Barack Obama is campaigning in my great state of North Carolina today. On the (tar)heels of the General Colin Powell endorsement, Obama spoke to supporters in Fayetteville, home to the naton's largest military base, Ft. Bragg.
Obama won over loud cheers with his pie story when he mentioned, "sweet potato pie" a favorite in the state, but his most poignant moment of the speech was when he slammed McCain for calling him a socialist.
Obama Slams McCain for Calling him a Socialist
It has been over three decades since North Carolinians have shown a Democratic Presidential candidate as much support as Obama has. A Democratic Presidential candidate has not won the state since 1976 yet Obama is polling ahead of McCain.
Early voting numbers are also very encouraging for Barack Obama. Approximately 100,000 have participated in early voting. Over 60% of the turn out thus far are Democrats with only 30% Republicans. 36% of early voters are African Americans, already doubling the African American turnout from 2004.
It wont be easy to swing North Carolina but with an uprecedented Democratic Presidential ground game, record numbers of new voter registrations and Obama's NC primary win, it looks very hopeful!
Even so, Obama isn't taking anything for granted. By visiting North Carolina only 16 days before the election, he's here to close the deal. And he's closing the deal not with just the more liberal voters of the state, but today he's in a red area, Fayetteville, home of Ft. Bragg and many military families and soldiers.
Obama opened up his speech by discussing a great soldier, an American hero, General Colin Powell, whose endorsement came this morning. For more on Powell's endorsement, see icebergslim's recommended diary.
Obama on Colin Powell's Endorsement: I am beyond honored. I am deeply humbled.
While some speculate that endorsements don't have that much impact, Powell's endorsement is significant. No doubt, it will bear some effect on undecided Independents.
Powell's endorsement reflected the growing disapproval of McCain's sleazy campaign tactics, the fear of four more years of the same, and the need for unity, not division at this critical time in our history.
Powell offered a compelling example of the need for unity and a celebration of diversity with his description of a fallen U.S. soldier, Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan.
Colin Powell on Fallen U.S. Soldier Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan & Country Unity
Colin Powell is a controversial figure among some progressives, but his words today on respecting diversity, calling for unity and his endorsement of Barack Obama were much welcomed.
Transcript of Full Obama Fayetteville Speech
UPDATE: Voter Name Calls Obama in Diner in NC. H/T Kitty
McCain's attack on Obama as being "different," a foreigner/Muslim/terrorist/traitor/socialist continues to be picked up by a few radical McCain-Palin supporters. Today in NC, a McCain supporter name calls Obama. Another diner patron, quickly tells the person to "shut up."
Here's the clip:
Thanks to those who have posted the politico link that goes into more detail about this name caller. Apparently, she believes that Obama is a muslim. The ignorance and hate is astounding.