Obama rallies Norfolk in last stop before convention - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

It was his closing argument ahead of the Democratic National Convention. Barack Obama came to Norfolk to pump up Virginia voters leading into this important week in his campaign.

In a town that came out from him big in 2008, in front of a crowd that hung on his every word, Barack Obama laid out the stakes for November.

"The good news is Virginia, that in just two months you get to choose which path we take," he said.

The President wove a tale of his first four years in office. He argued that he deserves a chance to continue what he started. The friendly crowd agreed.

"Four more years!" they chanted, "Four more years."

Republicans, like Pete Snyder, said that the president spends all of his time playing to crowds he knows will agree with his message.

"He tends to show up only where his base is, so usually in inner cities and urban areas," said Snyder, a potential GOP candidate for Lt. Governor.  "We haven't been seeing him out in the real swing battlegrounds of Virginia."

That crowd of close to 12 thousand not only heard the President tout his own accomplishments, they also listened as the President took aim at Mitt Romney's opposition to "Obamacare".

"Which means he'd kick nearly 7 million young people off their parents plan, he'd make seniors prescription drugs more expensive," Obama claimed.  "Maybe we should call his plan Romney doesn't care."

Snyder believes the President's words are designed to mask his true record on the issues that count the most.

"Virginia voters are smart," he said.  "They know that this economy is not heading in the right direction."

But Mr. Obama seems prepared to lay out his record and let those smart Virginia voters decide for themselves. Tuesday in Norfolk he seemed confident about the way things would turn out.

"If you're willing to vote for me," he said "We will win Norfolk again, we will win Virginia again."

And in what will be his last round of interviews before he delivers his acceptance speech, we talked one on one with President Obama after today's rally.

See that interview Wednesday on NBC12 and on DecisionVirginia.com.

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