newsobserver.com projects - Obama slams McCain in Charlotte - Comments

Re: Obama slams McCain in Charlotte

riverrd — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:31:23 -0400

Speaking as one who was on the outside of the roped off area, there were 20,000 plus IN the roped off area while 5,000 PLUS of us were outside not able to enter because of the huge crowd. It was a wonderful atmosphere! I know the repoblican "candidate" John Cheney McBush could NOT draw that many people!

Re: Obama slams McCain in Charlotte

danbesse — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:29:06 -0400

Ryan, I can't help observing that 20,000 is more than 15,000. The reference then shouldn't be "the largest rally in the Queen City since 15,000 turned out to hear Bill Clinton in 1992" but instead the largest since 40,000 turned out to hear Ronald Reagan in 1984, topping the 15,000 who came out for Clinton in 1992. I'd say that's an encouraging comparison for Obama this year--Clinton nearly won NC in 1992, and Obama's outperforming him now.

Obama slams McCain in Charlotte

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:06:55 -0400

Barack Obama linked John McCain to Wall Street's recent troubles Sunday.

Speaking before 20,000 at a rally in Charlotte, the Democratic presidential candidate argued that Republicans have created "an era of greed and irresponsibility on Wall Street and in Washington."

"They said they wanted to let the market run free, but instead they let it run wild," Obama said. "And now we are facing a financial crisis as profound as any we have faced since the Great Depression."

It was the largest rally in the Queen City since 15,000 turned out to hear Bill Clinton in 1992, though about 40,000 came to a South Charlotte rally for President Ronald Reagan in 1984.

Speaking in the heart of the country's second biggest banking center, Obama called the federal government's proposed $700 billion Wall Street bailout "sobering."

A McCain spokesman criticized Obama for offering few detailed proposals. (Char-O)