ELON, North Carolina (CNN) – Thursday marked the first day of early voting in North Carolina, a state unaccustomed to being in the political spotlight this late in a presidential election year.
But at an afternoon rally at Elon University near Greensboro, Republican Sarah Palin did not offer her supporters even the gentlest reminder that early voting - an opportunity both parties are working to take advantage of - is now underway at nearly 400 sites across the battleground state. Long lines at one-stop voting locations have been reported throughout North Carolina.
She did, however, mention the 85 degree heat.
“Thank you all for that very, very warm welcome to beautiful North Carolina, and it is warm,” she said. “Man, this Alaskan gal is … I’m roasting. This feels really good.”
Palin’s speech lasted only about 20 minutes, and was an abbreviated version of the remarks she delivered this morning in Maine: a brisk run-through of her ticket’s beliefs and platforms, including a one-line promise to protect Second Amendment rights.
In fact, the audience spent more time with country singer Hank Williams, Jr., who donned a Carolina Panthers jersey and warmed up the already warm crowd for about 45 minutes before Palin arrived on a local version of the Straight Talk Express along with North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr.
Near the end of her speech, Palin pressed the audience to stand firm against accusations of negative campaigning, and told them to pay “close attention” to Barack Obama’s record.
“It’s not mean-spirited and it’s not negative campaigning when you call someone out on their record,” she said. “So don’t let anyone, don’t let them make you believe that you’re being negative or mean spirited or unpatriotic or unfair when you are asking about somebody’s record, OK?”
After the rally, Palin continued on to a fundraiser at a home in Greensboro.
From CNN Politics
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Go Sarah go! The more questions we ask about Obama's record, the more we see just who this man is, a socialist. America thrives on capitalism and that's what we need right now! Our economy has suffered because of the socialist "every person in a home" politics of the last 20 years, we do not need any more wealth redistribution!
It is quite possible that Palin does not have a clue the early polls are open. She could have been told. You would think that at least one person in the entire Republican Party noticed and told the McCain/Palin team.
Just a little hint like: "The oher guy's people are voting. Maybe we ought to also."
But then again, with a ticket of Senile/Stupid maybe they just forgot
20 minutes is about all they should have to stand.
IT WAS NOT WRITTEN IN HER PRE-PREPARED SPEECH TRANSCRIPT.
of course bring the patriotism thing into it. i guess its patriotic to spread lies about someone. please. more bush going on here.
obamarama all the way!!
Sarah Palin (definition ) : Clueless as clueless is.
Interesting that the Gallup Poll has Obama leading McCain by only two points today. Didn't see any mention of that on CNN. Seems they only like to refer to the secondary polls that indicate Obama with a larger lead. Nothing like fair and balanced!!
Every voter… no matter who you are supporting should google:
Philip J. Berg esq and Obama.
You need to read about his lawsuit and how Obama and the DNC are trying to hide it from you. Why is the Obama campain hiding so much?
Even the medical records, McCain gave a ton of records... Obama a one page statement from his doctor. Obama was a heavy smoker for a long time and only gave it up once he decided to run for president, cancer also runs in his family.
All of the "hush hush" and hiding in the Obama campain is something to fear.
Well she knows that is she asks people to go and vote early, they will all vote for Obama/Biden. LOL
Palin does not want people to early vote. She wants time to change their minds from Obama. Hopefully it will not work. Plus if you are attending a Palin rally you probably aren't going to vote for Obama anyway. Then again, she wasn't aware of a meeting with the Russians to be held in Alaska, maybe she wasn't aware of early voting
Palin = C L U E L E S S.
The great american joke!
The whole world is laughing at America. Especially Europe.
According to the local news here in Raleigh, approximately 6300 people have already voted early in our county alone! My husband is going after work and they showed a shot of at least 30 people in line at 5 pm. We didn't NEED Sarah Palin to tell us anything – we are already smart enough to know to go and vote.....
ummm....don't look now ticker but gallup has it at 2 pts among likely voters. You might want to consider some balance in your reporting, I mean if not on the air, at least on the web.
Mc Cain finally understands he needs to distance himself from Bush, his bigger problem is tryiing to figure out how to distance himself from his VP choice.. He had the experience in politics going for him until he chose Ms. Palin.. He had very little baggage coming in to this campaign, until he chose Sarah. Sad state for him
Well Sarah, I'm so... glad that you feel good The rest of us DON"T. You should be ashamed of yourself for the total lies and inuendo you have been spewing. Since the 60's with Nixon all we get is the dirty campaigning and politics from the republican party. YOUR party has caused such distrust, disrest, and shame on the U.S.
Three words for Sarah Palin.................YOU AIN'T QUALIFIED!
Don't forget, Democrats! There are more registered Dems than Repubs. All we have to do on November 4 is GET OUT AND VOTE!
Obama/Biden 08
If it isn't "negative or mean spirited or unpatriotic or unfair when asking about somebody's record..." Then why is it sexist to ask about yours?
Voted O today...
The election will come down to three factors:voter turnout, voter turnout and voter turnout. McCain's only move left is to supress turn out by flooding the election with negativity. If he could have sucked Obama into the negativity it might have worked. Make sure to vote you Obama supporters the evil empire that brought you Karl Rove, Geoirge Bush and Dick Cheney will not got down without a fight. Their 28% will vote and it is up to us to make the turnout higher than 60% if turnout is the 50% they are hoping for 28% is a landslide for them.
Think about it and vote.
Elon is the best school in the country you've never heard about.
Why wouldn't you mention early voting? Perhaps she wasn't aware? It wasn't in the many newpapers she reads?
Vote early people!! If you can. Wish I could!
OBAMA/BIDEN 08
vote mccain,
he has far more experiance ! Far more qualifed.
far more honor!
Honest, man, in this race.
Remember democrats have a 10 % approval rating in congress.
Why elect 2 more , to the highest seats.
obama, come back in in a few years, get some worthy, clean Do something , Not president, your a joke
if obama is elected that will just prove how stupid americans have ended up they want a welfare state
Obama continues to run against George Bush becasue he cannot run against John McCain.
Mr Obama – our country is in ruins. You helped us get here – you voted for 100% of Bush's budgets since you came to DC. And Mr Obama, when the Titantic US) hits the iceberg, you load the life boats, you do not yell at the iceberg (Bush)
I live in NC and my husband was once registered republican – about 10 years ago, We are now receiving slanderous taped messages, that I know are lies. Today's was about william Ayres. Nothing about their agenda, They are running the slimiest campaign I have ever encountered. They deserve to lose.