Though organized by the Obama campaign in just a few days, the concert, at 20th and the Parkway, drew an estimated 50,000 people. According to Obama staff, it also added 21,000 new ground troops to the Illinois senator's campaign effort in must-win Pennsylvania.
The Democratic presidential candidate's potent ground operation was on display up and down the Parkway, with volunteers at almost every turn collecting personal information about concertgoers and doling out voter-registration forms.
The goal was to increase registration in the state by tomorrow's deadline while luring new volunteers as the campaign enters what Gov. Rendell said yesterday would be a "meaner," "tougher" and "dirtier" final few weeks against Republican John McCain.
Springsteen was scheduled to hold similar shows today in Ohio and tomorrow in Michigan - two other critical states in the Nov. 4 election.
The Parkway crowd was a largely captive audience of Springsteen and Obama fans, most of whom had been required to register with the campaign online or on site to enter gated viewing areas.
Some McCain supporters also were in force to see the much-adored rocker from the Jersey Shore. They watched from peripheral areas where registration was not required but, in some cases, provided a better view.
Rendell made a strong appeal for undecided voters to swing toward Obama. His full-throated pleas were carried over two large video screens that lined the Parkway.
But first the governor took a jab at GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and her demeanor at last week's debate with Obama's running mate, Delaware Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr.
"I promise you that as long as I'm up here I will not wink at you," said Rendell, a former national Democratic Party chairman.
