Top of the ticket returns to N.C.

Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama will make North Carolina appearances this weekend. Watch McCain's speech streaming live on WRAL.com at 11 a.m.

Posted 11:31 p.m. Oct 17, 2008 — Updated 11:23 a.m. Oct 19, 2008

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama each have campaign stops in the state this weekend during a race that is turning North Carolina into a battleground.

McCain, a Republican, will speak Saturday morning at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord. Doors open at 8 a.m. for the 10 a.m. event.

Tickets were available through McCain's campaign offices on a first-come, first-served basis.

Obama, a Democrat, will speak at a rally at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville Sunday, campaign officials announced Friday.

Tickets will not be required for the 1:30 p.m. event at 1960 Coliseum Drive, but campaign officials encouraged attendees to RSVP at the campaign’s Web site. Doors open at 11 a.m. for the rally.

Recent polls have shown McCain and Obama in a dead heat in North Carolina, a state that has not voted for a Democratic candidate in a presidential election in 32 years.

The state's battleground status has brought both campaigns in for rallies in recent weeks, with Obama and his running mate, U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, starting the parade last month. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin visited Greenville on Oct. 7, and McCain made his first public appearance in the state when he spoke at a Wilmington rally Monday. Palin headlined a rally at Elon University Thursday.

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