Wow.

The Obama campaign released the details of the Illinois Senator’s trip to Minnesota 24 hours ago and as of right now, the Target Center - as in where the Timberwolves play - is completely sold out! Not just that, there is already a waiting list in excess of 2,000 people and that list is growing by the minute.

To put that in perspective, in 2004, 56,000 people caucused in Minnesota. This year, the DFL projects that between 70,000 and 75,000 will show up.

And just to be clear, the Obama campaign is using the whole arena - there will not be any Metrodome-style curtain covering up some seats.

Matt adds: Wikipedia puts the capacity for the Target Center for a Basketball game at 20,500 and 19,500 for a center stage concert. We’re hearing that the ticket count matches those capacity counts coming in to the tune of around 20,000. Not to mention the waiting list of over 2,000 people. Honestly, “staggering” doesn’t even described how absurdly large this showing is; much less a sell-out in under 24 hours.

UPDATE: A loyal reader of MN Publius reminds us that John Kerry held a rally in Minnesota 10 days before the general election and, in what was the biggest political rally in state history, attracted 35,000 people.  Obama has 20,000 in 24 hours and this is a contested primary.  Simply stunning.

Sorry to be harsh in the headline, but this is important to note. With regard to their caucus numbers, the MPR poll out today is fatally flawed for several reasons:

1. It has no likely voter screen. This alone makes the poll worthless. Minnesota is a caucus state. Less than 20% of eligable voters will participate in the caucuses. Polling the general population is worthless because the general population is not voting in the caucuses.
2. It didn’t include indpendants when determining the caucus numbers. Minnesota has an open system and no party registration. Independants and Republicans are free to caucus in the DFL caucuses.
3. Its old. Its before Obama’s win in South Carolina. Its before the Ted Kennedy endorsement. Its before Clinton’s win in Florida. Its before Edwards departure. Its a political lifetime ago.

Whats more, Larry Jacobs of the Humphrey Center (who sponsored the poll) admitted its worthless:

Jacobs cautioned the poll is not a prediction of Tuesday night’s precinct caucuses. The interviews did not identify likely caucus participants. Gary Puffett of Minnetonka said he doesn’t plan to attend his caucus, but he supports John McCain.

MPR, the Star Tribune, the AP and any other media outlet that covers this poll with a headline like “Clinton leads Obama” is being totally irresponsible.

I didn’t support you in 2004 and I didn’t support you in 2008, but thank you John Edwards for your contribution to American politics.

For the first time since LBJ, you made the eradication of poverty a major issue in the national debate. Your tireless advocacy for working people across the country is laudable and every progressive, even those who never supported your campaign, owes you a debt of gratitude.

Thanks John.

Here is the latest Ciresi ad:

I think this is a pretty good ad. McCollum is a good validator in a DFL endorsement battle.