Michelle Obama, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro kick off DNC Day 1 with a bang
Democrats kicked off Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention, launching the re-election of President Obama ahead of the 2012 election, and convincing voters why they are ‘better off.’
The night was capped by a rousing speech from First Lady Michelle Obama who urged voters to give President Barack Obama another four years to fix the country. “Barack knows the American Dream because he’s lived it,” Obama said, “and he wants everyone in this country to have that same opportunity, no matter who we are, or where we’re from, or what we look like, or who we love.”
Speakers also included San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, Md. Gov. Martin O’Malley, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and actor and former Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement Kal Penn.
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- U.S. first lady Michelle Obama gestures after addressing the first session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Eric Thayer/Reuters)
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- First Lady Michelle Obama delivers a speech at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 4, 2012 on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). The DNC is expected to nominate US President Barack Obama to run for a second term as president. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
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- First Lady Michelle Obama delivers a speech at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 4, 2012 on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). The DNC is expected to nominate U.S. President Barack Obama to run for a second term as president. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
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- Supporters listen to a speech at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 4, 2012 on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
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- First Lady Michelle Obama speaks to the crowd at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 4, 2012 on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images)
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- First Lady Michelle Obama acknowledges the crowd at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 4, 2012 on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)
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- U.S. President Barack Obama and his daughters, Malia (L) and Sasha watch as U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama takes the stage to deliver her speech at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Pete Souza/White House Photo)
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- Julia Hicks listens to a speech by Newark Mayor Cory Booker at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 4, 2012 on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
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- Keynote speaker and San Antonio, Texas Mayor Julian Castro (L) waves along with his brother Joaquin Castro before addressing the first session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Jim Young/Reuters)
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- San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro (R) leaves the stage and greets his brother State Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) after giving the keynote address on stage during day one of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The DNC that will run through September 7, will nominate U.S. President Barack Obama as the Democratic presidential candidate. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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- Keynote speaker and San Antonio, Texas Mayor Julian Castro waves while addressing the first session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Eric Thayer/Reuters)
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- Supporters wave signs as San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro speaks to the audience at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 4, 2012 on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)
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- Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio, Texas, delivers the keynote address during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Chris Keane/Reuters)
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- San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro gives the keynote address on stage during day one of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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- Reverend Jesse Jackson is seen on the floor at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 4, 2012 on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A protestor yells at police during a standoff at the Democratic National Convention September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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- Police officers stand guard as demonstrators march during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. The demonstration was held to protest against capitalism. (John Adkisson/Reuters)
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- Police face off with protesters during a march on the Democratic National Convention September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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- A protestor yells at police during a march on the Democratic National Convention September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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- Police face off with protesters during a march on the Democratic National Convention September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Police officers from around the country are in Charlotte to provide security for the Democratic National Convention which begins today and runs through Thursday. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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- A person has a cutout of Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. President Barack Obama in his pocket during day one of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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- Monica Cabbler of Atlanta, GA prays during the benediction during day one of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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- Maryland, Gov. Martin O’Malley speaks during day one of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The DNC that will run through September 7, will nominate U.S. President Barack Obama as the Democratic presidential candidate. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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- Maryland, Gov. Martin O’Malley speaks during day one of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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- Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel addresses delegates at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Jim Young/Reuters)
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- U.S. first lady Michelle Obama’s brother Craig Robinson and President Obama’s sister Maya Soetoro-ng address delegates during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Jason Reed/Reuters)
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- Actor Kal Penn addresses delegates during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Jason Reed/Reuters)
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- Actor Kal Penn addresses the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Jim Young/Reuters)
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- Joe Kennedy III, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, Massachusetts, waves to the audience at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 4, 2012 on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)
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- Women’s rights activist Lilly Ledbetter speaks to the audience at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 4, 2012 on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)
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- Pam Martin, a Florida delegate from the Florida Keys, cheers during the first session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
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- Delegates wave campaign signs during the first session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Eric Thayer/Reuters)
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- Louisiana delegate Rodney McFarland awaits the start of the first day of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Jim Young/Reuters)
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- Convention-goers await the start of the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters)
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- Edgar Baker Phillips of the U.S. Virgin Islands wears a Mickey Mouse tophat as he awaits the start of the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters)
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- U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius tours the stage during a walk-through on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina September 4, 2012. (Jason Reed/Reuters)
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- Oregon delegate Kendra Murray poses with numerous buttons as she attends the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Jason Reed/Reuters)
