He said it to a crowd of 25,000-30,000 in Charlotte NC, including white people, who, if we listened to press and polls, wouldn't be caught dead supporting Obama. Oh my God, he's black!

This must be a mirage.

Check out this fellow from the overflow crowd, not only white but old and blind, and he's climbing something to try to get into the rally.

To the topic at hand.

From Politico

Obama elaborates on his criticism of McCain's suggestion, buried in an actuarial industry publication, that health care be deregulated, like banking. As McCain's aides pointed out yesterday, McCain had been narrowly referring to abolishing a patchwork of state regulations, not national regulation. But those state health care regulations and mandates, though cumbersome, are also popular, and Obama today engages him on that front in a Charlotte, N.C., speech.

And here’s the really scary part. Now this “Great Deregulator” wants to turn his attention to health care.

He wrote in the current issue of a magazine — the current issue — that we need to open up health care to — quote — “more vigorous nationwide competition, as we have done over the last decade in banking.”

That’s right, John McCain says he wants to do for health care what Washington has done for banking.

Also Politico

Barack Obama, speaking today about the proposed market bailout at a rally in Charlotte, N.C.:

As of now, the Bush Administration has only offered a concept with a staggering price tag, not a plan. Even if the U.S. Treasury recovers some or most of its investment over time, this initial outlay of up to $700 billion is sobering. And in return for their support, the American people must be assured that the deal reflects the basic principles of transparency, fairness, and reform.

First, there must be no blank check when American taxpayers are on the hook for this much money.

Second, taxpayers shouldn’t be spending a dime to reward CEOs on Wall Street.

Third, taxpayers should be protected and should be able to recoup this investment.

Fourth, this plan has to help homeowners stay in their homes.

Fifth, this is a global crisis, and the United States must insist that other nations join us in helping secure the financial markets.

Sixth, we need to start putting in place the rules of the road I’ve been calling for for years to prevent this from ever happening again.

And finally, this plan can’t just be a plan for Wall Street, it has to be a plan for Main Street. We have to come together, as Democrats and Republicans, to pass a stimulus plan that will put money in the pockets of working families, save jobs, and prevent painful budget cuts and tax hikes in our states.