Campaign staffer Aaron Goldberg tapes up a few posters as a backdrop for the speaker’s area last night at the Clinton campaign office in Providence.

The Providence Journal / Kris Craig

PROVIDENCE — With just a few weeks to go before the state primaries, campaign organizers opened Sen. Hillary Clinton’s Rhode Island headquarters last night, encouraging supporters to get involved in the effort.

“We’re going to win this one the old-fashioned way you win an election in Rhode Island,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, cochairman said over the crowd’s cheers. “You get out there and you work and you win and you don’t let your person down.”

Whitehouse, along with U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin, are cochairs of the local campaign. The rally, held at the headquarters, 175 Broad St., brought out droves of supporters, who punctuated the speeches with hoots and hollers.

“There are so many outstanding Democrats in this room and across Rhode Island that are going to give Hillary Clinton a solid, decisive victory on March 4 and we’re counting on you,” Langevin said.

Attendees crammed shoulder to shoulder at the rally, carrying “I’m with Hillary Because:” signs, finishing the sentence with reasons such as “we all need healthcare,” “she is a leader,” and “she is the best, she is my inspiration.”

With the votes from the Hawaii and Wisconsin caucuses tallied, Rhode Island, which holds its primary March 4 along with Vermont, Texas and Ohio, may prove to be a decisive state for the Democratic presidential nominee. Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic front-runner, opened his headquarters on Westminster Street last week. Clinton plans to stump in the state on Sunday, while Obama has yet to confirm a visit to Rhode Island before the primary.

Democratic powerhouses came out en masse for the opening. Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, and state Rep. Grace Diaz, D-Providence, tag-teamed the rally, offering rapid fire support of Clinton’s initiatives and plans for reform should she win the presidency.

“I’m supporting Hillary not just because she’s a wonderful role model for women,” said Diaz, the newly appointed vice chairwoman of the Rhode Island Democratic Party and superdelegate. “It’s because she is right on all the issues that are important to my community, from the economy to immigration to health care. And she has a plan to have it done. We know she’s the right answer for our issues.”

Mingled among the supporters were Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis, Johnston Mayor Joseph M. Polisena, state Sen. Leonidas Raptakis, D-Coventry, former Providence Mayor Joseph R. Paolino Jr., Providence City Council President Peter Mancini, and Rep. Frank Ferri, D-Warwick.

“But those names don’t matter,” Whitehouse said after acknowledging the politicians. “It’s the people who will put their feet on the sidewalk and make this thing happen. So let’s make this thing happen.”

tbuford@projo.com