Gov. Beverly Perdue will lead a town hall on education.

Perdue will lead an hourlong discussion on education and workforce development at Cape Fear Community College on Wednesday, starting at 3:30 p.m.

She will be joined by Dr. Scott Ralls, president of the N.C. Community College System, and Dr. Bill Harrison, chairman and CEO of the State Board of Education.

The meeting is open to the public.

John McCain cast himself as the underdog Monday.

In a rally attended by 2,500 people at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, the Republican presidential candidate said that Democrat Barack Obama is "measuring the drapes" in the White House.

"Friends, we got them just where we want them," he said. "What America needs in this hour is a fighter." (N&O)

The event had originally been billed as a "town hall meeting" where voters could ask questions, and McCain said in his speech that he would take questions. But when he finished his speech, speakers blared the theme from "Rocky." 

McCain shook hands with several members of the crowd, then left for two television interviews. (GN-R) 

A banner that read "NO BAMA!" was briefly posted outside that showed images of Obama, Osama bin Laden and former state Rep. Thomas Wright. It was unclear who posted it and it was quickly taken down. (W-SJ)

Beulaville artist Rodney Hall lined up oversized portraits of McCain, Obama and a number of former presidents along a fence across from the college. Some attendees lined up for snapshots between the portraits. (WS-N)

The crowd at Cape Fear Community College is engaged.

At various points during Republican presidential candidate John McCain's speech today, the crowd of about 2,000 periodically chanted "John McCain" and stomped the floorboards of the risers.

A few also took the chance to yell out things during quiet moments.

After McCain described the difficulties the country faces: "That's why we need you!"

After he noted that he had served in the military: "Thank you John!"

Randomly during the speech: "You're a fighter John."

After he described fear as a "thief in the night," one crowd member shouted "It's Obama!" garnering a couple scattered laughs.

The crowd also booed heavily a few times after McCain mentioned Obama and once after he said that "the national media has written us off."

After McCain said that it was time to "stand up and fight" for the country, the entire audience stood up at once.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain makes his first post-primary trip to North Carolina Monday when he holds a town hall meeting in Wilmington.

McCain will speak at Cape Fear Community College's Schwartz Center. Doors open at noon, Jim Morrill reports.

It will be McCain's first public appearance in the state since May and follows by a week a visit to Greenville by his running mate Sarah Palin.

McCain's wife, Cindy, will be the grand marshall of the Bank of America 600 tomorrow in Concord.

"John McCain is excited about bringing his Country First message to the Tar Heel state on Monday," said spokesman Mario Diaz. "Hardworking families in North Carolina are supporting John McCain and pushing him to victory in November because he has a plan to get our economy back on track by keeping our taxes low and controlling government spending."

McCain's opponent, Democrat Barack Obama, has made three visits to North Carolina in the last two weeks. Polls show a tight race in the state.

Tickets for Monday's event are available at the Wilmington Victory Office starting at noon Saturday.