Obama Hosts Town Hall at UMd.

President Barack Obama spread his message about the  at a town hall meeting Friday morning at the University of Maryland campus.

"Basically, there’s some people out there who argue we’re not going to raise the debt ceiling any more," he said to a crowd filling Ritchie Coliseum. "And the problem is, effectively what that’s saying is we’re not going to pay some of our bills. Well, the United States of America does not run out without paying the tab," he said to applause.

The president accepted questions from audience members after his speech, including a question from former University of Maryland basketball player and former U.S. Congressman Tom McMillen.

"You know, we’re focused so much on this debt right now and the debt limit, but this country could be sliding into another slowdown. And how do we avoid what happened to President Roosevelt in the '30s?" McMillen asked.

Obama said he is hoping for a balanced budget agreement that both makes a serious commitment to deficit reduction, while also including items that would help the economy grow right now, suggesting a renewed payroll tax cut and renewed unemployment insurance would help.

Local elected officials were present during the event, and some of them were even acknowledged by the president from stage, like College Park Mayor Andrew Fellows.

Fellows said he felt Obama communicated a forward moving approach to improving the economic situation.

"This country really wants to move forward and some parts of the Congress want to do nothing but cut," he said.

County Councilman Eric Olson agreed. "We've got to solve this crisis, but we also have to take care of people," he said.

Read the , or read on below for a play-by-play.

Update: 12:08 p.m: The president concluded his Q&A with the audience by addressing the young folks.

"America has gone through tougher times before but we've always come through... we're stronger and more unified," Obama said.

Update, 11:47 a.m.: President Barack Obama began taking questions from audience members shortly after 11:20 a.m.

Obama was asked about his regrets during his presidency and about his thoughts on decriminalizing drugs.

One audience member, a Montgomery County teacher, asked about how she can teach students about government and compromise when politicians are not compromising.

One speaker even asked to shake his hand.

Update, 11:16 a.m.: Before taking audience questions, President Barack Obama talked about the deficit debate in Washington.

"Regardless of what you feel about the policies, regardless of your views, they all cost money," Obama said. "There's too much debt on America’s credit card."

He added, "Neither party is blameless, but both parties have the priority to solve it. If we don’t solve it, every American will suffer."

Update: 11 a.m.: President Barack Obama arrived to cheers Friday shortly after 11 a.m.

Obama gave shout-outs to College Park Mayor Andrew Fellows, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and UMd. President Wallace Loh.

Update: 10:35 a.m.: Rabbi Ari Israel led a prayer in which he told a story of Abraham from the Bible.

"Today at this town hall meeting," Israel said, "we are ready to act."

Prior to the rabbi speaking, Patrick Cook, a graduate student in the Maryland Opera Studio, sang the National Anthem.

Update, 10:11 a.m.: Less than an hour remains until President Barack Obama speaks to an audience at University of Maryland's on-campus gymnasium.

Police have shut down Route 1 through College Park, although at this time Patch cannot confirm whether Obama has arrived.

As the crowd anticipates his arrival, the university blares American-themed, country music over the loudspeakers.

Update, 9:13 a.m.: President Barack Obama isn't set to speak until 11 a.m., but the Ritchie Coliseum is already packed with media, local politicians like Prince George's County Councilman Eric Olson and guests.

The stage is decked out with five American flags, while dogs, police and men in suits check all who enter.

The excitement is brewing, while folks wait for another 1.5 hours for the event to begin.

Original post, 8:39 a.m: Media were on the risers at Ritchie Coliseum as early as 5:15 a.m. Ticket holders were in line as early as 6 a.m.

As the sun rose on College Park, the city already seemed ready for the arrival of President Barack Obama, who is holding a town hall meeting at noon today. According to the university website, this is the fourth time Obama has spoken at the University of Maryland.

We can expect Obama to cover topics ranging from health care to the debt ceiling, according to the UMd. website.

If you aren't a lucky ticket holder who braved the , the meeting will be live streamed on the White House website. Follow @whitehouse on Twitter and submit questions that include "#AskObama."

Follow College Park Patch on Twitter (@CollegePrkPatch) for the event, marked with #townhall and #Obama. If you're at the event, tweet your thoughts back to @CollegePrkPatch.