Reynolds Coliseum

Obama's victory speech in Raleigh

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 06 May 2008 23:29:19 -0400

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama thanked supporters and once again spoke of uniting supporters on uniting the Democratic Party Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh. (Staff video by Travis Long)

The unofficial superdelegates

estephenson — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:49:27 -0400

Barack Obama has the support of at least two unofficial superdelegates.

Varnette Tetterton and Kassaundra Lockhart, both of Raleigh, said they have been to four of five recent events held in the Triangle by Barack and Michelle Obama.

"We're like the unofficial superdelegates," said Tetterton, who arrived at NC State's Reynolds Coliseum almost three hours before the doors opened. "And we volunteer too."

Lockhart said she is thrilled that Obama won big in North Carolina.

"This is just awesome that North Carolina came out and supported Barack Obama," she said. "It's been kind of overwhelming."

Moms and Dads for Obama

estephenson — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:07:56 -0400

Moms and dads were in the crowd for Barack Obama.

Ilina Ewen, clad in a tTshirt reading "Obama mammas," said the Illinois senator's campaign has provided her with an opportunity to educate her two sons about civic duties.

"It's an opportunity to bring our children into the fold of civic responsibility," the Raleigh mother said, explaining that her parents always stressed the importance of voting. "It is our right, it is our duty and it is our responsibility."

Ewen and friends Molly and Will Feichter recently made a video about parents supporting Obama to distribute to friends. The video also is posted on Ewen's blog, dirt&noise.

Will Feichter said Obama's campaign also has allowed him to talk to his three children about difficult issues such as race. He said the family watched Obama's race speech in Pennsylvania together.

"The issues are complicated, and they need to be looked at from all angles," he said. "This is the first candidate that I've really believed speaks to Americans as if we are adults."

Barack, Pack backer?

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:26:38 -0400

Barack Obama is apparently a Wolfpack-backer.

As he took the podium to loud cheers at N.C. State's Reynolds Coliseum tonight to give a victory speech in the state presidential primary, Obama made the "Wolfpack sign" at the crowd.

That drew a few extra cheers, though it may have cost him some votes in Chapel Hill.

Color confusion at Obama rally

estephenson — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:08:02 -0400

The ushers at Barack Obama's rally seem to have their colors confused.

The ushers are wearing red sport coats like the ones N.C. State basketball coach Sidney Lowe wears to games.

But Obama is a Democratic candidate, and his party's color is blue. These days, red means Republican.

On the other hand, blue banners hang behind four sections of balcony seats in Reynolds Coliseum, so maybe N.C. State made enough compromises for one night.

No cheers yet at Reynolds Coliseum

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:33:31 -0400

At N.C. State University's Reynolds Coliseum, where Barack Obama will speak later tonight, the big screen TVs are on and NBC just projected Obama as the winner of the North Carolina primary.

Usually when this happens on primary nights, the Obama crowds go wild, Margaret Talev reports.

But it’s only 7:30 p.m. — they haven't even started letting the cheering section in yet. It's just several dozen journalists and a scattering of Obama campaign volunteers and organizers.

So instead of the usual waves of sustained roaring and cheering, there are little burst of "woo-hoo" and clapping over on the right-hand side of the still mostly-empty room.

Obama to hold rally in Raleigh

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:32:42 -0400

Barack Obama will hold a rally on Election Night in Raleigh.

The Democratic presidential candidate and his wife, Michelle, will hold an Election Night Party at Reynolds Coliseum at N.C. State.

The event is by invitation only, though the coliseum seats more than 14,000.

Doors open at 8 p.m. — a half hour after the polls close.

Hillary Clinton will hold her Election Night rally in Indiana.

M. Obama draws 5,700 in Raleigh

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:30:30 -0400

Michelle Obama drew a crowd of around 5,700 in Raleigh Wednesday.

Speaking at the Reynolds Coliseum at N.C. State, she argued that her husband was "ready to lead" as president.

The Obama campaign said that the crowd was the largest she has received on her own, easily topping a crowd of 2,500 at Villanova University in Philadelphia. (She has drawn larger crowds when appearing with Oprah Winfrey.)

She said Barack Obama was a proven winner despite competing against "a political dynasty," raising records amounts of money, collecting the most delegates and closing the superdelegate gap with Hillary Clinton.

"Barack has won more states, and he has won in all in kinds of states — big states and small states, red states and blue states, and swing states. He won in primaries and caucuses," she said. "When was the last time you saw a candidate who could cobble together such diverse victories in states as Utah and Washington State, and Louisiana and Virginia, and Montana and Illinois?"

Her appearances in metropolitan areas contrasted with Bill Clinton's recent tour of rural North Carolina. (N&O)