Pool Report of Obama Speaking to Raleigh Overflow Crowd

POOL REPORT

Raleigh, NC overflow

April 17, 2008

Sen. Obama said that a win in North Carolina might “wrap up this nomination.”

SUMMARY:

Obama walked out to the overflow with Congressman G.K. Butterfield. He took a quick phone call on the way out.

Once he got to the overflow site, he grabbed the mike and gave the standard overflow talk. He spoke for 2:20, and then did about 10 minutes of ropeline. “I’m sorry that we couldn’t get everybody inside but not everybody inside’s going to shake my hand, so I don’t know who gets the better deal, you don’t have to listen to me talk but we can shake hands,” he said to loud applause.

On the importance of North Carolina’s May 6 primary: “Everybody understands how important this election is. North Carolina is going to be critically important. If we can win in North Carolina, I think we can wrap up this nomination,” he said. “And if we can win this nomination then I think we can beat John McCain.”

He ticked off issues – new jobs, afterschool programs, ending nthe war – and encouraged early voting. Then he removed his suit jacket and shook hands down the entire length of the ropeline, and engaged in a little debate with a Huckabee supporter who supported the fair tax.