friend ! Mayhap we can help set it right some of these coming days...

Henry Ruark May 19, 2008 10:26 am (Pacific time)

To all: 'Twas this statement thatwon my vote for Obama in Oregon. "See with own eyes" strong stand re Murdochization of the national media which makes the possible last-shot, final-end failure of our democracy nearly inevitable if permitted to continue: "Let's Challenge the Murdochization of Our Media" Katrina vanden Heuvel "In a speech Sunday, Barack Obama said he would pursue a vigorous antitrust policy if he becomes U.S. president and singled out the media industry as one area where government regulators would need to be watchful as consolidation increases. "His statement signals a key opening for media and democracy reformers and the movement they have spawned in this last decade--a movement The Nation has been centrally involved in ever since we launched our National-Entertainment series (complete with glossy centerfolds) in 1996. "Working with this movement, an Obama Administration could effectively challenge the destructive and concentrated attack by corporate media consolidation on the integrity of our democracy. "Obama will have smart allies among this movement, such as the media advocacy group Free Press. He will also find allies in the current Congress and in the two Democratic Commissioners on the FCC, Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein, who are committed to defending a free, independent and diverse media. "Obama's speech comes on the heels of a sweet victory: "Senator Byron Dorgan's successful push back against the Republican-dominated FCC's efforts to repeal the cross-ownership rule --which would allow media oligarchs like Murdoch to gobble up more outlets in one city. Dorgan's Senate resolution --which would work to ban a single owner from controlling a tv station and a newspaper in the same market--has 25 co-sponsors and corresponding legislation has been introduced in the the House. "Obama is tapping into the powerful and passionate view shared by millions of Americans that our current hyper-consolidated media landscape--with 90% of it controlled by some six corporations- is a disservice to a democracy which demands diverse voices and views."

Henry Ruark May 19, 2008 9:31 am (Pacific time)

To all: Historical precedent for full working cooperation after very contentious campaigns set, ironically, by Lincoln just prior to Civil War. Here's historical note for "see with own eyes", with link later to source, delayed by need to set up under new plan protecting use-of-source: "Divisive primary fights followed by a period of kissing and making up are something of a ritual in presidential campaigns. "It happened in 1860, when Abraham Lincoln brought his three challengers for the Republican nomination into his Cabinet. "One hundred years later, John F. Kennedy won the Democratic nomination and avoided an intraparty feud by picking Lyndon B. Johnson as his running mate, though in the late stages of the primaries they had been fierce rivals. "In this year's Republican race, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney became an active supporter of McCain after the two campaigned against each other with open antipathy. Romney is now thought to have an outside chance of being McCain's running mate. " ------ "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."--George Santayana

Cuban-American May 19, 2008 9:28 am (Pacific time)

Want to see a crowd in Havana similar to the ones Obama gathers? Just click here http://www.jamd.com/search?assettype=gandassetid=3396124andtext=castro+revolution+square I can't believe that all the "intelligent" and "educated" people that seem to be backing Barack Obama would use "big crowds" arguments... especially when big crowds can be easily staged.

Henry Ruark May 19, 2008 8:59 am (Pacific time)

To all: Unvarying habit to check national sources on any Oregon story --this one re Obama record crowd in Oregon neatly confirmed via NTTimes high-lead headline and photo echoing what CNN showed for "see with own eyes", and my camera-toting son confirmed. SO see NYTimes sensible statement by longtime Demo leader Robert Strauss, stressing absolute demand now for solid-group unity to put away "peacefully" the longtime neocon defilement of what the Founders gave us. If we do not do that job "peacefully", NOW, look for revolt not only in cities but rural-based by total power in hands of very large deprived middle-class/and/less, now fighting desperately again for the very basics of American family life, our longtime and only remaining strength as the 21st Century rolls right along now. Time to cut the s...of old-hat political-party internal dissension, now so clearly threatening any possible remediation for our democracy, and get at painful rest-of-job to kick the b.......(read "bums" !) out of their purloined power while the rest of us return to the Founders' principles for true and honest democratic design and detail, once again! No matter which candidate takes Presidential-run/role, that remains inexorable, inescapable, absolutely now-demanded role for any and all true Americans.

