Barack Obama was in Charlotte today and even I was shocked at the size of the crowd. I got in line about 8:30 am, gates didn't open till 11:00 am, and there was already a line 2 city blocks long. A reader at the Charlotte Observer blog sent in this pic.
Notice the street sign say' 9th street. The Rally was held at 4th street, so you can see the line stretched beyond 9th street to get in at 11:30. The Charlotte Fire Dept estimated the crowd size:
The Obama campaign said the Charlotte Fire Department estimated the crowd at 20,000 inside the gates, plus 5,000-10,000 outside.
The crowd got so large, they lifted the barriers to areas that had previously been cordoned off to try and accomodate the overflow. Some people even started breaking through hedges and climbing low walls just to be able to hear him:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/...
People from all over the state came to see Obama. Some had never attended a political rally in their lives.
http://obsprimary.blogspot.com/
Alton Hancock and his wife Jane drove down from Black Mountain. Because of their age, they were given chairs against the protective fence on the grass in front of old City Hall. It was their first-ever presidential rally.
"I've never been so thrilled with a candidate for president as I am with this man," said Hancock, 76. "He's got intellect, heart, temperment and an understanding of all the people."
And some even skipped CHURCH to go! Here in the south, that's sayin' something about just how important this election is:
Gregory Carter, 56, skipped his usual place in his church choir for the rally.
"I've been seeing him on TV," said Carter, a retired teacher from Rock Hill. "But I wanted to see him live and in person."
Also skipping church, and the Panther game, was P.J. Jones of Charlotte, a counselor with the state.
"I know I'm seeing something important and historic," said Jones, 53. "Our country needs to wake up and put real issues that affect America before race, creed and culture."
And this is the man they came to see. Smiling, happy and ready to be our next President!
NC may be a red state, but there's a lotta love for Barack here. McCain may be in for a surprise on Nov. 4th.
Here's some more pics. This is of the overflow outside of the gated area:
And people standing in line waiting to get through security. The vendors that were set up made a killing today.
Here's a good pic showing the crowd from CNN:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com...