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Raleigh, North Carolina
Obama rallies thousands days before election season ends Candidate speaks on plans for economy, restoring confidence in government
“I’ve been waiting for him to come to Raleigh since he started campaigning,� she said. “I thought [his speech] was amazDerek Medlin & Ty Johnson ing. I was so excited he was fiManaging Editor & Deputy Sports Editor nally coming.� While Sen. Obama praised Sen. About 20,000 people packed John McCain for his service to Halifax Mall outside the Salis- the country, Obama denounced bury Street Government Com- McCain for his negative camplex Wednesday afternoon to paign tactics in recent weeks. hear Sen. Barack Obama speak at “He’s spending these last few an Early Vote for Change Rally. days calling me every name in Obama implored the heavily the book,� he said. “I’m sorry partisan crowd to vote early be- to see my opponent sink so low. fore he spoke That’s his choice. at length about That’s the kind the economy, of campaign he education and chose to run.� why he thinks Roberson said he is the best Oba ma d id a candidate to good job addressbecome t he ing the negative next president campaigning but Barack Obama on of the United not focusing on Republican rival McCain States. it. “In six days, “He didn’t foat this defincus on McCain ing moment in history, you can as much as McCain has focused give this country the change we on him,� Roberson said. “He need,� Obama told the crowd. addressed it, but I felt like this “And you don’t even have to rally was more about Obama’s wait six days to vote. You can campaign.� vote early right now.� Obama also told the crowd why Obama focused on the econ- he thought Sen. McCain was the omy and said he plans to do ev- wrong choice for president. erything in his power to fix the “Senator McCain says that we current crisis. can’t spend the next four years “We are in the middle of the waiting for our luck to change,� worst economic crisis since the Obama said.�But you underGreat Depression,� he said. “The stand that the biggest gamble we last thing we can afford is four can take is embracing the same more years of tired, old theory. old policies that have failed us That’s why I’m running for presi- for the last eight years. It hasn’t dent of the United States.� worked.� Paige Roberson, a senior in Britt Eller, a junior in politieconomics, said she was excited cal science who also attended for Obama to campaign in RaOBAMA continued page 3 leigh.
University restrictions similar to other schools’ UNC-Chapel Hill, ECU also have smaller Halloween events than in past years’ Chris Allred News Editor
“We’ve had eight years of what John McCain wants.�
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Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama speaks at the Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh.
OBAMA SIGHTS AND SOUNDS: Picketing Protester On Salisbury Street within earshot of Obama’s speech, an unidentified protester held a large sign depicting the presidential candidate in traditional Muslim garb. The protester, who refused to give his name, was asking Obama supporters to question his “Change� platform amidst boos and insults from the crowd. Though he said he would not be voting for Obama, he also insisted he was not a McCain supporter and was just there to voice his opinion.
Maverick makeover Sen. Obama mentioned in great detail Sen. McCain’s voting record concerning the economy in comparison to President George W. Bush. Noting the frequency that McCain voted with the president, Obama said, “He’s not a maverick, he’s a sidekick.�
Rooftop Security Attendants of the rally may have noticed activity on the roofs of the buildings surrounding Sen. Obama’s podium. Tight security at the event included airportlike searches and screenings and agents armed with binoculars on the roofs of the taller buildings. The security personnel scanned the crowd and airspace near the rally often during the two hour event.
Namecalling Obama said that in recent weeks, McCain had begun attacking his campaign with negative ads and namecalling. Concerning one claim by the McCain campaign that he was a socialist, Obama said “the next thing you know they’ll be calling me a secret communist for sharing my toys in kindergarten.� COMPILED BY TY JOHNSON
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Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate, is welcomed by the audience on the Halifax Mall, on Wednesday. Obama spoke on voting early, as North Carolina is vital to this election with its potential 15 electoral votes for either Barack Obama or his Republican contender, John McCain.
Huckabee speaks at GOP, Palin to visit State Fairgrounds
The University’s added restrictions for Halloween line up with trends at other state schools to localize their events. Raleigh Police is working with the University and Campus Police to restrict parking on campus and keep the Haunted Hillsborough Hike on a small scale. Most of the parking lots on campus will be accessible only to those with valid student IDs, a move that is similar to changes in Chapel Hill this year, according to Jonathan So, a junior in business management at UNCChapel Hill. “The main goal is to keep people from outside Chapel Hill out,� he said. After Halloween events on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill that drew in 80,000 students last year, the town has tried to cut down its festivities to keep it more local, and close earlier. “I’ve heard about people who were going to come from out of town but are not coming anymore,� So said. “The only thing I really think will change are people’s plans for coming from out of town.� So said he doubted many students would be going to other schools for Halloween. Campus Police will be manning posts with Raleigh Police to check IDs for parking, and all entrances to campus from Hillsborough Street, except Dan Allen Drive, will be inaccessible without an ID. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Tom Stafford had said after Franklin Street became unmanageable, the University wanted to avoid a similar situation by keeping people not affiliated with the University out. Kelly Young, a senior in recreational therapy at ECU, said Halloween events have declined in Greenville in recent years, but most people will still stay in town. “It’s been such a big thing for so long that most people are going to stay here,� she said. “We’ve been getting less people from out of town. It’s not what it used to be, but it’s still pretty crazy.� HALLOWEEN continued page 3
Republicans say they hope to bolster support for McCain during closing days
will take place at the State Fairgrounds. “This means that N.C. State students can see the right side Daniel Ellis of the aisle and not just the left,� Deputy News Editor Peter Barnes, a sophomore in forestry and executive director As the countdown to election of College Republicans, said. day continues, representatives “This is one of the first visfrom both parits specifically ties are making that Palin and final attempts the Republican to draw in votticket will be ers. making around Republican the N.C. State vice presidenarea rather than tia l nominee just in FayetteS a r a h Pa l i n ville and WilmAaron Dancy, vice chair of ington.� will return to Students for McCain Raleigh SaturPalin’s visit day as part of will be her secthe “Road to Victory Rally.� The ond in less than a week to the event is scheduled for 6 p.m. and state. Last Sunday, she also at-
“Huckabee did a good job endorsing McCain.�
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tended a rally in Asheville. “This was a very successful rally that really helped Palin and McCain connect with voters in the other part of state,� Barnes said. Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee made an appearance at the GOP Headquarters Raleigh Victory Office Wednesday. The rally was a good boost of enthusiasm for Republican supporters, according to Aaron Dancy, vice chair of Students for McCain. “Huckabee did a good job endorsing McCain and with building energy and enthusiasm from all the volunteers,� Dancy said. “He is going to each of the GOP areas to motivate the volunteers because this election is tightenREPUBLICAN continued page 3
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Pack men beat Longwood MEREDITH FAGGART/TECHNICIAN FILE PHOTO
Heather Forbis, a junior in radiology from UNC-CH, volunteers at the North Carolina Republican Party Headquarters on Hillsborough Street. She was one of the top three volunteers in a contest at the headquarters to make the most phone calls in a few-day time span and got to meet Sarah Palin. “[Palin] was a really nice, genuine person and it was [wonderful] that she took the time to talk with us when she could have been doing something with the campaign,� Forbis said.
story. See page 8.
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