TUESDAY PREPARATIONS
Mecklenburg County is sending out extra voter machines and precinct workers to handle the expected large crowds for Tuesday's primaries.
Elections Director Michael Dickerson said they'll use about 1,230 machines, compared to the 700-800 used in a typical primary.
He said a primary record 40-45 percent could turn out. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Candidates up and down the ballot started revving up their voter-turnout efforts Sunday, setting the stage for a bigger-than-ever N.C. primary finish.
All three major presidential candidates will be in the state today, including Sen. John McCain, the GOP's all-but-official nominee. He'll be in Charlotte.
But most of the spotlight will be on Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton as they make their last-minute pitches for Democratic primary voters. For Obama, North Carolina is a chance to get a win that could rebuild momentum after a streak of bad news; for Clinton, it's a place to stage an upset that could bolster her argument that she is more electable in the general election.
With long lines for early voting and a spike in absentee ballots, the turnout Tuesday is expected to break records because of the tough-fought Democratic presidential primary. Longtime N.C. political observers say voters are so excited by the N.C. presidential primary that as many as 1.5 million of them may vote in the Democratic primary -- way beyond the record of 961,000 in 1984.
Add the Republicans who will vote in their own primary, with its competitive race for the gubernatorial nomination, and the total votes cast could pass 2 million.
"I'd tell Clinton and Obama to hold on tight," said Ferrel Guillory, founder and director of the Program on Public Life at UNC Chapel Hill. "They're going to have the biggest turnout ever in the state. I don't know if there's anything else they can do (to boost excitement). They've already done it, just by having this campaign."
Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats running for everything from governor to county commissioner are busy reminding voters that Tuesday is also a major election for state and local offices.
In downtown Durham on Sunday, the Democratic candidates for governor both went to an interfaith event at First Presbyterian Church looking for votes as much as fellowship.
"Look at our records, not what we're saying now," said state Treasurer Richard Moore, highlighting efforts such as raising the minimum wage. "What have we done when we had the chance?"
Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue talked about not only her resume, but also the challenges in her personal life -- such as years as a single mother.
"But my struggles are nothing," she said, "compared to the struggles of families across North Carolina."
On the Republican side, the candidates seemed quieter Sunday -- but only on the surface.
Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, who's vying with state Sen. Fred Smith and three others for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, said Obama and Clinton have pushed state and local races off the front page and the top of the TV news.
"The media seems to have more interest in the star power (of national political celebrities) than in the (state) governance that affects people's daily lives," he said.
That's causing state and local candidates to work even harder at the grass-roots level to track down and get out their voters.
In the case of McCrory, whose appeal extends beyond the Republican Party, that includes independent voters -- a coveted group that may opt to vote in the Democratic primary because of Obama and Clinton.
"We're doing anything and everything we can to reach them: phone banks, letters, going door to door," said McCrory, who did some hand-shaking Sunday at the Wachovia Championship. "We do know where they live."
Republican Jaye Rao, who is in a three-way primary against Neil Cooksey and Ada Nicolay for a District 5 Mecklenburg County commissioners seat, said she also knew when planning her campaign that the Democratic presidential race could be a major draw for independents.
But Rao said she is still trying to reach out to as many voters as possible these next few days, including making phone calls and knocking on doors.
"Anybody who has an interest in voting in the primary, I've felt I wanted to reach out to them," Rao said.
Democratic candidates for local office were also scurrying for every vote in sight.
Lloyd Scher, a Democrat running for District 100 in the N.C. House against Tricia Cotham, launched a radio ad over the weekend and supporters plan to post 100 new yard signs to support his bid.
"We're working right up to the end," Scher said.
Obama and Clinton spent Sunday battling in Indiana, site of the other presidential primary Tuesday, and over the TV airwaves -- Obama on NBC's "Meet the Press" and Clinton on ABC's "This Week."
In Indiana on Sunday, Clinton scolded both Obama and "elite opinion" for opposing her proposal for a gas tax holiday this summer, while Obama accused her of political pandering.
"There's a big difference between us, and the question is: Who understands what you're going through, and who do you count on being on your side?" Clinton said to several hundred supporters in Fort Wayne. "I believe I have what it takes to stand up and fight for you when you need a president on your side."
Obama called for a second round of government tax rebates. "Let me tell you something, people are really hurting," Obama said during his own appearance in Fort Wayne. "I am here to tell you, you're not on your own. We're in this together."
Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that a majority of American voters say that the furor over Obama's former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, has not affected their opinion of Obama. But a substantial number say that it could influence voters this fall should he be the Democratic presidential nominee, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News Poll.
At the same time, an overwhelming majority of voters said candidates calling for the suspension of the federal gasoline tax this summer were acting to help themselves politically, rather than to help ordinary Americans.
Charlotte details
Sen. John McCain, the presumptive GOP nominee, will address the Charlotte Chamber's board of directors and invited guests at 4:15 p.m. at the McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College St., Charlotte. He also has two other events scheduled. All are by invitation only.
Michelle Obama, the wife of candidate Barack Obama, will headline a get-out-the-vote rally. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. Doors open at 4 p.m.; event at 5:30 p.m. Open to public. Tickets not required, but online RSVP encouraged at barackobama.com. FANNING OUT ACROSS N.C. TODAY John McCain: Presumptive GOP nominee in Charlotte today to address Chamber members. Charlotte details, 5A.
Michelle Obama: Appearances in Charlotte and Fayetteville today at get-out-the-vote events.
Charlotte details, 5A.
Bill Clinton: Appearances throughout Eastern North Carolina today.
