N.C. A&T "J" students cover the 2008 elections

Senator Biden watches attentively as Senator Obama makes his speech to a crowd of 18,000 in Greensboro on Saturday.By Janae Brown:

On a rainy Saturday morning the streets of Greensboro filled with anxious people from all walks of life determined to see presidential and vice presidential candidates Barack Obama and Joseph Biden, the men who promise to bring “Change We Believe In.”

Thousands of people walked with anticipation down East Market Street and made a sharp left to get in line on February One Place, where history was made 48 years ago when four black A&T freshmen sat at  the Woolworth’s counter to protest segregated lunch counters.

 Less than three blocks from this historic Woolworth’s, supporters cheered on Obama, a black man who may become president, shouting, “Fired Up, Ready to Go.” One Obama supporter noted the historic irony.

“I’ve been out here since 7:30 and honestly I never thought I would live to see this day. Lord knows how filled I am to have this opportunity to see Obama in person,” says 78 year old Bertha Campbell of Greensboro. “I am blessed to have lived to see the A&T four make history and now I’m about to see Obama make history all on the same street.”

Vendors flooded the crowd of an estimated 18,000 in attendance at the event at the J. Douglas Gaylon Depot on East Washington Street with $5 T-shirts and buttons. The masses of “Obidens” stretched from the entrance of the Depot to Elm Street where an American flag dangled proudly above the crowd.

“Change We Need” signs fluttered in the air as Biden took the stage and began his speech with, “The only regret I have is that I won’t be able to see N.C. A&T’s band play.” Following Biden, Obama, who also recognized N. C. A&T, took the stage emphasizing issues such as investing in technology that supports renewable energy and bringing jobs back to North Carolina. Obama also Masses of people from all walks of life came out to see Obama and Biden in Greensboro, N.C.criticized his opposing opponent Senator John McCain for not mentioning the middle class in Friday’s debate.

“I’ve been to see Obama every time he’s come to Greensboro. The issues he talked about today as well as the debate last night re-emphasized why he’s gonna be the next president of the United States,” said Jacob Townsend, a junior at UNCG. “I’ve brought as much memorabilia as I can because when he gets in office in November it’s gonna be history.”

Despite Obama’s emphasis on “Voting for Change We Believe In,” some viewed the Illinois Senator’s plans as being “unrealistic.”  Beth Schultz, an avid McCain supporter at a Republican rally just a couple blocks away said, “Obama just doesn’t do it for me. Regardless, I’m a die- hard Republican and I want a Republican in office…MCCAIN 08!,” said Schultz.