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President Obama and Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic U.S. Presidential nominee, attend a rally in Charlotte, NC. Photo courtesy AP/Chuck BurtonPresidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump’s campaigns hit the Tarheel State this week with rallies in Charlotte and Raleigh respectively.
Thousands gathered at the Charlotte Convention Center on July 5 to experience the joint appearance of President Barack Obama and presumptive Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton.
The two arrived to Charlotte on Air Force One, just hours after F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, announced that the bureau would not recommend criminal charges in Clinton’s handling of classified information on a e-mail server.
The visit was Clinton’s second to the state in two weeks and her first visit to Charlotte since a March 14 rally at Grady Cole Center, a day before she won the state’s primary.
Congresswoman Alma Adams, 12th U.S. Congressional District representative spoke at the rally and encouraged those in attendance to get others registered to vote.
“I can’t wait for my granddaughters, and all of our granddaughters, to see a woman in the White House,” said Adams. “I can’t wait for our grandsons to grow up learning a woman’s place is in every place - in every office, including the Oval Office.”
Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump at a Raleigh campaign rally. Courtesy AP/Chuck BurtonClinton opened the rally talking about her admiration of the President and First Lady Michelle Obama.
“We still have a lot of work to do,” said Clinton, adding that Obama saved the U.S. from a second depression.
Clinton went on to outline her goals in her first 100 days of office should she be elected. Some of her objectives are to pass the biggest investment in good-paying jobs since World War II; make debt-free college education available to all Americans; let workers share in the profits they help create; ensure Wall Street and the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share of taxes; and create policies that relate to how working families actually live and work in the 21st century.
Clinton also highlighted President Obama’s accomplishments saying that the next leader has to be able to build on that record.
“We have to continue to take on deep structural challenges that existed long before the crisis. We can see it here in North Carolina and across the country: inequality is too high, wages are too low, and it’s just too hard to get ahead. We need an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top,” she said.
Obama wrapped up the rally, touting Clinton’s tenure as Secretary of State and her goals for the country.
“I’m here today because I believe in Hillary Clinton. This is about whether we will have an America that works for everybody and not just a few people,” said Obama. “I’m ready to pass the baton. And I know that Hillary Clinton is going to take it. And I know she can run that race – the race to create good jobs and better schools and safer streets and a safer world.”
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, held a campaign rally at Memorial Auditorium in downtown Raleigh later the same day, where thousands of supporters flocked to see him.
Earlier on Tuesday, the N.C. NAACP held a news conference where The Rev. William Barber, president of the state chapter of the NAACP, read an open letter to Trump.
“So far, your candidacy does not resonate with our highest values and best traditions,” the letter says, “but instead offers an eerie representation of hate, meanness, and xenophobia that has not been so blatantly broadcast on the national landscape since George Wallace’s Presidential campaigns of 1968 and 1972.”
Trump received support from Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, who spoke at the rally. N.C. Supreme Court Justice Mark Martin and U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers of Dunn were also in attendance.
During his speech, Trump talked about the FBI announcement, and the controversy surrounding Hillary Clinton’s emails.
“The system is rigged, but we’re still happy to be here,” said Trump, who als o criticized President Obama for campaigning with Clinton.
Trump also spoke about creating jobs, trade, and the wall he wants to build on the border with Mexico. Trump also said he supports N.C. House Bill 2, the bill that strips away the ability to sue over work discrimination in a state court and requires transgender persons to use the bathroom indicated on their birth certificate.
“We’re losing our jobs. But we will stop it so fast, your heads will spin. Remember that,” said Trump.
The General Election is November 8.
