The stage of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.
/ Lynne Sladky / AP Photo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - College students from across North Carolina will arrive in Charlotte by the busload. Same with members of predominantly black churches in neighboring South Carolina.
Their goal: help fill a 74,000-seat outdoor stadium to capacity when President Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination Thursday.
Anything short of a full house on the final night of the Democratic Party's national convention will be instant fodder for Republicans eager to cast the empty seats as symbols of waning voter enthusiasm for Obama.
Democrats have been fretting for months over whether the president can draw a capacity crowd at Bank of America Stadium. Polls show voter enthusiasm is down, as are Obama's crowds for his battleground state campaign rallies.
Obama advisers insist the stadium will be filled when Obama delivers his speech.
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