About 6,600 people were in the audience at Abington High School where Barack Obama spoke today. He exerted an undeniable star power over the crowd, which periodically broke into chants of “Yes we can!” or “O-ba-ma”. He repeated phrases and policy promises that have been key to his campaign thus far, declaring that “he gets” middle-class Americans’ pressing concern over the state of the economy where McCain is out of touch, and emphasizing that 95 percent of Americans would see tax cuts under his administration.

He placed special emphasis on education issues, in light of the location of the event, and made a deal with current high school students: if they serve in their communities, he’ll make sure everyone can afford a college education, “no ifs, ands, or buts.” Attendees leaving the event called it “phenomenal” and said they were thrilled by the experience of seeing Obama in person.

12:02 - Pumping up the crowd with a final appeal for support and volunteers, Obama finishes his speech.

11:58 - “We will all need to pull our weight, because now, more than ever, we are all in this together… what this crisis has told us is that in the end, there is no separation between Main Street and Wall Street.”

11:55 - Back to Wall Street: “Just as we demand accountability in Wall Street, I will demand accountability in Washington… I will start by ending a war in Iraq”

11:54 - The crowd, which includes members of Abington High School, chants again, “Obama, Obama”

11:53 - “If you serve your country, or your community… if you serve in the military, or in the peace corps… if you work in a homeless shelter… We will invest in you… You will be able to afford college, no ifs, ands or buts.”

11:52 - Moving on from healthcare, Obama is now outlining his plan for education. He promises to make sure American educations are “second to none” in the world.
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We’re here at Abington High School in Montgomery County, PA where Barack Obama is scheduled to speak at 11 AM. The county, divided between registered Republicans and Democrats, is a crucial bloc of votes in the swing state of Pennsylvania. With Pennsylvania’s voter registration deadline just four days away, volunteers are registering people in the crowd to vote right on the spot. The crowd is anticipating Obama’s reaction to last night’s vice presidential debate. He’s also slated to explain how he’ll regulate Wall Street and Washington, and how he’ll create jobs for middle-class Americans. So far we’ve heard from a few community leaders and volunteers for the Obama campaign.

11:29 - Rupert introduces Obama, who jogs on to the field to a cheering crowd.

11:28 - Rupert, a volunteer for the Obama campaign in Pottstown explains how his job was downsized and eventually cut over the eight years of the Bush adminsistration. 

11:26 - Rendell introduces Bob Rupert, a resident of Montgomery County.

11:20 - Bob Casey just spoke and Ed Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania is now speaking.

11:15 - No sign of Obama, apart from a secret service SUV.

Rep. Bob Brady is starting things off here in northeastern Philly at the Ironworkers Union.
Lots of union members in the audience, and the kind of working class voters Biden needs to appeal to on behalf of Obama.
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Brady is introducing Biden as a working class hero (essentially a PA native), and someone who’s “here for us.”

Phila Mayor Michael Nutter is now speaking; ridiculing the GOP as the “Repulsive National Convention.”
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Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Joe, is speaking with Gov. Ed Rendell.

Rendell is really talking up infrastructure as a means to job growth, and PA problems. He also said the GOP had no real solutions at their convention.
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Jill Biden mentions that she was a teachers union member, “right at home.”
She’s now talking about her first date with Joe, working class roots, and what she found so great in Joe. “Family values” and the Amtrak commute, how he has “never been a part of the Washington scene.”
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Jill: “education is the key to opportunity” and with Obama-Biden, speaking as a military mom, “we will end this war in Iraq”
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Joe Biden is now speaking. Make no mistake: this man is a natural working the PA union crowd. He knows this terrain and knows what to say.
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Biden: “there has been a war [by the Bush admin] on the union house”

“John McCain is my friend,” said Biden. And “I would do anything for him if he asked.” “John is singally bravest man I know.”

Bringing up Rick Davis, McCain campaign manager, when he said “this campaign is not about the issues.”

Saying he heard “politics as usual” at the republican convention. “Nothing about you.”

“Not a single solitary thing about healthcare … College education …”

Says that they, McCain-Palin, couldn’t possibly explain the past 8 years, so they attack.
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Now talking a LOT about the economy. Recent job loss numbers, 6.1% unemployment rate.
“Worst in 5 years.”

> quick note: not really exciting, but very specific and union-focused. Wait… Nevermind. Crowd just rose to their feet for union organizing rights.

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Now focused on how Obama and him will actually lower taxes on 95% of Americans. “people need help right now”
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More tax focus: saying repeal of bush tax cuts for top 1% will pay for everything.
“don’t tell me we’re big spenders. It’s how we spend it.”
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“tax break to companies who want to keep jobs here.”

“The choice is absolutely clear.”

“The future of this country … world will be decided in the next 60 days.”
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Questions and comments now by 3 individuals, the first a committeeman from the area with kids in college.
“grocery prices are unbelievable”

Third has husband who is retired Philly Police. Now for healthcare, he’s working at Target.
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Q: what do about No Child Left Behind?

A: we should have standards, expect a lot of children. Lots of kids come from disadvantaged households, and kids who are talked to young do better.

Obama and I will push early childhood education. Also, NCLB measures students and teachers unfairly - no proper starting point.

“testing isn’t bad, but teachers shouldn’t be teaching to the test”
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11:35 AM

Q: “will you take off the gloves with Sarah palin in the debate like you would anybody else?”

A: Harry Truman: I’m not gunna give them hell. I’m gunna tell them the truth and they’re gunna think its hell.

Event is now over. Biden shakes hands, works crowd.