WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — "Fahrenheit 9/11," a film that critics claim turns up the heat on the Bush administration, opened nationwide Friday and had its regional premiere in Raleigh.

Democrats praise filmmaker Michael Moore and say the facts in the film speak for themselves.

"We hope that every American, every educated voter will go see this movie and go make up their mind in November," said Linda Watson, of the Wake County Democratic Party.

Republicans, on the other hand, say much of the clips are taken out of context.

"This is an outcome-based propaganda piece designed to smear the president of the United States," Republican strategist Marc Rotterman said. "He's [Michael Moore] not a real journalist. He's a left-wing bomb thrower. He's Mike Wallace on steroids."

The Wake County Democratic Party hosted a private screening Friday at the Rialto and filled all 375 seats.