Video: Unable To Attend President's Speech, Obama Fans Fill The Streets Of Charlotte

Thousands of people crowded the sidewalks of Charlotte on the last night of the Democratic National Convention. Originally scheduled for the Bank of America Stadium, which holds 73,000 people, President Barack Obama's speech was moved indoors to the Time Warner Arena, a much smaller venue. The official reason for moving the venue was projected rainy weather, which had plagued the convention off and on all week.

Pundits are reporting that the venue was changed because Democrats could not fill the stadium, but hundreds-- if not thousands-- of people milled about on Charlotte's sidewalks or watched speeches at the outdoor MSNBC stage or inside bars, restaurants, and the convention center.

The street scene was carnival-like with dozens of vendors selling t-shirts, buttons, American flags, programs, and other Obama memorabilia. Although thousands of disappointed but amicable Obama fans, plus police, pedicabs, and a handful of protesters filled the area outside of the arena, the aura was peaceful and friendly, as it had been all week.

 

 

 

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Comments

[KKojei]

04:40 AM on 09/20/2012

Ok. Now that is really becoming weird. Romney supporters...supporters!!! mind you, won't speak on the record about why Romney's their man. Sad!!!

[JHannley]

03:58 PM on 09/07/2012

I saw VP Biden and Pres. Obama last night on PBS. Some times serendipity plays its hand as it did last night when you were unable to gain entrance to the arena. As a result, you were able to bring us the very interesting video of the streets outside. You did an excellent job trying to engage the several Romney supporters. It was very telling that none of them would speak to you. They appeared to be, as a result, cardboard cutouts of people holding signs rather than people really engaged in the political process.

[Daniel Simon]

03:06 PM on 09/07/2012

Why were those Romney supporters afraid to speak for their convictions? I mean, did they really expect to not have people show their disapproval towards their views at the DNC?

[jai0730]

10:31 AM on 09/08/2012

I thought it was weird that they wouldn't talk at all. The other protesters I approached were more than willing to express their opinions on camera. Later I wondered if the Romney campaigned hired some college kids just to stand there with protest signs. I passed them again and took a shot with my still camera; they all looked away or looked down, as if they didn't want to be associated with the opinions expressed on their signs. Their signs are so counterintuitive, also. How is a candidate who wants to eliminate Pel grants going to help with college tuition debt?