http://centralnc.twcnews.com/content/news/711145/obama-to-address-veterans-in-trip-weighed-down-by-politics/Obama to Address Veterans in Trip Weighed Down By Politics
By: Leslie Mayes
7:17 AM
CHARLOTTE—President Barack Obama will be in the Queen City Tuesday to address the 96th annual convention of the American Legion which is underway in uptown Charlotte this week.
Air Force One is expected to touch down at about 11:20 a.m. and the President will be speaking around 12 p.m.
The president's speech follows a months long scandal surrounding delays with veterans receiving care through the VA. The White House hasn't given any indication of what the president will say in his speech, but many veterans will be listening for updates to such an issue that is important to them.
For President Obama, the visit to the Tar Heel State a heavy political subtext. Democratic Senator Kay Hagan, is in a difficult re-election race and popularity for the President is down in NC. Hagan is scheduled to speak to the American Legion too, but her spokeswoman declined to say whether she would appear on stage with the president.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have been busy getting ready for the president's visit this week.
CMPD isn't releasing any specifics about the route the president will take as he makes his way through town en route to the convention center.
“It wont effect our operations at all. We're able to absorb special events. This is part of being a fairly large city here,” said Major Jeff Estes, of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Charlotte residents should expect some delays both in Uptown and near the airport late Tuesday morning and around lunchtime during the president's speech.
Air Force One is expected to be on its way back to Washington shortly after 1 p.m.