RALEIGH -- The Democratic National Convention is over, and now that Sen. Barack Obama has secured the party's nomination for president, his supporters believe it's time to mobilize voters.

They said reaching out to potential voters is more important than ever as November approaches.

At Obama's campaign headquarters in Raleigh, volunteers said they hope to spread the enthusiasm of Thursday's national convention one call at a time.

"Obama has given America a promise that is long overdue," said Andrew Cann, a sophomore at Shaw University who volunteers with the campaign. "He is reassuring the American dream for everyone."

At watch parties held across the state Thursday night, Obama supporters saw him secure the Democratic Party's nomination for president. They said they hope the enthusiasm generated by that nomination will last through Election Day.

"People just need to learn how to have hope," said April Cannon, a Shaw University student who also volunteers at Obama's headquarters in Raleigh. "People say that they want change, but to be honest with you, people are afraid of you. But change is here."

Paul Cox, the press secretary for Obama's campaign in North Carolina, said the Illinois senator faces other challenges too.

"He has the task of clearly defining the contrast between himself and Sen. [John] McCain, and I think he did that," Cox said.

He added that he's optimistic Obama can meet that challenge with help from his supporters.

"We're not leaving any stone unturned," Cox said. "We are organizing in every corner of the state, rural and urban, cities and towns, so that's what this campaign is going to come down to in North Carolina."

Cox said more than 6,000 volunteers work in North Carolina on behalf of Obama's campaign. Earlier this month the campaign opened its 16th office in North Carolina.