Obama draws 20,000 in Atlanta...

[CurtEastPoint]

From the ajc.com: You have to register to view stories so here's a bit of it:

Obama delivers 'goosebumps'

By SAEED AHMED
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/14/07

The rain stayed away, the weather was a cool 62, and a crowd of about 20,000 — war veterans, college students and parents pushing strollers — listened in rapt attention Saturday to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, at Atlanta's first public rally of the 2008 presidential campaign.

The crowd at least rivaled the largest so far for the campaign of the junior senator from Illinois. He spoke for 36 minutes and was interrupted by applause 116 times.

Obama took to the stage at the Yellow Jacket Park on the campus of Georgia Tech to the strains of Aretha Franklin's 'Think' and began by talking about his early interest in politics.

He recounted how early in his career, people had difficulty pronouncing his name.

"They'd call me Alabama or Yo' Mama," he joked.

Weaving in the theme of turning a page, Obama talked about the lack of universal healthcare, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center scandal and the petty politics in Washington that thwarts meaningful change.

The crowd cheered loudest when he condemned the war in Iraq.

<snip>

The crowd was a mix of races and generations. The volunteers, however, were overwhelmingly young – an indication of Obama's appeal to the 18-to-35 set.

Next year's presidential election will be the first time 18-year-old Steve Golden will be able to vote.

Dressed in an Obama '08 shirt and holding a blue placard that said the same thing, Golden tripped over his words as he tried to pour out all the reasons he is backing his candidate.

On Friday night, the Emory University freshman started a Facebook group for Obama supporters at his college. By this morning, about 500 had joined, he said.

It's more than just charisma, Golden said. He said Obama represents an undefinable 'something' that has people excited.

[TwilightGardener]

1. He will be unstoppable...thanks for sharing!

[mahina]

4. Pics please!

Please?

How's the campaign going in your area?

[CurtEastPoint]

5. Pics on the website...

you might have to register. They're flash and I can't get a screen capture...

http://lpe.ajc.com/gallery/view/metro/0407/0414obama/

It must be going well!

[elizm]

6. And just wait until after the debates!

People just need to hear him!

[saltpoint]

2. When I was a wee lad you'd have to look long and hard to find a crowd of

20,000 people who would come to hear the words of an Afro-American speaker.

Change doesn't happen overnight but when it comes it is often very, very welcome.

Good for Senator Obama, and long may he run. That one young man in the story turning voting age soon -- I think he's chosen well with Barack Obama as an inspiration.

And he's got the right political party, too!

:dem:

[snowbear]

3. Yow..

Atza lotta people!!

Sounds like a fun time in HotLanta!!

[BeyondGeography]

7. The cult of personality lives!

:sarcasm:

[elizm]

9. Are you saying Obama supporters are cult followers? n/t

[BeyondGeography]

13. I knew SOMEONE wouldn't get it

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=3214434

[elizm]

14. So Elizabeth Edwards called Obama supporters cult followers??

Pardon me for being 'dense' here....but it sounds like she is saying that supporters of other candidates are extremists. I have always liked Elizabeth Edwards but I find that offensive.

[BeyondGeography]

15. This was Thursday's story

<Elizabeth Edwards said she's comfortable with the campaign to date, saying the huge crowds Clinton and Obama are drawing are caused by "the cult of personality which seems to have happened on both sides this time."

"Maybe this is the warm-up period where we allow ourselves a little fluff and frivolity," she said.>

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070412/D8OF95MO0.html

I was just making a joke about it. Obama supporter, non-cult member here.

[conscious evolution]

8. He had a great poster for the event

check it out

[Dawgs]

10. I was there and it was every bit of 20,000.

I haven't seen a good picture yet, but it was packed. Reverand Lowery gave the intro and prayer. It was a lot of fun.

[renie408]

11. Enthusiasm is a good thing.

Good for Obama for getting people so excited. And anything that gets young people excited about voting is great for this country.

[saltpoint]

12. Agree on all counts, renie408.

This is a rising tide and it lifts a lot of boats at once.

[bigdarryl]

16. 20,000 thats INSANE!!!! what other candidate draws that many people

[flpoljunkie]

17. Obama's charisma extends to young children, as well. Photo taken today in Atlanta.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, shakes hands with Donavan Dodds, 10, right, as Obama greets supporters upon leaving a campaign rally at Yellow Jacket Park, Saturday, April 14, 2007, at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)

[flpoljunkie]

19. And another photo of Obama shaking hands as he left Yellow Jacket Park today in Atlanta

AP Photo/Gregory Smith

[nevergiveup]

22. There is something

really special about this picture. You should post it on Obama's site.

[flpoljunkie]

23. Another neat photo from the Atlanta rally of two young girls posted at Obama's website.

[TwilightGardener]

18. Just thinking about crowds this large, outdoors, got me thinking

of something troubling: How much security is used at these appearances?

[mckeown1128]

21. I saw a picture where he clearly has body guards following...

But, funny i though the same thing about his security. Seems a bit risky.

[flpoljunkie]

24. Obama does have much needed Secret Service protection already. Am sure he gets threats.

Hillary Clinton has Secret Service protection, as well.

[Colobo]

20. Gobama!