news-record.com

GREENSBORO — If they counted votes as they went, it's probably safe to say that Barack Obama is leading the presidential balloting in Guilford County.

Obama supporters — as measured by signs, buttons and T-shirts, anyway — showed up in force at the old Guilford County Courthouse this morning, the first day of early voting in North Carolina.

When the polls opened at 8 a.m., about 200 people waited to vote in a line that doubled back on itself inside a first-floor hallway and stretched out a side door.

By about noon, the line was all the way out to West Market Street. People about to vote said they had been waiting in line for about two and a half hours.

Shortly before early voting began, roughly one out of 20 voters waiting in the courthouse hallway had a button or T-shirt that showed their support for the Democratic presidential candidate. Several more wore buttons supporting Teresa Sue Bratton, who is challenging Republican Howard Coble for the 6th District seat in the U.S. House.

Outside the courthouse, about 20 people waved "Teamsters for Obama/Biden" and "Carolina is Obama Country" signs at the traffic heading downtown on West Market. A few drivers honked back.

There was no evidence of any organized presence from John McCain's campaign either inside or outside the county building.

Inside, at the front of the line to vote, Russ Caffrey of Greensboro regretted missing the last City Council election. This time, he was worried that his construction job in Hickory would keep him away from the polls on Nov. 4. So Caffrey showed up at 7 a.m. Thursday to make sure he could vote.

Because of the unsteady economy, Caffrey said he would be conservative on the county tax and city bond votes. As for the race at the top of the ballot, the registered Democrat was going a little less conservative.

Obama, Caffrey said, "seems presidential. I don't think he will make any rash decisions. It's going to be a rough four years, and the next president won't have an easy time, but I'm hoping for the best. I think he's the right person to go with."

Further back in line, Susan Gottsegen, a Democrat from Greensboro, said she would vote for Obama. Gottsegen, an attorney, represents homeowners in foreclosure proceedings and called McCain's plan for them "terrible."

Looking around at the crowd, Gottsegen said she was delighted.

"It looks like an overwhelmingly Democratic group this morning," she said.