About 20,000 people packed Halifax Mall outside the Salisbury Street Government Complex Wednesday afternoon to hear Sen. Barack Obama speak at an Early Vote for Change Rally. Obama implored the heavily partisan crowd to vote early before he spoke at length about the economy, education and why he thinks he is the best candidate to become the next president of the United States. “In six days, at this defining moment in history, you can give this country the change we need,” Obama told the crowd. “And you don’t even have to wait six days to vote. You can vote early right now.”Obama focused on the economy and said he plans to do everything in his power to fix the current crisis. “We are in the middle of the worst economic crisis since the Great  Depression,” he said. “The last thing we can afford is four more years of tired, old theory. That’s why I’m running for president of the United States.”Paige Roberson, a senior in economics, said she was excited for Obama to campaign in Raleigh. “I’ve been waiting for him to come to Raleigh since he started campaigning,” she said. “I thought [his speech] was amazing. I was so excited he was finally coming.”While Sen. Obama praised Sen. John McCain for his service to the country, Obama denounced McCain for his negative campaign tactics in recent weeks. “He’s spending these last few days calling me every name in the book,” he said. “I’m sorry to see my opponent sink so low. That’s his choice. That’s the kind of campaign he chose to run.”Roberson said Obama did a good job adressing the negative campaigning but not focusing on it. “He didn’t focus on McCain as much as McCain has focused on him,” Roberson said. “He addressed it, but I felt like this rally was more about Obama’s campaign.”Obama also told the crowd why he thought Sen. McCain was the wrong choice for president. “Senator McCain says that we can’t spend the next four years waiting for our luck to change,” Obama said.”But you understand  that the biggest gamble we can take is embracing the same old policies that have failed us for the last eight years. It hasn’t worked.”Britt Eller, a junior in political science who also attended the rally, said she felt McCain’s policies would be too similar to President Bush’s. “We’ve had eight years of what John McCain wants,” she said. “It’s not working out, so I think it’s time we see a change.”With regard to education, Obama promised to make sure every American has the opportunity to receive a world class education and can afford it. “I will make a deal with every American who has the drive and the will but not the money to go to college,” Obama said. “If you commit to serving your community or your country, we will make sure you can afford your tuition.” Roberson said Obama’s remarks about education resounded with her as a student. “One of my favorite points was when Obama talked about providing money for college students,” she said. “That point really hit home because that is what really ties [college students] in.”Obama finished his speech by reminding the crowd just how important voting is. He warned his supporters not to assume victory and keep pushing forward. “Don’t believe for a second this election is over,” he said.  “Don’t think for a minute that power concedes. We have to work like our future depends on it in this last week, because it does.”