Democratic National Convention organizers released a video Tuesday marking the 100-day countdown to President Barack Obama’s nomination acceptance speech at Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 6.
The video, called “I’m There,” touts Charlotte mainstays – from the NFL stadium to the Gold Rush trolley to the statues at Trade and Tryon streets.
The video, available on You Tube, features still shots of individuals and groups holding a sign bearing the convention logo and “I’m There” slogan.
During a news conference, officials said the video portrays the excitement about the Charlotte convention, which they say already has drawn more than 10,000 volunteers.
“Democrats are fired up across the country… and they’re ready to come to Charlotte,” said Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democratic National Committee chairwoman.
“We’re dedicated to competing in the South,” Schultz said. “North Carolina is a critical battleground state.” Obama won the state by 14,000 votes in 2008, the first Democrat to carry North Carolina in a presidential election since Jimmy Carter in 1976.
Convention CEO Steve Kerrigan said convention planning is “right on track.” Mayor Anthony Foxx predicted that the city will become known for “the historic convention that provided the momentum into Election Day that will ensure that President Barack Obama is re-elected.”
To engage more public involvement in the convention, anyone can participate in the “I’m There” campaign by uploading photos of themselves holding signs with the convention logo and caption to www.demconvention.com.
Members of the public interested in getting tickets to Obama’s stadium speech on the last night of the convention should sign up at that website to hear about future announcements, organizers said. The stadium setting allows “tens of thousands more people” to participate, according to organizers.
For those not able to make it to Charlotte, the website will allow anyone in the world to watch convention proceedings online as they happen.
