FAYETTEVILLE—A number of prominent local Democrats are on the guest list.

Fayetteville Mayor Tony Chavonne is at the Barack Obama event, although he took pains to say that he is neutral in the presidential race, Rob Christensen reports.

The mayor of nearby Spring Lake, Ethel Clark, is also here, as it state Rep. Rick Glazier.

No word on Clark's thoughts, but Glazier said he is backing Obama.

"I've supported him for some time," he told Dome. "He has the capacity to bridge partisan and economic groups."

Also expected are state Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand, namesake of the student center where Obama is speaking, and Reps. Margaret Dickson of Fayetteville and Marvin Lucas of Spring Lake.

Not on the guest list: Three kids from Mebane.

Tina Salvatore, 18; Emily Mason, 17; and Joseph Byrd, 21, got up at 2:45 a.m., grabbed some sandwich meat and bread and drove three hours, thinking it was a public event.

Wearing homemade Obama T-shirts outside, they said they would listen to the speech on loudspeakers set up by Fayetteville Tech.

After that, they said they might go to the beach.