CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Republicans reacted to the news that President Obama’s acceptance speech at the Democratic National Committee on Thursday is being moved away from the large Bank of America stadium to a smaller indoor venue because of the weather by questioning whether it’s really because the Democrats are worried about attendance.
“Problems filling the seats?” Republican National Committee spokeswoman Kirsten Kukowski asked reporters in a Wednesday email.
Kukowski argued that “the Democrats continue to downgrade convention events due to lack of enthusiasm.”
The Democratic National Committee on Wednesday announced that the weather is forcing them to hold Obama’s speech at the Time Warner Cable Arena — where the rest of the convention is taking place — instead of the outdoor stadium that can accommodate 70,000 people where organizers planned on Obama addressing the convention.
“We have been monitoring weather forecasts closely and several reports predict thunderstorms in the area, therefore we have decided to move Thursday’s proceedings to Time Warner Cable Arena to ensure the safety and security of our delegates and convention guests,” said convention CEO Steve Kerrigan.
Kerrigan tried to tamp down speculation that worries about attendance caused the change, arguing that the “energy and enthusiasm for our convention in Charlotte has been overwhelming.”
The CEO said they “share the disappointment of over 65,000 people who signed up for community credentials to be there with the President in person” who will no longer be able to see Obama speak.
But he said officials are working to make sure those people will be able to see the president soon.
“The President will speak to these credential holders on a national conference call tomorrow afternoon, and we will work with the campaign to ensure that those unable to attend tomorrow’s event will be invited to see the President between now and election day,” he said.