President Obama to visit Charlotte tomorrow – local Tea Parties plan greeting

Via the Charlotte Observer:

Tea party groups from around the Piedmont are planning to protest President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul and other policies Friday, though details of the presidential visit remained sketchy Wednesday.

Tea party organizers said they expect protesters from as far as Asheville to descend on southwest Charlotte, near the Celgard plant the president plans to tour.

Celgard has been among the most prominent examples of the green-energy jobs that Charlotte’s economic development leaders hope to expand. The company makes porous membranes for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in notebook computers, digital cameras and other devices.

Obama is scheduled to make a midday visit to the plant, which he’s expected to tour before he speaks about the economy.

Details of Obama’s appearance, including the format, were unavailable Wednesday. Company officials referred reporters to the White House. So did city officials.

A spokesman for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said motorists could expect traffic delays and even stoppages in south and west Charlotte during business hours.

How much the trip will cost the city is unclear. The police department alone plans to spend up to $70,000 to staff it.

[…]

Protesters announced their plans on Facebook.

They plan to gather on South Tryon Street at Carowinds Boulevard. Craig Nannini, a tea party organizer, urged protesters to remain peaceful.

“Remember, even if youvehemently disagree with President Obama, respect theoffice,” he wrote. “Bring respectful signs (hand carry the signs, no sticks), and if counter-protesters come, be respectful and civil to your fellow Americans, even if they are not. We need the story to be about the message, not anything else, so everyone be on your best behavior.”

Since Congress passed the health care law this month, there have been reported threats on both sides. Michael Kelly, president of the tea party group We The People NC, said the protests will be civil.

“We expect the opposition to protest and try to incite violence,” he said, “and we intend to remain peaceful about it.”

For more details on where the Tea Parties plan to meet up tomorrow for Obama’s visit, click here.

Oh, and um, Mr. President – about that North Carolina unemployment rate

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