Elizabeth May 19, 2008 8:51 am (Pacific time)

"No Child Left Behind" has allowed our nation's children to slip in academic ability. It rewards school districts for high test scores, but those tests are constantly being made easier so scores stay up and the districts don't lose money. The end result? Our children lack in the global academic playing field. Obama voted to keep this sham of a program going. Hillary voted to do away with it and work toward bringing our children back into global academic competitiveness. Go Hillary!

GCH May 19, 2008 8:13 am (Pacific time)

You guys are pathetic...

Henry Ruark May 19, 2008 8:06 am (Pacific time)

To all: Flat-out/fact: AP, known for accuracy, estimates Portland crowd at 75,000 for Obama --and NO BOOS or "incidents". Re Cuban, other manipulator efforts re crowd, did you ever try to get even 7 hardheaded Oregonians together, when they did not WANT to so-join ? NObody has that power out here; crowd was there by choice, will reflect presence Tuesday. Re rest of political bushwa being peddled here, outofstate c-baggers abound on other open national channels, too, some paid, some possibly merely "misinformed and minus common sense" as most pundits now insist;some few simply malign. Few with true sensibilities keep open, honest, democratic channel --this one !!-- great reflection of what and why America fell so far, so fast from once-proud and extremely well-earned world leader position, via "abject apathy" demonstrated far too long by most-of-same/here. That's where-and-why for the two-Bush cabal we've suffered since Reagan's "morning in America !" malarkey began our neo-con/driven desperate descent. Welcome to the 21st Century from Oregon --watch us lead in many areas in coming decades, and come join us in beautiful state with enlightened people who love America, and freedom, and democracy dearly, and will act practically to guarantee our democracy is recaptured and preserved. "New show starts Tuesday" as they say in show-biz ads !!

andersen May 19, 2008 7:57 am (Pacific time)

Did Mr. Obama tell you he voted for the Bush/Cheney energy bill which would put liquified natural gas facilities along the Oregon coastline? I bet he didn't. Check your facts people. Senator Clinton voted against that bill. She knows and understands the issues facing Oregonians, and she has the solutions. Check her website: www.hillaryclinton.com. Vote the smart choice. Vote for the one who can beat John McCain in November.

Maxwell May 19, 2008 7:45 am (Pacific time)

Actually, Hillary can win. She will likely win the popular vote, and the delegates can switch up until the convention. When Obama's past comes out and becomes a liability for his delegates things may very well shift entirely in Hillary's direction. No matter how much Obama has spent courting the delegates they will not risk their political careers to back a visibly flawed candidate.

Reality May 19, 2008 6:57 am (Pacific time)

Castro, really? Not a very constructive comment, or taken for real. Here is the reality check. Hillary can't win at this point, it's over. This isn' a game you play until the bitter end, that would be the real election. This is just a try out at a practice scrimmage, and we know who the quarter back is going to be. All this hard play now can only recude the odds of a democrat gettig in and making as many changes as we can get done. Suck it up , support your team, or be McCain's (Bush III)'s best freind. Sorry your person didn't win, I want Dennis and then Edwards, time to suck it up and beat the neo-Cons, if that is what you want to do.

Arthur May 19, 2008 4:31 am (Pacific time)

Some of the comments here sound a bit desperate. This year there is a real opportunity to vote for a younger candidate who is not heavily invested in "us vs. them" politics. We need to start working together and talking together to sort out some of our country's very real problems, not compare a political opponent to Fidel Castro. Please, be serious. You don't like the price of oil? A lot of the reason gasoline is so costly is because the value of the dollar has collapsed. Did you agree that our government should borrow so much that the dollar would become weaker? No one asked me, but if they had, I would not have agreed. The Bush administration is acting like a drunk driver. Time for a change, a big change, not a second act or another family dynasty. Sequels are never as good as the original.

