A long line ringed the block around Broughton High School Wednesday morning as hundreds of people streamed into the school's gym for the president's town hall.
Protestors and supporters of President Barack Obama's health care reform set up outside the event.
"ObamaCare wrong for NC," read one sign near Smallwood Drive. "Freedom isn't free. Neither is ObamaCare," read another.
On St. Mary's Street, supporters held up signs as well. "I can't afford MS," read one.
Many members of the state's Democratic establishment were in the crowd. Reps. Deborah Ross, Pricey Harrison and Verla Insko and Sen. Josh Stein were in the gym. State pary chairman David Young greeted VIPs near the stage which was set up with American flags as a backdrop.

Comments
Re: Protestors, supporters line Obama event
July 30, 2009 - 7:13am — captainjackI support universal healthcare. I am obese and have high cholesterol and high blood pressure. My doctor tells me to stop smoking and lose over 100 pounds. But I believe in freedom. So I will continue to smoke and eat doughnuts and be fat. Thank you, President Obama, for protecting my freedom and giving me free healthcare. I should not have to lose weight and lead a healthy lifestyle. I should be free and enjoy the government doing for me. I'm too fat to work so I think you should tax those who are healthy enough to work so that I can lie around and eat. And I would suggest, Mr. President, that you get some more game shows on during the day. I like the soaps but more games shows would be nice. And free beer would be kind. Thank you, Mr. President.
P.S. Mr. President, can I use Food Stamps to get my General Motors Cadillac serviced? And I'd like a loaner car. Thanks again.
Re: Protestors, supporters line Obama event
July 30, 2009 - 6:29am — weeksgroove"Ever notice how Obama always has his "town hall" meetings in the middle of a workday? Is this a way to minimize the number of productive citizens who will be available to have their "voices heard"? Why are his hand picked attendees not busy at work?"
Anybody can attend his meetings. Tickets were available through public offerings.
Another Conservative misinformation post. As your girl pailin said... "Stop making things up." Argue truth.
Re: Protestors, supporters line Obama event
July 30, 2009 - 6:22am — weeksgroove"Health Care is a commodity, not a right! Say it ten times a day"
Then neither is making money, but we defend that until we are black and blue.
Stop being a greedy, self-serving conservative monster and open you mind a bit. There is no way our nation, any nation, can survive or prosper without healthcare. Eventually, those that have not will out number those that have... which is when strife/war/unrest breaks out. We watch it over and over and over again throughout the world. Nations, Companies, countries...this happens to them all becuase one group thinks they are superior to another and uses it's power to establish legislation and practices to keep them in power.
Universal Healthcare is cheaper, better and covers everyone.
Do some research. I'll get you started..
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Single+Payer+Healthcare
and
http://www.pnhp.org/
Re: Protestors, supporters line Obama event
July 29, 2009 - 1:56pm — msilverstoneI am not commenting on "opposition" in general. If course our democracy is about meaningful dialog. My comment is about "THIS opposition."
Re: Protestors, supporters line Obama event
July 29, 2009 - 11:37am — paineintheneckEver notice how Obama always has his "town hall" meetings in the middle of a workday? Is this a way to minimize the number of productive citizens who will be available to have their "voices heard"? Why are his hand picked attendees not busy at work?
Re: Protestors, supporters line Obama event
July 29, 2009 - 11:12am — WuptdoI wish there had been more time to organize even more protesters for the visit of President "Change the Teleprompter." No doubt the State's Demokrats and the local left-wing Moonbats were all prepared to knee and sing the praises of "ObamaCare." Intersting choice for location? Why not the $321 million dollar "White Elephant" in downtown Raleigh? That way, even more Moonbats could "awed" by one so much greater than them.
I hope the Gov. Bev has a chance for a little back-room action and beg her Lord for more money, so we don't have any higher taxes.
Health Care is a commodity, not a right! Say it ten times a day!
Re: Protestors, supporters line Obama event
July 29, 2009 - 11:05am — henryeI am white, I did not vote for Obama,Not because he was Half Black,But because he was being over whelmingly supported by many socialist, The Country is basically Broke,The reason all this talk about racism in this country today is because the media, especially the socialist electronic media, just can't seem to shut up about Race, they are doing more harm to Race relations, than good. If I were Black I would be just like other Blacks I would really believe Racism exists, where it actually does not
When I talk to people I never think about Race, and I do not think most other people do either, as long as they keep fanning Race the more they are poloarizing our citizens i think most people are opposed to Obamas Health plan is because they do not think this country can afford it.
For-profit Czars are good, right?
July 29, 2009 - 10:57am — RonBIt is sad that the very people who desperately cling to the notion of a "free market" willfully ignore the fact that right here, right now, profit-driven private insurance companies are denying claims, thanks in part to monopolistic, hyper-inflated health care providers.
Everything they don't want the government to do (and has yet to do) is being done on a daily basis by their corporate messiahs and false prophet, for-profit "protestors".
It comes down to do we as a country serve our citizens, or serve our corporate masters? It is sad that some people, for whatever reasons, want to return to the plantation under the broken promises that their employers and the "free market" will provide anything at-cost.
Re: Protestors, supporters line Obama event
July 29, 2009 - 10:57am — ncsurocksI think it is wonderful to see citizens voicing their opinions about the President's proposed Health Care reform. Whether you support or oppose reform, our freedom to peacefully gather in opposition or support of our governing bodies is undeniably a beautiful part of Democracy. The strength of this Democracy rests in the people exercising their rights and voicing their concerns in a civilized manner, not blindly following the crowd in the acceptance of a policy or program they may not entirely agree with for one reason or another. Don't be so quick to make opposition sound so negative just because YOU agree with the issue at hand. With ANY major issue, there is going to be opposition on both sides of the aisle, not just the GOP.
