Long lines - Lawson Kurtz/The Chronicle
The Obama rally in Raleigh today brought out a massive crowd. About 28,000 showed up to see the Democratic candidate speak just six days before the Big Day. But perhaps thousands more who couldn’t get in to the mall stayed loyally to hear Obama’s voice reverberate through speakers placed strategically around the confines.
Throngs of hopeful attendees, bundled in heavy coats and scarves, meshed into several loose lines that wrapped around the mall. Though some gave up early and found choice spots close to speakers, many stood patiently in line until officials deemed no more bodies could be squeezed in.
“We gave up. We didn’t get downtown until about 10:30 [a.m.]…. We walked to where the line was still about four more blocks long, and that’s when we turned around, and I said, ‘Well, at least we can get closer and listen,” said Rebecca Lopez from Raleigh, who brought her six-year-old daughter to the rally.
Announced only a couple days prior, the event today drew many Triangle residents on a spur-of-the-moment decision. Kolt Lmulm, who did not vote for Obama in early voting, said he heard about the rally Wednesday morning and came from his work downtown to check out the event. Several others also told The Chronicle they came with a group of co-workers from their offices down the street (the rally was held at the Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh). And students at Broughton High School in Raleigh said they were excused to attend the rally, many hearing about it only this morning.
Check out this photo slideshow by Lawson Kurtz for pictures of Obama at the podium and, of course, the crowd.
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain held a rally in Fayetteville Tuesday, drawing 8,200 people to the Crown Center. He was preceded by country singer Hank Williams Jr., who sang a song he penned in support of McCain. Former Pennsylvania Governor and Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge, Sen. Richard Burr of N.C., Sen. Lindsey Graham of S.C. and Cindy McCain also appeared at the event.
John McCain - Zachary Tracer/The Chronicle
Look for full coverage from Julius Jones in Wednesday’s Chronicle and check out my Chronicle slideshow by following this link.
Bob Barr - Max Masnick/The Chronicle
Or he may as well have. While the Libertarian Presidential Candidate spoke to a crowded room in Social Sciences, there may have been a much larger turnout—possibly filling Page Auditorium—if the event had been more aggressively advertised. Regardless, the press was in abundance, being represented by several television networks and several newspaper reporters and photographers.
After his introduction by Libertarian gubernatorial candidate and Duke professor Mike Munger, Barr explained failures of the two parties in two recent cases: the passage of the FISA amendments and the plethora of bailouts spilling out of Congress these days. In addition to these, Barr argued that neither party had any initiative to set real limits on the executive branch because each knew that it would be controlling the White House sooner or later. When Bush has told this Democratic Congress to do something, Barr said Congress has not only done it, but it has bent over and said: “Thank you, sir, may I have another?”
Overall, Barr was sharp (in both speech and dress) and articulate. His rhetoric was persuasive, in the vein of “a government by the people, for the people, of the people.” His rhetorical figures were also backed up with examples.
Barr made the case that third parties have something to say that is consonant with the experiences of your typical citizen.
As an aside, Bob Barr shook my hand, and it was exhilarating.
Bob Barr - Max Masnick/The Chronicle
With one week left before election day, North Carolina has clearly solidified its status as a bona fide swing state. The two major presidential candidates are planning trips to the Tar Heel State. Republican Sen. John McCain will attend a rally in Fayetteville today and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama plans to speak in Raleigh Wednesday. To top things off, Libertarian candidate Bob Barr will speak in 139 Social Sciences Building at 5 p.m. today. Check back with The Chronicle’s Election 2008 Blog for updates all this week.
