Update 5:50 p.m.
It was Hillary Clinton's first joint campaign appearance with President Obama. The fact that it was in North Carolina indicates how important the state is to victory in November. But there wasn't much about the event that was North Carolina-centric. There was no mention of House Bill 2, for example. It was an event with messages that could have come from anywhere. WFAE's Tom Bullock talks to All Things Considered host Mark Rumsey.
UPDATE 5:21
President Obama and candidate Hillary Clinton have now left the Charlotte Convention Center after about an hour of speeches from the two. WFAE's Tom Bullock was in the Convention Center and joins All Things Considered host Mark Rumsey to discuss the president's first campaign stop with Clinton.
UPDATE 2:38 p.m.
President Obama and Hillary Clinton have arrived in Charlotte. WFAE's Tom Bullock is uptown where the president and the presumptive Democratic nominee are expected around 3:00. He has this report from the Convention Center.
For the first time this election season, President Obama will campaign with Hillary Clinton. They are making a stop in North Carolina, a state Democrats would love to win back.
Over the last two presidential elections, North Carolina has been a swing state. Going for Barack Obama in 2008, then giving Mitt Romney a win in 2012. Both elections saw razor thin margins of victory.
Today’s high profile joint campaign stop is a signal that North Carolina is again seen as a key battle ground state.
There’s a lot of strategy behind where to hold events like this. Political Scientist Susan Roberts of Davidson College believes Charlotte makes sense for the Clinton campaign.
"I think that she can address more national issues that are linked to North Carolina but play to a national audience."
Like voting rights, abortion restrictions, the minimum wage and North Carolina’s controversial House Bill 2, all issues affecting women and minority groups which are key demographics for the Democratic Party.
Current polls show North Carolina voters are leaning towards Hillary Clinton. She is leading Republican Donald Trump but only by a thin margin.