As for my opinion, I am trying to become as informed as possible about health care reform. What I do know, is that I am a 23 year-old male who eats right, exercises, and takes the steps most people are capable of taking to remain healthy. I found a quote from a young man in a similar life position I find myself in today that I believe sums up my feelings on health care reform...
"I work full time. I live on my own. I pay my own bills. I go to the gym four days a week. I choose to eat healthy. I choose not to drink or smoke. I choose not to pay for health insurance. I save as much money as possible. I don’t owe anyone anything. I’m not “in this” with anyone. I take full responsibility for my actions. If something happens to me and I’m not able to pay for it my only choice is to rely on charity. The government cannot legislate charity. I take the constitution and bill of rights literally. I have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I do not have a right to a job. I do not have a right to medical benefits. I do not have a right to social security. I do not have a right to your money, nor do you have a right to mine. I was born with the same opportunities as everyone else in this country. My life is not perfect, and neither am I. I make bad decisions but I don’t ask you to pay for them. Each day is a gift from my Creator and I try and use it for His glory. I live in the greatest country in the world. It is great because it is free. I am free to be poor, rich, miserable, happy, strong, weak, dumb, smart, saved, or damned. What have you chosen?"
I know I cannot speak for those Americans with terminal illnesses, or those Americans who can no longer take care of themselves. However, I know that with all good intention the government has, problems will arise that will cost Americans more in the long run if Health Care is nationalized.
How many North Carolinians shouldn't have health care?
July 29, 2009 - 10:50am — RonBRight now, we're at 21%, more than 1 in 5 people don't have the right to see a doctor. President Obama is trying to fix this, while the GOP is working hard to stall and maintain the status quo.
Thanks to the last "CEO President", small businesses have to pay more for identical coverage and insurers can deny claims while extracting higher fees.
It is sad that the opponents think health care isn't a right, but a privlidge that should only be exteneded to the wealthy. And their definition of "wealthy" changes by the quarter to exclude more and more Americans.
The President wants to mend race relations, and several other world conflicts, by brining the different sides to a table, talk about the issues, and work to making them not happen again.
I for one am glad the police didn't use the "shoot first and ask questions later" technique employed in Iraq by the previous administration.
Follow-up efforts in Iraq (moving American forces out of the cities) and Cambridge (education on both sides) is positive, not something to be ashamed of. For people who refuse to look at the evidence provided by anyone not affiliated with Fox News, these positives and health care reform will look unattractive.
Re: Protestors, supporters line Obama event
July 29, 2009 - 10:49am — hughfonObama the Messiah favors speed in passing all these "crisis" bills, never enough time to actually read the bills....I'm Late,I'm Late...like the Rabbit with the Clock in Alice in Wonderland. Make momentous decisions in haste, repent and greive at your leisure. This guy hates Capitalism, hates our Constitution and makes it his business to spread class warfare at every opportunity. We are already repenting and greiving about the first "crisis" bill, the $750 BILLLION bailout bill, sold under one set of claims, filled with pork, earmarks and fraud, lots of our money for ACORN, and not a penny spent for the stated purpose. Insanity may be defined as expecting a different result while continuing the exact same actions.
For my Insane Chapel Hill friends and other lefties, I am delighted to be able to tell you that we citizens have learned our lesson...and it only cost $750 Big Ones. Never again!
We have read this bill, in all its variations...and it stinks. 15 Million Illegals with FREE HEALTHCARE. What signal do you think this sends to the Central Americans who have not yet crossed our Southern Border? What would you expect as end-of-life advice from a government agent? Exactly how do I explain to my aging mother her DUTY TO DIE, no hip replacement...just take the pain pill.
This monstrosity will give the USA CENTRALLY PLANNED HEALTHCARE, with government enforced "Progressive Values"...government-encouraged abortion, government-encouraged euthenasia, daily class attacks from the president and his CZARS. Think carefully again...what kind of country do you want for yourself, your Mother...and your children??
Re: Protestors, supporters line Obama event
July 29, 2009 - 10:44am — Taxpayer2008"How can this opposition make our Democracy stronger?"
THAT is funny! Like when Bush was president?
This should be on Conan O'Brien
Re: Protestors, supporters line Obama event
July 29, 2009 - 10:25am — ThoughtCrimesI'm so glad Obama brought us all together,
race relations? Mission accomplished
Budget? Destroyed.
socialized health kontrol? Something half of us can agree on!
Jobs? Who needs jobs!
Pick some more super polarizing issues.
At least he ended all those nasty wars and closed Gitmo. oh wait. that's right... record deployments and record bloodshed. Hmmm. and we're trying that old extraordinary rendition trick... only no one wants the terrorists... gitmo stands.
Re: Protestors, supporters line Obama event
July 29, 2009 - 10:03am — blackdogThe opposition can only further divide us. As the GOP has become a set of divisions, our citizens are just as polarized. Our healthcare system NEEDS reforms. Most people don't realize the power of the insurance and pharmaceutical industries. Our education system fails to teach us so many things which affect our lives. The insurance industry, PACs, and lobby groups, provide all they want us to know and understand.
Re: Protestors, supporters line Obama event
July 29, 2009 - 9:49am — msilverstoneI am proud of my President and what he seeks to accomplish for all Americans, and I am saddened by the lack of thought and honesty which is championed by his opposition. I am continually amazed by the ignorance of those espousing the opposition arguments. How can this opposition make our Democracy stronger?