Latest Report From Obama Camp- Columbus, Ohio Rally

Barack Obama made his first stop after last night's MSNBC debate with Senator Hillary Clinton in Columbus, Ohio at a packed to capacity rally at St. John's Arena. Supporters and adorers alike were in their slim wooden, not-so-comfortable seats as early as 8:30 this morning and waited as the Senator from Illinois arrived an hour and a half late traveling down I-71 from Cleveland. This hardly dampened the frenetic energy in the building.

After a couple of not-so-memorable introductions and attempts to 'pump up' the crowd by County Treasurer Richard Cordray, (and much more excitingly), Heisman Trophy winner and former Ohio State Buckeye, Eddie George, the steamrolling Obama glided onto stage. Signs were handed out that read "Obama is Superman," and one got the feeling, sitting to the left of the marching band and just below the press docket, looking into the crowd, that many in attendance would have to agree.

Obama hit back playfully at GOP sure-thing nominee, John McCain, for taking out of context an answer he had given to a hypothetical question posed to him about what he may do in response to a build-up of Al Qaida in Iraq. Obama promised he would act "...if al-Qaida is forming a base in Iraq."

To that, McCain: "I have some news. Al-Qaida is in Iraq. It's called `al-Qaida in Iraq."

Touchee, went Mr. Obama: "I do know that al-Qaida is in Iraq and that's why I have said we should continue to strike al-Qaida targets," he told excited supporters.

"But I have some news for John McCain," Obama added. "There was no such thing as al-Qaida in Iraq until George Bush and John McCain decided to invade Iraq. ... They took their eye off the people who were responsible for 9/11 and that would be al-Qaida in Afghanistan, that is stronger now than at any time since 2001."

Senator Obama is keeping things even-keel for now as he surges ahead of his rival from New York in many Texas polls and is strengthening in Ohio, where he has a strong base. Warring words are kept to a minimum, the prudent strategy for a surging frontrunner. Clinton camp must now be prepared to battle for all four states on March 4th.