If you're looking to gauge Obama's chances of winning the NC primary, there is certainly no shortage of polling to suggest that he will carry the state. But if you want solid proof that North Carolina is Obama Country, consider this: Michelle Obama's appearance in Raleigh yesterday drew a record-breaking crowd of over 5,500 people.
From UNC-Chapel Hill's The Daily Tar Heel:
Dan Leistikow, a spokesman for the Obama campaign, said the event attracted 3,000 more people than Michelle Obama had ever before brought in when speaking by herself.
The Raleigh News & Observer gives a slightly higher number:
"The thing we have to understand in this race, North Carolina, is that Barack Obama is ready to lead," Michelle Obama told a crowd at Reynolds Coliseum that the fire marshal put at 5,700.
5,500. 5,700. What's 200 more or less amongst friends?
Earlier in the day, Michelle spoke in Winston-Salem to a crowd estimated at "over 1,000" by the N&0 and "about 2000" by the AP.
If the first day of Mrs. Obama's North Carolina tour can be taken as any kind of indicator, Obama should have no worries about generating excitement down here. Even the mainstream news outlets seem to be picking up the story.
(note: I did a search but could not find this previously diaried. If someone has already done so, I will delete. Just wanted to share the happy news)