If you're searching for more evidence of the Obama momentum sweeping the country, you need look no further than North Dakota. In the largest political rally seen in the state since 1934 when FDR visited the state, Sen. Obama addressed a packed house of 17,000 excited North Dakotans and Northern Minnesotans at the North Dakota Democratic Convention in Grand Forks.
officials said more than 17,000 people joined, for a few hours, the North Dakota Democratic Party’s convention, cheering, stomping and yelling like a crowd at a rock concert when Obama took the stage, and throughout his 45-minute speech. Minutes before the speech started, a thousand or more still waiting in line were allowed to hurry in to stand on the floor after all the seats were full.
GF Herald- Obama: We didn’t write off North Dakota
I'm a delegate to the state convention, and was able to take in the scene firsthand. Thousands of people began to fill the arena almost five hours before Sen. Obama began to speak, waiting patiently for him to arrive. The feeling at the convention, beginning early this morning was electric- unlike anything I've ever seen before during my time in the North Dakota Dem-NPL. There is a sense of genuine excitement (and dare I say it, hope)among Democrats here that is spectacular to behold.
It's also worth noting that Sen. Clinton also spoke today, two hours after Sen. Obama's keynote address. I have to say, that although I'm an Obama supporter, I found her speech to be fairly decent. Although she made several subtle digs at Sen. Obama (including the old "we need action, not words" line of attack), for the most part, she saved her vitriol for the Bush administration and Senator McCain, while also laying out several of her policy proposals. Many of the people who had come to hear Senator Obama left before she began, but she still was able to address a quite respectable crowd. While the media estimated that 14,000 people remained, it looked to me as though at least a third of the crowd, if not closer to a half, had left after Sen. Obama finished. Still, in ND, a crowd of 10,000 to hear a Democrat is something that we could only dream of even a few short weeks ago.
Clinton: I’m ready to keep fighting- Grand Forks Herald
While I know that many in the blogosphere are worried about the negative aspects of a continuing campaign, I have to say that I was impressed by the positive, respectful attitudes of the supporters of both candidates here. It's worth remembering that not everyone engages in the fights that can seem to overwhelm us at sites such as this one. Today, thousands of people came together in a small, red state, to hear candidates demanding a change from the failed policies of the past 8 years. It's up to all of us to work together, as DEMOCRATS, to be the change we seek. It's been a wonderful day to be a Democrat in North Dakota. I can't wait for November!
UPDATE/ADDENDUM-
Someone asked if there was any video of the event. I've added the following link to some local news coverage of Sen. Obama's speech. Thanks for all your great feedback!
WDAZ News
UPDATE #2
The Fargo Forum has posted a video of Sen. Obama's speech. Tip o' the hat to Terrier Mix for finding the following link!
Fargo Forum- Entire Obama Speech