PENDLETON – The 3,200 people packed into the Pendleton Convention Center Sunday seemed as excited to see and hear a politician as they would for any of the biggest country and western stars.

The star power in this case emanated from presidential political hopeful Sen. Barack Obama. His visit followed an earlier stop in Pendleton by former President Bill Clinton, who was stumping for his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, in her bid for the Democratic nomination.

Obama spoke to an excited crowd at the town hall meeting just two days before the Oregon primary, earning cheers and even standing ovations for his comments on health care, education and ending the war in Iraq.

The Illinois senator may have won his highest marks at the end of his presentation. He told the crowd he won’t be a perfect president but he would always tell the American people what he thought and where he stood on issues. And he made a big promise.

“I’ll work my tail off everyday to make your life a little better,” Obama said.

The Pendleton appearance followed an even larger show for the candidate when 75,000 people filled the Waterfront Park in Portland to hear him speak earlier on Sunday. It was his largest rally turnout to date.

Obama entered from the west grandstands, shaking hands with audience members as he made his way to the center stage, where Barbara Bartel, a waitress at Miss Patti’s Country Cuisine, introduced him.

Bartel said while she works she also has to rely on income from Social Security to pay the bills.

“I pay my bills day to day to day,” she said.

Her story of economic difficulty was familiar to many Eastern Oregonians, but she said she isn’t looking for a handout.

“Just some dignity and a way and a hand up,” she said.

Obama thanked several local residents for their help in his campaign, before getting to remarks on his platform. He began with shots at the Bush administration, particularly on the war in Iraq and on the economy. He said the U.S. should never have gone to war there and the administration has done little to help the average American, who has seen their yearly earnings decrease while living expenses increase.

Obama’s comments on Iran – he said it didn’t pose the same level of threat to the United States as the Soviet Union once did – drew a response later from Republican presidential candidate John McCain. Appearing at a meeting in Chicago, McCain said the comment displays inexperience and reckless judgment, according to an Associated Press account.

Obama countered the criticism in an appearance Monday in Billings, Mont., where he clarified his belief that Iran is a grave threat.

In Pendleton, Obama also stressed the need for change in Washington, focusing on ending the influence of lobbyists and special interests, which he said isn’t funding his campaign.

Obama said the U.S. has to get serious about alternative energy. He said investing in alternative energy won’t just help the environment, it would create jobs.

Before closing, Obama said the U.S. must provide health care to its returning veterans, including screening for post-traumatic stress disorder and setting up more clinics in rural America. And he said the U.S. needs to follow through with its commitments to American Indian tribes.

Obama also said he would consider returning to Pendleton, perhaps even for the Round-Up.

“But you will not find me on a bull,” Obama said. “I had enough trouble bowling.”