Sen. Barack Obama became the first presidential candidate to join MSNBC's Chris Matthews on the 2008 Hardball College Tour yesterday at West Chester University. The candidate spent the hour with Matthews as well as hundreds of students.

The News Journal (of Delaware) describes the scene at Hollinger Field House as "dozens strong" two hours before the live show was set to begin, as many students waited for hours for a chance to attend. The News Journal notes a small Hillary Clinton gathering of "a pair of students" outside the venue.

The Los Angeles Times' Don Frederick writes, "By its applause, shouts and a show of hands that host Chris Matthews asked for, the crowd at West Chester University near Philadelphia already was overwhelmingly in Barack Obama's corner."

Obama took a well-received shot at "cable news" while answering Matthews question about what he "goes to bed laughing about." The Huffington Post has the video.