RALEIGH - They came in droves, by foot, by car, by school bus. Armed with cameras and cell phones, they came ready to capture the images of the man they hoped will capture the White House in less than a week.
More than 20,000 supporters poured into Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh Wednesday afternoon to watch Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama deliver his closing argument to voters.
There was no shortage of creativity among the crowd's shows of support. A group of retirees proudly donned their "Girlfriends Against Palin" T-shirts, while others showcased their Tupac and Warhol Obama paraphernalia.
"I have two words for you, North Carolina: six days," Obama said. "We can't afford to slow down, sit back or let up for one day, one minute or one second in this last week. Not now. Not when so much is at stake."
Many waited hours in line in the cold to enter the venue, including several Duke students, who said they jumped at the chance to see the candidate in person about a half-hour from campus.
"Honestly, I have never really been that big into politics, but Obama has always interested me because of his powerful rhetoric and speaking ability," senior MK Pope said. "It was so much more so powerful-so much more than I even thought... I don't even have words."
Obama once again hammered home his economic policies in his seventh visit to the state.
North Carolina has emerged as a surprise battleground in this year's general election, with Monday's Rasmussen poll indicating that Obama and GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain are in a dead heat.
"When it comes to the economy, when it comes to the central issue of this election, the plain truth is that John McCain has stood with this President [George W. Bush] every step of the way," Obama said. "He hasn't been a maverick. He's been a sidekick.... The biggest risk we can take is to embrace the same old policies that have failed us over the last eight years."
In addition, Obama spent a considerable portion of his address defending himself against the McCain campaign's characterization of his proposed tax cuts as "socialist."
"I don't know what's next. By the end of the week, he'll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in kindergarten," Obama said. "Don't let him bamboozle you."
McCain campaign spokesperson Tucker Bounds offered a swift rebuttal in a statement after the rally.
"No one cares what Barack Obama does with his toys, but Americans do care that he wants to raise taxes, add a trillion dollars in new spending and redistribute your hard-earned paycheck as he sees fit," he said.
Obama emphasized that his own economic policies will ensure prosperity for all hard-working Americans.
"That ain't right," he said repeatedly, referring to McCain's tax policies that he said would continue to benefit the wealthy.
Obama also paid homage to the supporters who have followed him throughout the unusually long campaign season.
"We began this journey in the depths of winter nearly two years ago, on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Ill.," he said. "Twenty-one months later, my faith in the American people has been vindicated. That's how far we've come-because of you. That's how we'll change this country-with your help."
In the frenzied run up to Election Day, supporters said they were not afflicted with campaign fatigue.
"I think that the urgency part of it is wanting it over with and seeing him in [the White House]," Obama supporter Daladier Miller said. "Just get through it."
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