ESPAÑOLA — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama delivered a message of economic hope and change to an enthusiastic crowd in northern new Mexico on Thursday, addressing an outdoor rally.

Authorities estimated the crowd at 9,500.

Obama pledged to restore the nation’s ailing economic health, saying the current financial crisis is the nation’s worst since the Great Depression and is hurting average Americans.

He ended his 35-minute speech with an appeal to Hispanics to turn out and vote in strong numbers in the Nov. 4 general election. The Hispanic vote, he said, could decide which presidential candidate wins New Mexico.

— Barry Massey, The Associated Press 3:03 p.m. Sept. 18

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ESPAÑOLA — Sen. Barack Obama's visit to Northern New Mexico was met with enthusiasm as thousands turned out , with many arriving hours before the Democratic presidential candidate appeared.

Hours before Obama was scheduled to take the stage in Española, thousands waited in lines that extended for as much as a half-mile.

Tickets to the campaign rally sold out quickly and were unavailable as of Wednesday.

The atmosphere in Española was festive this morning. Among thousands who turned out for the event, many wore “Obamanos” T-shirts and buttons. Music acts, including Mariachi groups, played on the bandstand.

Vendors sold shirts and buttons and one woman sold a drink she calls “Obamanade.” Lines at a nearby Blake’s Lot-a-burger extended around the building with people trying to get a morning meal.

Parking lots near the Plaza de Española, site of the rally, reached capacity even before doors to the event opened. Local politicians and Democratic Party regulars also lined up for a chance to see the nominee.

The campaign stop in Española is part of an effort to rally turn out among Hispanic voters in Northern New Mexico, whose support the campaign believes could tip New Mexico toward Obama.

The event is drew a cross-section of Northern New Mexico residents.

"I think he's going to help the middle and lower classes," said Lorissa Abeyta, 14.

"We love Obama, we think he's just great," said Alyssa Lucero, 16.

Though she's not yet old enough to vote, 16-year-old Ashley Guinn said she has an Obama bumper sticker on her car and has been talking to people about the candidate.

"We need a Democrat in office," she said.

Henry Montoya, 43, of Ohkay Owingeh lacked a ticket and stood behind a barrier. He hoped to just "look at the next president, maybe."

"Maybe he's going to help us out," he said.

Meanwhile, a woman who identified herself only as T. Melo said she would lend her support to Obama but not her vote as she doesn't believe in the practice.

"I don't believe in presidents," she said. "I'm here to support a side that is better than the other one."

Obama is scheduled to take the stage at 12:30 p.m.

— Steve Terrell, The New Mexican 11:50 a.m. Sept. 18

KOB-TV will Webcast the Obama event live at KOB.com

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ESPAÑOLA — Instead of the tranquil town square that's home to weekend strolls and small festivals, the Plaza de Espaola on Wednesday was more like a movie set.

A crowd of men used hammers and levels to construct what likely will be the town's biggest claim to fame for a while: Sen. Barack Obama's visit today.

Pallets of bottled water, giant speakers, port-a-potties and stacks of risers were being dropped off in preparation for a rally and speech by Obama at 12:30 p.m. Gates open at 10:30 a.m.

Trucks bleep-bleep-bleeped as they backed up with loads for the area.

The picturesque plaza in a city of 9,500 is about to be overrun with people hoping to get a glimpse of Obama, who in many recent polls is running a close contest with Republican Sen. John McCain.

By all indications, the event will be crowded. The Obama campaign said it is out of tickets for the event, after giving away more than 7,500 in the past two days.

And while excitement is building for the candidate's fifth visit to the state, rally-goers might experience some anxiety over where to park.

Obama staffers say people should get to the event early. Parking will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited. No shuttles will take fans to off-site parking.

While Obama will probably be on stage for about an hour, the event has been days in the making.

Set-up involves everything from deciding where the press will be able to stand to choosing which guests will be on stage with the Democratic senator from Illinois. Gov. Bill Richardson is expected to appear.

Later in the day, Obama plans a fundraiser in Albuquerque that starts at $2,500 a person.

One guy playing a key role in the preparation was Rod Vernon, who owns ProWest Production Services. His task was overseeing the construction of a 4-foot-high stage where Obama will speak. "It's just really cool," Vernon said. "It's exciting."

The Albuquerque-based company does other entertainment events, but every election year, "it gets very busy," he said.

Vernon and another 50 people planned to spend the rest of the day setting up the area and then start taking it all down as soon as the event is over. "We'll be here until it gets dark," he said. "And then they'll want us to come back in the morning and change it," he joked.

Contact Kate Nash at 986-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com. Read her blog, Green Chile Chatter, at www.greenchilechatter.com.

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