Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama made his first campaign appearance today in Reno, where about 4,000 people turned out to welcome him.

That's about 500 more people than attended Democratic rival Hillary Clinton's rally at Reno's Hug High School at midday on a Sunday last month.

Obama was making his third visit overall to Nevada. The US senator from Illinois told the crowd at Reno's Wingfield Park he wants to return to a philosophy of past generations that looked out for each other and invested in the future. He says the whole attitude in Washington these days is that everyone is on their own.

Obama also criticized President Bush's policy in Iraq and repeated his call for a withdrawal of all U-S troops by March 31st. He says things have never been better for al-Qaida in Iraq. He says they are gaining strength there because the US has neglected the war it should have finished in Afghanistan.

Earlier today in Carson City, Obama predicted he'll run well in politically conservative Nevada, one of the earliest primary states. He compared it to his home state of Illinois. He says he received strong support in his US Senate race from areas of southern Illinois that are "about as rural and southern as you get."

He says that by taking time to talk with people and showing concern for their issues "you can do well regardless of what your background is."

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)