Obama draws 75,000 to Portland rally

Barack and Michelle Obama wave to the crowd in Portland: Getty Images PhotoPORTLAND- The line snaked all over southwest Portland, and eventually, when everyone passed through the security check and metal detectors, they would be members of the largest crowd to ever greet Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

According to the fire department, 75,000 people filled the waterfront, just three days before Tuesday's Oregon primary, possibly the final round in the long-running Democratic presidential primary.

When Obama finally arrived to meet the sun-kissed crowd, his message was familiar: get out of Iraq, get renewable energy, find a better way to educate America's children.

What was notable was Obama's shift of opponents. While he praised Sen. Hillary Clinton (and dwelled on one of her key issues, health care), he concentrated on differentiating himself from Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee.

"John McCain has decided to run for George Bush's third term," he said to a deafening roar.

His rhetoric involved more of the "when I am the president" than might have been evident in previous speeches, and he had nothing but praise for his primary opponent.

"She is smart, tough and determined. She has run an extraordinary campaign," Obama said. Perhaps in attempt at post-primary unity, he also drew the picture of the Democratic vision, one that "doesn't just focus on how to win, but why we should."

"Whatever differences exist, they pale in comparison to our differences with the other side," he said.

When he spoke of the proposed gas tax, a policy Clinton has supported, he neglected to slight her, and instead focused upon McCain's support.

Obama, who is leading in the polls, is expected to win Oregon, a victory which would likely give him the necessary delegates to claim victory in the struggle for the Democratic nomination.

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