JodiB May 19, 2008 3:30 am (Pacific time)

I found out that there was a concert and many other things going on in the park. What a crock of pot? Marketing, marketing, marketing.

Lisa May 19, 2008 1:39 am (Pacific time)

Yet another staged event to make people think everyone else is voting for him. Do not buy into the hype. You know the warning when it comes to false gods. This guy won't even debate a woman because he loses when he does.

Cuban-American May 18, 2008 11:25 pm (Pacific time)

If you want to see Castro's 'spectacular' crowds, do an image search in Google for "Castro revolution square", those were the typical Castro's crowds. The art of giving good speeches is not what turns a bad economy around.

BLK May 18, 2008 10:49 pm (Pacific time)

The best and most qualified candidate to turn this country around should be the winner. No American should be intimidated or threatend being disenfranchised of one group over another if their candidate is not selected. This is about all Americans - poor old white women, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, blue collar workers, young, old, white males, young elitist, rich, poor, middle class. The candidate who will serve all Americans, the candidate who has walked thw walk and talked the talk (heard the call from JFK, registered voters for MLK), the candidate with the knowledge and ability to make change. That person is Hillary Clinton

Cuban-American May 18, 2008 10:47 pm (Pacific time)

Castro had those big crowds too, they were experts in arranging for them.

Hank May 18, 2008 10:09 pm (Pacific time)

Anyone can have the masses believe them (at least for awhile) with the right PR and cover up people. Look at Milli Vanilli.

JodiB May 18, 2008 9:41 pm (Pacific time)

The Senator has proven that Axelrod had the tools to massively use his expertise as a Communications and PR person to gather people. It shows what you can do with $40 Million, backing by High Times Magazine, and maybe even NORML .

Anonymous May 18, 2008 9:08 pm (Pacific time)

Senator Obama has proven that he has the tools needed to run this country. The nay sayers are wrong. He is not a demagog. He is a man on a mission. I can hardly wait to have him prove his genius. M. G, North Carolina

Kyle May 18, 2008 9:06 pm (Pacific time)

How many supporters did Obama bus in this time? He does this to inflate his numbers at the "major events."

Tim McFarland May 18, 2008 8:40 pm (Pacific time)

KOIN had good video of this. See it here: http://www.koin.com/content/mediacenter/default.aspx?videoid=7537@koin.dayport.com

DMC May 18, 2008 8:26 pm (Pacific time)

For those who profess to cherish the principles and ideas that American patriots have risked their lives and fortunes to secure, politics of personal destruction are not good for this country, politically or economically. Peace in Oregon and Across America

Henry May 18, 2008 8:01 pm (Pacific time)

WILL THE REZKO CASE BE CONCLUDED BY 2012? WHEN WILL THIS BREAKOUT? AT THE CONVENTION IN DENVER? . . . . DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN? THE NOVEMBER ELECTION?, OR THE JANUARY INAUGURATION? Take a listen to this bilingual audio from LaKalle Miami radio . . . . . . You be the judge as to the credibility on the tone of voice of the subject being interviewed! http://www.enriqueyjoe.com/LARRY_SINCLAIR_.shtml LARRY SINCLAIR ON EandJ SHOW (STRONG LANGUAGE) LISTEN TO AUDIO

DMC May 18, 2008 8:01 pm (Pacific time)

Considering that America represents a Beacon Light of Hope for people around the world, it is unfortunate that race, gender, and religion have tarnished this historic moment in American history. Nevertheless this historic race between Senator Clinton and Senator Obama has revealed that the consciousness of America is evolving somewhat; that the rights of all American citizens are respected; that the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness is truly possible for all. Best Wishes for a Successful Election Process in Oregon

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Obama Supporters Rock Downtown Portland, Oregon

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