Fire Marshalls limited Kerry crowd to 40-50,000 in Portland

[grasswire]

So I suspect that the 75,000 number is a tad high. From the AP in 2004:

Kerry, joined by rock star Jon Bon Jovi, actor Leonardo DiCaprio and Gov. Ted Kulongoski, attracted a rock concert-size crowd of 40,000 to 50,000 during the middle of the work day at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

It was the largest crowd to attend a political speech in Portland in at least a decade, according to Portland fire officials who monitored the crowd for safety reasons. Other Oregonians watched on local television stations, which broadcast the speech live.

Kerry emphasized environmental and economic themes in his half-hour address, covering much the same ground as his acceptance speech at last month’s Democratic National Convention in Boston.

Fire marshals began turning away people after the grassy park filled to capacity. Thousands settled for nearby streets, the Hawthorne Bridge, and other venues to gain a glimpse of Kerry and celebrity supporters.

[Youphemism]

1. Probably the most common quote that day...

"There's a rumor that Kerry might show up at this Bon Jovi concert."

[grasswire]

2. yeah, the Decemberists played today in Portland (eom)

[Youphemism]

3. Oh, well...

...I'm sure this is much smaller than the crowds the Decemberists are used to.

[Arugula Latte]

4. They fit 60,000 inside and another 15,000 were outside.

Yes, 'tis possible.

[boppers]

5. Marshalls limited the number *in* the park.

The Obama campaign counted those in the park proper, as well as those on the bridges, in the river, etc.

[Occam Bandage]

6. FIRE MARSHALS ARE SEXIST OBAMITES

[Adelante]

7. It was fire marshalls who estimated 75,000 today nt

[alteredstate]

9. Yep.

Impressive, huh?

[JI7]

8. the crowd outside counts also

[mystieus]

10. Kerry got 35,000 in 2004