Posted on 04/17/2008 6:49:25 PM PDT by TornadoAlley3
RALEIGH -- On the first day of early, one-stop voting in North Carolina, presidential hopeful Barack Obama was in the state hoping to win over voters. More than 2,000 people packed the Kerr Scott building on the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh for a town hall meeting with the Illinois senator.
“We absolutely believe this is the one,” said Robert Dear, an Obama supporter, as he waited in line to get into the town hall meeting. This wasn’t Dear’s first time seeing Obama speak in person. He and his family traveled to South Carolina last year to hear the presidential candidate. “This is the man that this country has been looking for,” he said with a smile.
While people waited in line to get into the building, volunteers reminded them they don't have to wait until May 6 to vote in the primary election. The Obama campaign even had shuttle buses available to take voters to early, one-stop voting sites.
Once inside, people had to wait for up to two hours for the town hall meeting to start. To pass the time, many cheered and chanted their support for Obama, giving the room a “pep rally” feel.
When Obama arrived, the pep rally felt more like a concert, with the presidential candidate being the superstar. The building exploded into applause, and the crowd jumped to its feet.
Presidential hopeful Barack Obama spoke to News 14 Carolina Thursday. Obama spoke about the economy, education, and ending the war in Iraq.
“We cannot wait to bring back good jobs and good wages to North Carolina,” he said. “We can't wait to bring this war in Iraq to a close. We can't wait and that's why I decided to run for president of the United States of America.”
“I think he's getting people engaged in the process,” said Katy Fitzgerald, an Obama supporter and volunteer. “I think that he is not taking lobbyist money and [Political Action Committee] money and I think that is a huge change that needs to take place in Washington.”
Obama didn't just win over fellow democrats. He converted some republicans as well.
“I'm an Obamican,” boasted Doctor Aal-Anubia, an Obama supporter. “I recently switched from a republican to unaffiliated or independent. I like the characteristics of both parties, but in this particular case I think the country needs a change and we need to look forward.”
While speaking with News 14 Carolina, Obama said he has no fears about missing out on a proposed April 27 debate in Raleigh and what impact that might have on the state’s voters.
“We offered to do a debate earlier and Senator Clinton declined to do it and at this point what we want to do is just make sure we've got the chance to talk to as many voters as possible,” he said.
The candidate worries the debates prevent him from focusing on key issues.
“At last night's debate we spent I think a minute each on gas prices,” said Obama of himself and Clinton. “I can tell you that when I talk to people in Greenville here I suspect they've got that on their minds, so one of the things we want to do is make sure whatever format we use we are responding as well as possible to the day-to-day concerns that are actually going to make a difference in people's lives.”
Obama speaking to a crowd in Raleigh on Thursday. As the coming N.C. primary looms, Obama said voters can expect to see plenty of him.
“Oh, we're going to be campaigning hard here,” he said. “We're going to be spending a lot of time. I suspect we'll have a lot of town hall meetings where people can ask me directly about their concerns.”
As for his wife Michelle – who has visited the state recently for his campaign – Obama says she gives as good of a stump speech as anyone.
“She's just got a good sense of humor,” he said. “She keeps me grounded to make sure I don't take myself too seriously which I think is important.”
Supporters hope by winning over more undecided and unaffiliated voters in North Carolina, Obama will win here in May, putting him closer to winning the national nomination.
North Carolina and Obama have a large, but common problem - Wright and Wright.
Obama and Clinton to appear on Colbert tonight
Caption Michelle (Colbert) thread (last night):
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2002220/posts?page=66
Sorry to interrupt :)
GREENVILLE, North Carolina (CNN) – Barack Obama taped an interview with Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central's 'Colbert Report' Thursday early evening to air later that night.
Obama will participated in the interview with Colbert via satellite after his event in Greenville, North Carolina.
Also set to appear on Thursday's program: Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/17/both-obama-clinton-to-appear-on-thursdays-colbert/
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