I'd already signed up to canvass in NE Phila, then found out about the rally. We worked from 10:30 am till 3pm, then went downtown for the show. It was crazy crowded by the time we got there (about 3:45), so we ended up standing outside the enclosed area in spite of having received tickets as a thank you for our morning's work. So I got to see a concert by Bruce's guitar and left arm, neatly framed by some tree branches. But it was OK, the sound was excellent, and everyone, both inside the enclosure and out, was totally focussed on the event. I have no idea how many people were there. I saw one estimate of 50,000, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was more than that.

Before Bruce, there were some speeches, including ones by Sen. Casey and Gov. Rendell, who warned that we haven't seen nearly the worst attacks from the McCain campaign, that they will try anything as Election Day draws near.

Springsteen sang about 6-8 songs, opening with "The Rising", and including "The Promised Land", which felt eerily appropriate. He closed his set with a long, slow, heartfelt rendition of "This Land is Your Land". By the end many people were singing along, but it felt more like a solemn hymn than a hootenanny. And I will confess that tears were rolling down my cheeks.

It didn't take long, did it? I wish Obama had been in a position last night to confront McCain with the horrifying responses he and Palin have been eliciting at their rallies ("Terrorist" and "Kill him!"), and force him to denounce them on a national stage. But they were both on their best behavior.

I have long wished that "This Land is Your Land" could be our national anthem. It's for everyone, not just Democrats.