Barack Obama electrified a crowd of at least 13,000 supporters today in Denver, promising to end the war in Iraq, restore moral leadership (by rejecting torture and closing Guantanamo, for starters), and aggressively attacking the imminent climate crisis.  Obama called for tolerance and inclusiveness, while simultaneously noting that he intends to offer a sharp contrast to his eventual Republican opponent on national security, the environment, and health care.

Crowds began lining up at 4:30 a.m. for the 10:00 a.m. speech at the University of Denver's Magness Arena, which holds 7,000.  Several thousand more were in overflow rooms and an outdoor lacrosse field.  In a politically shrewd move, Obama addressed the "latecomers" outside first, before entering the arena to loud and enthusiastic applause and chants of "Yes, we can!"

Cathleen Kennedy and Federico Pena (himself a former Cabinet official in Bill Clinton's terms) provided rousing introductions before Obama launched into his speech.  On John Edwards' departure, Obama said,

"John and Elizabeth Edwards believe the two Americas can become one... This cause lives on for all of us who believe that we can achieve one America," Obama said. "I am grateful to John Edwards for his service to this country."

To put the size of the crowd in perspective, only 12,000 people total showed up to the Colorado Democratic caucuses in 2004!