BEAVER, Pa. -- Democrats are aggressively courting Pennsylvanians as crucial voters in the presidential election with a visit by Sen. Barack Obama and running mate Sen. Joe Biden on Friday.

WTAE Channel 4's Sheldon Ingram reported that Democratic leaders consider southwestern Pennsylvania one of the most pivotal areas in this year's presidential campaign. Party leaders said voters in southwestern Pennsylvania can expect the candidates to return to the area before the general election.

Video: Obama-Biden Stump In Beaver
Video: Obama Event Tickets Run Out Within Half Hour

Armed Man Arrested At Obama Event

Fresh off his triumphant nomination at the Democratic National Committee, Obama could have chosen anywhere to begin his fall campaign. He chose Irvine Park in Beaver for a rally that started about an hour after its scheduled starting time at 7:30 p.m.

Not since 1932 -- when Franklin Delano Roosevelt beat Herbert Hoover -- has a Democrat been able to win the White House without winning Pennsylvania.

"I think it's great for him to even pick Beaver County," said Tom Bond, an Obama supporter. "Of all the places he could have gone in the United States, he picked Beaver County. I think it's great."

"I know he didn't do all that well in Pennsylvania (during the primary), but I think it's great, and I hope he gets a lot of good turnout here," said Pat McKenna, an Obama supporter.

Obama's visit to heavily Democratic Beaver County -- which favored New York Sen. Hillary Clinton in the Pennsylvania primary -- is considered by some in the party to be a chance for him to woo undecided voters.

"I'm an independent," said Cindy Matkan, a voter. "I want to hear what he has to say."

Along with vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden, Obama visited the Pennsylvania Biofuel Plant in Potter Township before speaking before about 3,000 who gathered in Beaver.

"There has never been a time since I've been around where so many people have been knocked down and this government has paid so little attention to the fact that they've been knocked down," Biden said.

Obama targeted presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, suggesting he is not connected with the lives of average Americans.

"John McCain just does not get what ordinary people here in Beaver, Pa., are going through," Obama said. "Here's a guy who said we've made great economic progress under President George W. Bush. I don't think you've seen that progress here in Beaver."

Tickets for the event were distributed in about a half hour after people lined up outside the campaign's Pittsburgh headquarters.

Darrell Felder and his fiancee, Rahshaan Martin, planned to attend with his 11-year-old daughter to, as they said, offer support and witness history.

"I am elated. That is a wonderful feeling. As a black man, as an intelligent man, as a man with strong leadership characteristics, it's just a wonderful feeling," Martin said.