BEND, Ore. (Map, News) - With Sen. Barack Obama looking more and more like the Democratic presidential nominee, supporters looked forward Saturday to the possibility that Oregon could put him over the top in pledged delegates.

"Oregon votes so late it almost never makes any difference," said Carl Azar, 61, a computer marketing exec from Beaverton who was at his second home here when Obama scheduled his third campaign visit to the state. "It's definitely part of the excitement."

Azar was part of the crowd of some 2,000 people who packed the gym at Summit High School in one of the fastest-growing cities in Oregon as Obama appeared to shift his focus away from Sen. Hillary Clinton, his opponent for the Democratic nomination, to Sen. John McCain, the likely Republican nominee.

Rather than denounce Clinton over her proposal of a gas tax holiday, he criticized McCain.

"One example of what (telling the truth to the American people) means is the whole debate we are having now, John McCain and I are having on this gas tax holiday," Obama said.

Obama called it a gimmick, saving people pennies a day while threatening the source of funds for maintaining the federal highway system, and opening the way for oil companies to charge more.

Republican National Committtee regional press secretary Paul Lindsay went after Obama's gas tax position in a statement Saturday night.

"By refusing to acknowledge the immediate gas price relief at the pump that he previously supported, Obama demonstrates a lack of judgment on the economy that is no comfort to Oregon families who face financial challenges, he said.

Obama reserved his comments about Clinton to crediting her for running a "formidable campaign," and assuring the crowd that the Democratic Party would come together in November to defeat McCain and his support of the economic and Iraq war policies of President George Bush.

Despite increasing evidence she cannot win, Clinton crossed paths with Obama in Portland on Friday as they both vie for Oregon's 52 pledged delegates, to be awarded when mail ballots are counted May 20.

Political analysts have said that Oregon is likely to go for Obama, and Obama's campaign manager has said that the state could yield enough pledged delegates to give Obama a majority, essentially securing the nomination. Meanwhile, Clinton's once substantial lead among superdelegates has been dwindling and had dropped to a half delegate Saturday morning.

Former President Bill Clinton will be back in Oregon Sunday, visiting Pendleton, Baker City and Redmond and will visit with members of an electrical workers' union in Portland and speak at Gresham High School Sunday evening.

Monday he is scheduled to visit Astoria, Tillamook, Corvallis and Eugene.

Obama was introduced Saturday by Myrlie Evers-Williams, the widow of slain civil rights leader Medger Evers and the first woman to lead the NAACP.

"This is a very emotional moment for me," said Evers-Williams, 70, a longtime Bend resident. "Because I am seeing change, positive change, my friends, over the years and we are all participating in what is the most exciting election I think this country has ever had."

Obama credited the work of Evers-Williams and her first husband with making it possible for him to be a black man running for president.

Supporters gave Obama standing ovations for declaring he would end the war in Iraq, and saying people are ready for change in America.

People lined up for tickets Friday and stood in line again Saturday to fill the gymnasium at the newest of Bend's three high schools. Dozens more stood in an overflow line in hopes of extras and a chance to watch on video.

"We were just shy by 100 people of getting tickets yesterday," said Sheila Williams, 61, a retired real estate agent from California who retired with her husband, Randall, to nearby Prineville. "We love Obama."

Bob Pearson, 59, a retired Silicon Valley computer company executive retired to Bend, said he changed his registration from Independent to Democrat to vote for Obama. He said the perception of Clinton as a fighter was one reason he supported Obama, because a fighter represents the old confrontational politics.

"Her world view comes out of '60s values," and old-style political battles between conservatives and liberals, he added.

He described the prospect of Oregon putting Obama over the top as a "statistical anomaly. I don't take pride in it."

But Angela Jordison, 36, a Redmond bar owner who brought along her two kids and her sister-in-law and her baby, said "It's about time Oregon had a say.

"I am 36 years old and all I have ever known is Bushes and Clintons, so I am ready for something different."

"I just think it's amazing to see so many young people fired up," said Kristina Carpenter, 27, a student and stay-at-home mom from Prineville who stood in line with her husband, Kenneth, 31, a carpenter. "I am hearing 18-year-olds in political debates and they know what they are talking about."

Comments from Examiner Readers

2:26 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 22, 2008 re: "Obama welcomed by Oregon supporters"

Examiner Reader said:
i ironically find examiner reader's comment rather immature itself. And generalization is a typical logic fallacy.

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4:34 PM MST on Mon., Mar. 24, 2008 re: "Obama takes campaign to conservative Southern Oregon"

Examiner Reader said:
I hope that my man wins the elections all.

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2:12 PM MST on Fri., Mar. 21, 2008 re: "Obama welcomed by Oregon supporters"

Examiner Reader said:
As a Medford resident & Independant voter..... Ho Hum! Let the emotional teeney bobbers cheer till they are hoarse for this first term senator who prefers to attend an anti-American, racist church. This is a very devisive candidate for thinking, sober voters.

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