http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/07/16/hjn071708conventionmccain.htmlCINCINNATI — The crowd gathering at the 99th Annual NAACP National Convention today, July 15, in advance of Sen. John McCain's address is far from what was experienced in the same hall at the Duke Energy Center less than 48 hours ago.
On Monday night, thousands gathered to witness Sen. Barack Obama, the energy high inside the convention center and spilling onto the streets in downtown's Fountain Square, where thousands more watched the Illinois senator on the massive television screen atop Macy's department store.
Hours before Obama took the stage, the halls of the Duke Energy Center were filled with people more than a city block long waiting to pass through metal detectors.
Today, however, delegates, observers and others trickled in with barely a wait at the security checkpoint for McCain, the presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee.
As of 10:30 a.m., hundreds of seats remained open in Hall C at the convention center. Shortly after 11 a.m. dozens of rows of seats remained empty, although the public continues to flow in.
The Arizona senator is expected to take the stage around 11:30 a.m. to address the comparatively scant audience regarding similar issues discussed Monday night by his opponent. Those issues included education, race relations and individual responsibility.