CHAPEL HILL, N.C. _ Speaking at the University of North Carolina Wednesday afternoon, President Barack Obama called on voters to support Democrats Hillary Clinton and Deborah Ross _ arguing that a Clinton victory here will mean she wins the election.
Obama spoke to thousands of students and other supporters gathered in the unusual November heat at UNC-Chapel Hill's Michael Hooker Fields. Musician James Taylor performed ahead of the president's speech.
Obama noted North Carolina's swing state role in this year's election and urged the crowd to vote early, an option that's available through Saturday.
"The fate of the republic rests on your shoulders," he said. "The fate of the world is teetering, and you, North Carolina, are going to have to make sure that we push it in the right direction."
The president had criticism for Republican Donald Trump and GOP Sen. Richard Burr � highlighting the importance of a close Senate race with Democrat Deborah Ross.
Obama said he once worked out with Burr while both were senators, but he finds the Republican's campaign rhetoric troubling. He slammed Burr for joking about a "bulls-eye" on Clinton in a leaked recording published this week.
"You don't talk about violence against public officials, even in a joke," Obama said. "This is becoming normal. This is the red meat they're throwing their audiences, and it's not normal, and it's not who North Carolina is."
Obama also said Burr's promise to keep a Supreme Court seat vacant if Clinton wins is troubling.
"Eleven years ago, Richard Burr said a Supreme Court justice without nine justices would not work," he said. "What changed?"
Burr later walked back the comment in a statement to McClatchy, saying he would "assess the record of any Supreme Court nominee," but that he had doubts Clinton could put up someone he would support.
Obama said he's concerned that Republicans in Congress will try to block Clinton's efforts if she becomes president. "Gridlock is what happens when Republican politicians like Richard Burr decide ... that they will oppose anything that's good for the country because a Democrat proposes it," he said. "Hillary will continue the progress we've made, but she'll need allies like Deborah Ross."
Obama had strong words for Trump, who he said is "unfit to be commander-in-chief" and "brags about how being famous allows him to get away with sexual assault."
"We have to stop thinking that his behavior is normal, that's it's within the bounds of our political discourse," he said. "This office, it's about who you are and what you are, and it doesn't change after you occupy the office."
Ross spoke at the rally shortly before Obama arrived. She said she'd be a candidate for the people, arguing that Burr has failed to do that.
Ross also condemned Burr's "bulls-eye" comment. "He's got to go," Ross said. "Richard Burr is not a bad guy. He's just forgotten who he works for. He works for you."
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Roy Cooper had similar criticism for his opponent, Gov. Pat McCrory. He said McCrory has turned his back on teachers and said teacher pay should be raised to at least the national average. He also called for a repeal of HB2.
"Education is not only in our constitution, but it is in our DNA as North Carolinians," Cooper told the crowd.
Obama's visit to Chapel Hill is the latest event in a jam-packed scheduled of presidential campaign rallies this week in North Carolina � a sign of the state's high stakes for the candidates.
Polls for the crucial battleground state are tight _ the RealClearPolitics average of polls showed a tie between Clinton and Trump Wednesday. If Clinton carries North Carolina, it's unlikely Trump will be able to secure enough electoral votes from other states to win the election.
On Friday, four days before the election, Obama will return to the state for a 2 p.m. rally at Fayetteville State University's Capel Arena and a 6 p.m. Charlotte rally.
Vice President Joe Biden was in Charlotte on Tuesday, the latest in a series of Democratic events.
Clinton will be in Raleigh and Winterville Thursday, her campaign announced Wednesday. She will speak at 3:15 p.m. at Pitt Community College and then go to Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek for a 7:45 p.m. rally that also features former primary rival Bernie Sanders and musician Pharrell Williams.
Trump will rally supporters at 4 p.m. Thursday in Concord and at 7 p.m. Thursday at The Farm in Selma. Doors open at 4 p.m. for the event at The Farm.
And Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence will hold a 2 p.m. rally on Friday in Greenville.
Clinton's daughter, Chelsea, will be holding a series of rallies Saturday in Elizabeth City, Charlotte and Asheville.
