That's right - I saw Obama

Not only did I get to see this incredible man who I believe is undoubtly the best and most reasonable choice for the Presidency - the AP snagged me for my thoughts and today my quotes are flourishing throughout the online news world. four of us fought hard to get tickets to his rally in Portland yesterday, and waited in line for 3 hours to get floor access. It was quite the day. He is so humble and an incredible speaker. I believe he will make quite the fine President.

Here is a short clip from the National Examiner online....

PORTLAND, Ore. (Map, News) - Scoring an endorsement of national importance, Barack Obama threw down a marker Friday in the race for Oregon's suddenly important 65 votes for the Democratic presidential nomination.

A former challenger, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, took the stage to endorse the Illinois senator and repeat the Obama campaign theme - "yes we can" - in Spanish: "Si se puede."

The nation's only Hispanic governor called Obama a "once-a-lifetime leader" who will be a "historic and great president."

Obama responded with praise for Richardson, citing his leadership on alternative energy and saying he "understands diplomacy" and the need for an improved foreign policy.

Both had kind words for Sen. Hillary Clinton, who is expected to make a campaign appearance in Oregon within the next couple of weeks, well before ballots are mailed to voters in the Oregon primary.

Obama told a crowd of about 12,000 cheering supporters that during his campaign travels he found the American people desperate a politics based not on tearing each other down but on lifting the country up.

The message resonated with crowd members such as Brenulla White, a nutritionist.

"Obama talks about doors that have not been opened, and it's time for those doors to be opened," she said.

White said her son served two tours of duty in Iraq in the Army, and she praised Obama for promising to start bringing home the troops and for confronting racial issues.

"It's time for racial differences to come to the forefront and be resolved," she said. "How can a country fight if it's divided?"

White and other black woman at the rally said Obama can reach average people, define the issues for them and bring them together.

"I find him absolutely inspiring," said Melissa Marley, a graduate student. Despite talking to a large crowd, she said Obama can engage people individually and make them feel like he's listening. "I truly feel it's like he's in my living room," she said.

Voting starts in Oregon's primary in early May, and the ballots are tallied May 20.

The candidates will divide 52 pledged delegates in proportion to their primary vote totals. Twelve more so-called superdelegates, party leaders and officials, will go to the national convention without being formally committed. One more delegate to the national convention is to be chosen at the party's state convention in June.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.