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- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) talks with a member of the production staff (R) during a walk through ahead of the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Jason Reed/Reuters)
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- Actress and singer Amber Riley, of the television show “Glee,” sings the U.S. National Anthem during a rehearsal with a member of the color guard from the Disabled American Veterans, ahead of the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Jason Reed/Reuters)
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- Louisiana delegate Rodney McFarland awaits the start of the first day of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Jim Young/Reuters)
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- A delegate awaits the start of the first day of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Jim Young/Reuters)
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- Chairperson of Texas Senate District 13 Nat West of Houston wears a mini cowboy hat bearing the words, “No Friggin Big Hats!” in response to the Republicans hats worn at their convention last week. (Tom Fox/Dallas Morning News/MCT)
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- Tim Kubik smiles for photographers at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 4, 2012 before the start of the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
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- Victoria Cochran, a delegate from Virginia, looks around at the Time Warner Cable Arena on September 4, 2012 before the start of the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A person wears a hat with a bobblehead of Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. President Barack Obama during day one of the Democratic National Convention on September 4, 2012. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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- Delegate Joy A. Williams of Mississippi wears a decorated hat during day one of the Democratic National Convention on September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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- Rennick Taylor (L) and Kelly Jacob attend day one of the Democratic National Convention on September 4, 2012. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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- A person wears a pin that says “African Americans for Obama” on a hat during Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention on September 4, 2012. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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- Students of the 3rd grade class at W.R. Odell Elementary School of Concord, North Carolina do a walkthrough of the Pledge of Allegiance on stage during Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 4, 2012. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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- A sign supporting President Barack Obama is placed on a chair ahead of the first day of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012. (Jim Young/Reuters)
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- Delegate seats on the floor at the Warner Cable Arena are empty hours before the start of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
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- State delegation placards and a projection of U.S. presidents carved into Mt. Rushmore is seen in the Time Warner Cable Arena hours before the start of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
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- Demonstrators holding the U.S. Flag and a placard are reflected in the glasses of a police officer blocking protesters marching near the site of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina on September 4, 2012. (Adrees Latif/Reuters)
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- Protesters sit on the ground in protest during a demonstration in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012 ahead of the opening of the Democratic National Convention. (Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A protester confronts a police officer during a demonstration in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012 ahead of the opening of the Democratic National Convention. (Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images)
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- Protesters carry a replica of military drone plane during a demonstration in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012 ahead of the opening of the Democratic National Convention. (Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A protester with tape over his mouth faces police officers during a demonstration in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012 ahead of the opening of the Democratic National Convention. (Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images)
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- A demonstrator holds a Guy Fawkes mask in front of a line of police officers blocking a protest march near the site of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina on September 4, 2012. (Adrees Latif/Reuters)
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- A man holds a cross outside Charlotte Convention Center September 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
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- U.S. first lady Michelle Obama waves while touring the stage and podium a day before her speech to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 3, 2012. (Jim Young/Reuters)
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- Guy Fawkes masks are hung on the side of a tent where protesters were camped out for the start of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina September 3, 2012. (Philip Scott Andrews/Reuters)
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- Supporters of Planned Parenthood shout slogans and wave banners during a rally in support of US president Barack Obama in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4, 2012 ahead of the opening of the DNC. (Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images)
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- House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi tours the stage with her granddaughter Madeline Prowda (R) the day before the start of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 3, 2012. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
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- A woman clutches a bag with U.S. President Barack Obama’s portrait on it at CarolinaFest ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina September 3, 2012. (Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters)
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- Lynn Hinkle of Kansas City, Missouri shows off a pair of boxer shorts she made during a visit to CarolinaFest, Charlotte’s Labor Day street festival, September 3, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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- Stephen Kimel and his wife Greta Kimel attract costumers to take pictures at their photo booth which was set-up at a street festival for convention goers ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina on September 3, 2012. (Adrees Latif/Reuters)
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- Ed Hunt (L) and Forrest Bibbee stand outside a tent in Marshall Park where protestors in town for the Democratic National Convention have erected a tent city September 3, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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- People walk past a sand sculpture of Barack Obama along the streets of uptown Charlotte ahead of the Democratic National Convention on September 3, 2012. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Michelle Obama says change takes time, urges another term
Steve Holland | Reuters
12:37 a.m. EDT, September 5, 2012
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Reuters) – First lady Michelle Obama acknowledged on Tuesday that the change her husband Barack Obama championed in his White House campaign four years ago has proven difficult but urged voters to give him four more years to fix the struggling U.S. economy.
“He reminds me that we are playing a long game here, and that change is hard, and change is slow, and it never happens all at once,” she told the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. “But eventually we get there. We always do.”
The popular first lady was the highest-profile advocate for her husband in the first of three days of speeches that will conclude with Obama’s address on Thursday to accept the Democratic presidential nomination to face Mitt Romney on November 6.
In a race that is too close to call nine weeks before Americans vote, Obama is vulnerable to the challenge from Republican nominee Romney due to a sluggish economy and 8.3 percent unemployment.
Read More.
TRANSCRIPT: Michelle Obama’s remarks
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Baltimore street photographers
Year in review
Freddie Gray: protests, aftermath
24 hours with...
A. Aubrey Bodine
Viewing Baltimore from above
Jance brown
Sep 04, 2012 @ 23:13:49
Obamacare: yeah I applied for two different policies and got turned down for both because of pre-existing conditions… And this was in the last two months! On top of that I have to prepay the premium (s o the insurance co.- Can make interest)whether aim declined or accepted. But if not I don’t get a refund with interest. Obama for same sex marriage.. Smoke and mirrors. Govt should not get involved.. Let the church decide… National deficit over 16 trillion.. And the dems want to continue borrowing so they can buy votes! Hurray for the socialist USA president Obama!