McCain casts himself as underdog

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)