Obama Popularity Goes Mile High

To pack in more of his supporters, Barack Obama will accept the Democratic presidential nomination at the 76,125-capacity Invesco Field At Mile High, rather than the 18,650-capacity Pepsi Center in downtown Denver where the Democratic National Convention is otherwise being held August 25-28.

Obama will accept the nomination at the outdoor stadium on the last day of the convention, according to The Hill, and the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech, which was given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., August 28, 1963.

"Sen. Obama’s candidacy has generated an enormous amount of excitement and interest, not only in the Democratic Party but also in the 2008 Convention," said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean in a statement. "By bringing the last night of the convention out to the people, we will be able to showcase Barack Obama’s positive, people-centered vision for our country in a big way."

It would be the first time in nearly half a century that a presidential candidate accepts the nomination at a location other than the convention site.

Sen. John F. Kennedy gave his acceptance speech in front of 80,000 people at the Los Angeles Coliseum while the 1960 Democratic National Convention was held at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

Just before Oregon’s primary, roughly 75,000 people showed up at the Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland May 18 to hear Obama speak. Indie rockers The Decemberists warmed up the crowd.