PHOTOS: Obama Rocks Seattle Event

[MadBadger]

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/feb/08/obama-rocks-seattle-event-in-caucus-preceed/

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SEATTLE

For a Bainbridge Island foursome traveling Thursday to take in the Barack Obama experience, their support was staked on what the candidate will inspire them to do as much as what he could do as president himself.

"Facing the day with an optimistic outlook is an important attitude change," said Cindy Ford, who took the Bainbridge ferry with her husband John and friends Jon and Sue Cretarolo. "He gives us a sense of optimism."

Many on the 8:45 a.m. boat had their Obama gear ready, from buttons to T-shirts to copies of the Illinois senator's books. Just hours later they joined a boisterous crowd in KeyArena chanting, waving signs and even dancing to rock music blaring overhead as they waited Obama's entrance to a U2 song around 12:30 p.m.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, Obama's rival for the Democratic nomination, drew about 5,000 people to a Thursday night stop that left some turned away. Obama seemed to have no trouble filling the 18,000-seat Key Arena as well as the venue floor, and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels told the audience another 3,000 were turned away.

Obama measured up to the islanders' ideals, saying he went into the run for the presidency because he believed Americans would work together for change.

"Basically, Seattle, I was betting on you," he said. "I believe change happens not from the top down, but from the bottom up."

He said that Americans were decent and generous and would accept the challenge to be better.

"That was the bet I was making one year ago," he said. "I am here to report the bet has been paid off an my faith in the American people has been vindicated."

He spoke of improving education and rolling back tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Obama said he'd negotiate with drug companies to get lower drug prices and premiums for Americans and health care that focuses on prevention.

"We're going to have a health care system, not a disease care system," he said.

He said he'd end in the war in 2009.

In the midst of talking about how he'd talk with America's enemies, Obama noticed a woman standing toward the front who was struggling. He stopped his speech and asked for a chair, for someone to help the woman. Help arrived, and he carried on.