By Katherine Faulders and Vicki Ballagh

President Obama made a campaign stop in Charlottesville yesterday, as a part of a tour of swing state college campuses. President Obama made two earlier stops in Colorado and Iowa before heading to the Commonwealth. Since the Obama campaign’s request to hold the rally on Grounds was denied, the rally moved downtown to the n’Telos Wireless Pavilion, where 7500 people turned out. The President was preceded by prominent Virginia Democrats, former Representative Tom Perriello, as well as former Governor and current United States Senate candidate, Tim Kaine. Obama spoke directly to the many college students in the crowd, by touching on issues of the economy, healthcare, energy policy, and student loan rates. In an attempt to capture the high energy of the 2008 campaign, President Obama hammered home the importance of voting and rallying the crowd with his powerful oratorical style. The campaign used a variety of UVa students during the rally–including the Virginia Gentlemen, who sang the Star Spangled Banner, as well as two Obama For America student organizers, who were the first to take the stage.

Watch Katherine Faulders’ report from the scene:

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Watch President Obama’s full speech:

Reporter: Katherine Faulders
Producer: Vicki Ballagh