Obama Rallies Democrats in Massachusetts (NYT)

[jefferson_dem]

Obama Rallies Democrats in Massachusetts
By JEFF ZELENY



President Obama with Martha Coakley, the Democratic Senate candidate in Massachusetts, during a campaign rally at Northeastern University in Boston on Sunday.BOSTON — President Obama swooped into Massachusetts on Sunday in an attempt to rescue the flailing candidacy of Martha Coakley, the Democratic Senate candidate in a special election on Tuesday that will determine whether the party will preserve its 60-vote majority in the Senate and keep alive its health care agenda.

“If you were fired up in the last election, I need you more fired up in this election,” Mr. Obama said, speaking over the loud applause of a packed basketball arena at Northeastern University. “Understand what’s at stake here Massachusetts. It’s whether we’re going forwards or backwards.”

<SNIP>

“We have had one year to make up for eight. It hasn’t been quick, it hasn’t been easy,” Mr. Obama said, opening a defense of his first year in office. “But we’ve begun to deliver on the change you voted for.”
The president’s decision to fully inject himself into the campaign was filled with political peril, but his advisers conceded that Mr. Obama’s fortunes were already tied to the outcome of the race, so there was no reason to keep him away.

“People are frustrated and angry,” Mr. Obama said. “They have every reason to be. I understand.”

Mr. Obama spoke to a crowd of 1,500 people on the Solomon Court on the campus. More than 2,500 people listened in an overflow room. The president’s speech was interrupted three times by screaming abortion protesters, who were led away by the police. He smiled and paused until the disruptions ended.

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[Rosa Luxemburg]

1. Take that Brown!

:kick:

[cali]

2. all over the right side of the web, they're claiming that

Brown's rally in Worchester had far more people.

[HughMoran]

4. Brown-holers

...miss the point, as expected.

[SpencerS]

8. Of Course, They're Lying

There was over 100 people at Scott Brown's rally. That's about the same number that showed up at the rally at his campaign headquarters earlier the today.

“Brown then took the megaphone from Cellucci and stood on a picnic table to address a crowd of more than 100 supporters and skiers. “This is amazing. We have a true opportunity to send a message to Washington that we are not going to have business as usual," he said.”

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/01/with_obama_visi.html

[SpencerS]

12. My bad. Stupid Me.

Wrong rally. They say about 2,600 showed up at Scott Brown's rally at Mechanics Hall. I wonder how many people they bused in. Still more people showed up for the Martha Coakley/Obama rally. 4,000 people, or so.

[Cha]

3. Key Phrase..

"If you were fired up in the last election, I need you more fired up in this election,” Mr. Obama said, speaking over the loud applause of a packed basketball arena at Northeastern University. “Understand what’s at stake here Massachusetts. It’s whether we’re going forwards or backwards.”

[Rosa Luxemburg]

5. if they elect an idiot like Brown they will be going backwards

[BunkerHill24]

6. This campaign was such non-existence until few weeks ago

Is it because the Democrats thought this seat was a given? I doubt this catch-up campaign will salvage anything, or maybe it would add to anything. Let us cross our fingers!

[Arkana]

7. 4,000 people, eh?

I'll kill my father--he wouldn't shut up about Obama's speech being a "yawn".

[impik]

10. There were lines stretched for two blocks

Many waited through the night and most people couldn't even get close.

[impik]

9. Just loved his reaction to the teabaggers

Just gave them his shiny smile.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

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