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Get your empirical crowd-enthusiasm comparison on Route 66

Posted by Sasha Issenberg October 25, 2008 11:38 PM

ALBUQUERQUE -- Those seeking to use the typically inexact science of crowd size to quantify differing levels of political enthusiasm might have finally found a useful case study tonight.

"I understand Senator McCain was at the State Fair and he had maybe 1,000 people," Governor Bill Richardson swaggered before Barack Obama arrived at the University of New Mexico tonight. "I think we have more people here, right?"

One week ago, the gap between Barack Obama's rally crowd of 100,000 in St. Louis and John McCain's of 3,000 in suburban St. Charles two days later didn't offer such a perfect comparison. Obama's event took on a sunny Saturday afternoon on the banks of the Mississippi River, while McCain held forth on a weekday morning away far from downtown: in a planned new-urbanist development far less welcoming to the public than Obama’s chosen symbol of Manifest Destiny.

It would have been hard for a social scientist to design a better experiment in crowd size than the one that emerged organically today in Albuquerque. McCain hosted a late-morning rally at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds. Under twelve hours later, Obama visited a college sports field less than three miles down Route 66.

The consensus among media covering the McCain event was that his crowd numbered approximately 1,000. A crowd count released during Obama's rally by the University of New Mexico fire marshal tallied 35,000 who entered the gates at the event’s perimeter, and the campaign estimated that another 10,000 to 15,000 stood outside it. (McCain's campaign does not release crowd estimates.)

A larger-than-life politician on home turf does not rely on empiricism alone, however. "I heard that we have possibly 300,000 people here. There will be official estimates, but that's my official estimate," Richardson said. "This is the biggest and most enthusiastic and best-looking crowd in America."

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I was at the rally and that was a huge crowd. I think the estimates of 35,000 inside the gates sounds about right. Did not see the crowd outside the gates but when leaving there was a huge crowd outside the gates as well. Big enthusiastic crowd that was hungry to see and listen to Obama. He has a way of firing up a crowd.

Posted by Richard Farris October 26, 08 11:17 AM
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I was there and we were the most enthusiastic and best looking crowd for sure.... we are also one of the biggest crowds for our city at over 40,000! It was great to stand in solidarity with my friends, and fellow New Mexicans. Obama rocked Albuquerque!

Posted by Hannah Keane October 26, 08 11:48 AM
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I heard Obama jumped on stage after the FREE Santana concert in NM. Is he trying to make it looked like they all flocked there to see HIM? Not like there's a lot to do in NM.

Posted by chardonnay October 26, 08 01:22 PM
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Duh, you forgot to mention that Santana headlined the Obama event for FREE! People started leaving at the end of the Santana concert as Obama took the stage.

Posted by TC Rider October 26, 08 01:31 PM
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Alb NM was a Santana concert! Been going to both Obama & McCain rallies (I work in the travel biz). I support McCain, but go to Obama's also to compare the crowds. Obama rallies usually include a free concert. McCain's is usually only a rally with the occasional country star or celebrity who may show up. I noticed that there is hardly ever an advance mention of these few apearances. Thus McCain/Palin rallies are people who actually want to see them. On the other hand, since Obama's are usually free concerts or held in conjunction with other festivals/events, (like St. Louis) they attract a lot of people, but ew for him alone.

Posted by Debra October 26, 08 01:58 PM
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Hum, I might have gone also to see Santana, heard the crowd thinned after Carlos left the stage.

Posted by P. Hilliard October 26, 08 02:22 PM
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Your article fails to mention the free Santana concert put on just before the rally in New Mexico. I would go see Santana for free - even though Obama was there too.

Posted by Patti October 26, 08 02:32 PM
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No free concert at the Obama rally in Denver & there were over 100,000 people there. The recent McCain rally drew 3,000.

Posted by 'nuf said October 26, 08 07:52 PM
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Republicans are so DESPERATE! I was at the rally in Albuquerque & Santana did not perform. There was no "free concert". It was an event filled with 45,000 New Mexicans for Obama who waited hours on their feet in very crowded conditions to celebrate history. The celebration continued on Central Ave. as supporters exited the event honking horns and waiving signs. It was amazing! Twelve hours earlier the McCain event at the state fair grounds, same town ,same day drew a crowd of 1000. That says it all.

Posted by Jackie October 26, 08 08:45 PM
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If anyone actually believes that business about the Santana Concert in Albuquerque, they should check the Albuquerque Journal's Sunday paper. The Journal estimated the crowd to be over 45,000. I was there and can assure people that Santana wasn't. George Lopez was, however, and the crowd didn't go anywhere until after Obama was done, at which point revelers were literally dancing in the streets on Central Ave. Republicans are bitter because they don't have a ticket that is as exciting, as evinced by the tiny McCain rally of 3,000 people earlier in the day, in Albuquerque, at the State Fair Grounds. Good try you Grinches but the Who's down in Whoville are still singing.

Posted by Brain Castillo October 26, 08 10:12 PM
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I was at the Obama rally last night here in Albuquerque. Santana...what? Carlos Santana did not play before the rally. The truth is that 45K+ people showed up to hear Barack Obama speak while McCain drew 1K on the same day. Wonder where the Santana rumor started???

Posted by Chad October 26, 08 11:28 PM
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I was at the Obama rally saturday night and the closest thing to a concert was a duo from Santa Fe, known as Soul Fire. 45,000 voters looking for the restoration of America. 45,000 voters disgusted with the unimaginative and pedestrian platitudes of a vulgar right wing party. Your repeating of inane lies belies your truly narrow views and your desire to remain ignorant of anything resembling a fact.

Posted by JoeFriday13 October 26, 08 11:56 PM
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I was also at the rally in Albuquerque last night. There was no Santana concert. A local band from Santa Fe, Soul Fire, played the national anthem and a short set. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, Rep. Tom Udall, Lt. Governor Diane Denish, Governor Bill Richardson and comedian/actor George Lopez warmed up the crowd. Santana was never advertised or rumored to appear. 45,000 + went to see Obama and New Mexican down-ballot candidates. No one went away disappointed.

Posted by Britta October 27, 08 12:26 AM
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I was there. Santana was not there. Where does this bologna come from?

Posted by Darcy October 27, 08 12:44 AM
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Everyone was waiting to see Obama - patiently in line. Never saw or even heard Santana. Only there to experience the next President of the United of the States in person.

Posted by A. Oston October 27, 08 02:19 AM
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The Albuquerque Obama rally DID NOT have a free concert - NM representatives spoke, Governor Bill Richardson spoke, and George Lopez showed up UN-announced. Sorry righties - no free Santana concert - just an Obama blowout over the weaker McCain.

Posted by Camille October 27, 08 10:27 AM
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I went by there and the only reason there was so many people was because Planned Parenthood was giving out free abortions and crack cocaine to all the libtards and then when Obama was on stage he started throwing out thousands of dollars that he had stoled from Joe the Plumber.

Posted by Sick Of It October 30, 08 03:12 PM
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