Barack Obama addressed an AFL-CIO conference this morning in Philadelphia, just one day after Senator Clinton spoke at the same forum. Yesterday Senator Clinton was introduced to the theme song from the 1976 movie Rocky (Obama opted for his usual “City of Blinding Lights” by U2) and used the Rocky analogy in her speech.

“Well, could you imagine if Rocky Balboa had gotten half way up those Art Museum steps and said, ‘Well, I guess that’s about far enough?’ Let me tell you something, when it comes to finishing the fight, Rocky and I have a lot in common. I never quit. I never give up. And neither do the American people,” Clinton told the union members.

Today in response, Senator Obama said to those same union members, “I know there’s been some talk about Rocky Balboa over the last couple days. And you know, we all love Rocky.” The audience laughed. “The last time I checked, I was the underdog in this state,” he continued. Obama has consistently polled behind Senator Clinton here in the Keystone State, sometimes by as much as double digits.

And giving Clinton a reality check, Obama added, “We’ve got to remember that Rocky was a movie.”

It is just a movie, of course, but it should be noted that in the work of fiction, Rocky ends up losing the final bout in a split decision to his rival, Apollo Creed.

Senator Clinton has been telling Pennsylvania voters that she’s in this race to the very end to fight for them, and now she’s adopting the mantle of the Keystone State’s biggest fighter - Rocky Balboa.

In excerpts of a speech she’s set to give to the AFL-CIO in the City of Brotherly Love, Senator Clinton says “just as it’s getting time to vote here in Pennsylvania, Senator Obama says he’s getting tired of it. His supporters say they want it to end.”

“Well, could you imagine if Rocky Balboa had gotten half way up those Art Museum steps and said, “Well, I guess that’s about far enough?”

“Let me tell you something, when it comes to finishing the fight, Rocky and I have a lot in common. I never quit. I never give up. And neither do the American people.”

She also promises to take the fight to the Republican nominee. “I know taking on Senator McCain in November won’t be easy. The Republicans aren’t going to give up without a fight. And no matter how beautiful your rhetoric, the Republicans aren’t going to turn off their attack machine – it doesn’t have an off switch,” she says.

“But one thing you know about me is that when I say I’ll fight for you, I’ll fight for you. I know that there will be hurdles and setbacks between now and November. But I also know that I’m ready. I know what it’s like to stumble. I know what it means to get knocked down. But I’ve never stayed down, and I never will.”

Read the full excerpts below, including her plan to create 3 million new jobs rebuilding America’s infrastructure and a $10 billion emergency reconstruction fund.

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