Lightning threat forces Obama to change convention plans

Updated at 10:22 a.m. ET

(CBS News) CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Democrats are significantly downsizing the final night of their national convention, moving the events -- including President Obama's acceptance speech -- from Bank of America Stadium to the Time Warner Cable Arena because of threats of thunder and lightning.

Mr. Obama was slated to accept the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday night in the open-air football stadium before a crowd of more than 65,000. The basketball and hockey arena, however, seats just around 20,000.

The Obama campaign said this week that they would keep the events in the stadium through rain but that it would move to the arena if lightning posed safety threats. Rain has hit the Charlotte area every day since Saturday, with remnants of Hurricane Isaac drenching the area Tuesday.

The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) said that Mr. Obama will address those with "community credentials" to attend his speech in a conference call Thursday. To obtain community credentials, Obama supporters participated in the campaign's "9-3-1" program, which required nine hours of campaign volunteer work over the course of three days in order to get one credential. After that, the volunteers had to wait in line for their credentials.

The convention committee is promising that those unable to attend will be invited to see Mr. Obama sometime between now and Election Day. For now, the convention committee is encouraging those with "community credentials" to attend watch parties.

"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," DNCC CEO Steve Kerrigan said in a statement. "The energy and enthusiasm for our convention in Charlotte has been overwhelming and we share the disappointment of over 65,000 people who signed up for community credentials to be there with the President in person."

The effects of Isaac curtailed the Republican National Convention a week earlier in Tampa, prompting the GOP to cancel the first day of their convention.

Romney last week addressed the Republican convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, which seats around 20,0000. In 2008, Mr. Obama spoke to a full house at Invesco Field in Denver, which seats more than 75,000 for football games.

[elvigop]

When will your fact-checker(s) go to work? You worked them overtime during the GOP event. Will a CBS Fact-checker check the government's weather report and see if the thunderstorm story is right? Will a CBS fact-checker looking into how many were really expected to attend? I am not holding my breath because I have not paid my funeral plan yet.

[aintfakin]

where are the obvious lies?
lying seems to be a right wing specialty
I mean c'mon
Ryan is the king of the whoppers
thats what happens when you not nothing else but the super wealthy to protect

[walkthetalk]

Dang! I have always been told buy CNN and the Huffington Post, that this was a Guy, that could stop this sorta stuff.

[nonpolitico]

At least we all got a laugh at the GOP event! Clint talking to Obamachair was really Hilarious!!
Pity we will not get any reason to smile as the Dimocrats come to town.
And if Romney gets in and tanks, we can always get him to BUY WASHINGTON!! Then sell it to China complet with accessories!

[RealiteBites]

I'll bet they couldn't fill the stadium.

Because his speeches used to be so inspirational and promise-filled. Now they're out of touch, too calculated, borderline delusional, and depressing.

Why bother?

[nonpolitico]

Oh my God!!! It`s a SIGN!!!

[Robby33383]

According to the NBC Charlotte forecast for Thursday, they said all looks good, very slight chance of a thunderstorm. I guess they didn't want the Great One speaking in front a half empty stadium. They tried to bus people in for free and I guess most took a pass. So much for the Obama Mania in 2008!!!

[signseeker1717]

The National Weather Service says 40% chance of "severe thunderstorms" tomorrow night. I think I'll take THEIR word for it.

[TheFoundersLive]

Pan across this convention and you cannot help but think you are seeing a larger version of the bar scene in Star Wars.

[beresponsible]

So true!

[JorgeZim]

Look at the weather report again and quit being an Obama shill.

[Robby33383]

We all know the real reason the DNC moved the Great One's speech to a smaller venue. They couldn't fill the 65,000 seats. They tried to bus people in from as far as South Carolina, No takers.
The weather in the area will have a very slight chance of showers. So Obama is once again sucker punching Americans along with the Democrats.
Sorry Barack Hussein, the excitment is gone from 2008!!!

[Robby33383]

Ben Jordon, I hope that wasn't a racist remark you made about Dinesh. The Obama mania is over BIG GUY. Get over it!!

[pohd1]

Three days ago talking about not able to fill the stadium and would bus people in from South Carolina and probably from New York if they had to to fill the stadium. Now they have to tell these people their hope of seeing Obama is no longer possible. Loved how so many Democrats hoping for hurricane Isaac to slam into Tampa(so much for civility) now tables are turned as weather going after them in Charlotte. Lightning to blame before its over they will be blaming Billy Graham.

[bamsham12]

Media comedy tour continues!
It is utterly amazing to watch this lap dog media at work!!!

Obwan222- You are clearly part of President Obama's "moron vote" constituency!

Last night was one lie after another. If the demorcrats would get up there and give speeches
based on what they REALLY believe, NO ONE WOULD VOTE FOR THEM!!!!

They simply changed venu's because they can't stomach having to see one more "empty chair"...