...The Obama campaign put on one of the night's largest such events for volunteers at the Charlotte convention center down the street from the arena. Attendees cheered high points in the speeches by chanting "USA!" and waving small American flags.

"It's exciting," said Charlotte resident Angie Pack. "Not as exciting as being there, but I think everyone is really fired up."

Even after the heavy thunderstorms that doused the early days of the convention, volunteer Cynthia Peterson said she would have gladly sat in the rain to see Obama in person.

The excitement and diversity of the crowd gathered to watch the speeches on large screens set up at the convention center moved her to tears.....