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Four years later Democrats have gathered again, this time in support of a president who carries the power and the burden of incumbency, both in evidence as the opening gavel is struck at the Democratic National Convention.
President Barack Obama demonstrated the power Monday in a convention-eve visit to hurricane-stricken lands in Louisiana, (L) offering aid and empathy. His burden is a ragged economy that is at the core of the hotly competitive contest with Republican Mitt Romney.
Michelle Obama's speech Tuesday night is an early highlight of a three-day schedule that has drawn thousands of delegates to a state Obama narrowly carried in 2008.
Although Obama no longer is the fresh-faced newbie who leveraged a short Senate career into an audacious run for the nation's highest office, Democrats were counting on massive numbers to pack a stadium for his speech later in the week.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: What To Watch | DNC Guests | Keynote Speaker | Democratic Party Platform | Local Delegates | Tonight's Prime Time Schedule VIDEO: Time Lapse of Preps Inside The Convention Hall
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Dave Levinthal, Politico.com |
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CBS's Pam Coulter in Charlotte |
Erie County Exec. Mark Poloncarz |
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Time Lapse Video: Getting the Convention Hall Ready
from The Democratic National Convention via YouTube
Here are some things to watch for at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday:
1. THE DISAPPOINTMENT CHARGE: How will the first day's speakers address the Republican assertion that President Barack Obama's first term has been a "disappointment"? Will they tackle the notion head on?
2. THE FIRST LADY: Michelle Obama's main goal is to differentiate her husband from his Republican opponent, but she rarely mentions Mitt Romney by name. She'll wrap things up Tuesday night.
3. LONE STAR: The convention's keynote speaker, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, is a rising Democratic star, and some speculate he could become the next governor of Texas - or even the first Hispanic president.
4. ROMNEY, REMOTELY: What will we hear from the newly minted GOP nominee as his rival has a moment in the spotlight? What will the Republicans' "counter-programming" be during the Democratic convention?
5. THE EMPTY CHAIR: Can Democrats capitalize on Clint Eastwood's unusual pop-culture moment last week, or even make political hay out of it? Or would it be smarter to stay away?
| Charlotte mayor rising as Dems' convention begins | |
| Anthony Foxx had been mayor for barely a year when he got the news: Charlotte was chosen to host the Democratic National Convention. | |
| Democratic platform focuses on fixing the economy | |
| Democrats unveiled a party platform at their national convention Monday that echoes President Barack Obama's call for higher taxes on wealthier Americans while backing same-sex marriage and abortion rights. | |
| First lady's focus is drawing contrast with Romney | |
| Michelle Obama rarely mentions Mitt Romney by name. But everything she says during this presidential campaign is meant to draw a contrast between her husband and his Republican challenger. | |
| DNC keynoter Castro follows mother's tougher path | |
| San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro is a rising star in the Democrats' firmament with a collection of mostly favorable media profiles, a landslide re-election last year and speculation about whether he'll become the governor of Texas or even the country's first Hispanic president. | |
| DNC guests to party with donors, special interests | |
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Democrats flocking to their national convention will spend this week hobnobbing in Charlotte, N.C., with lobbyists, special interest groups and wealthy donors, just days after Republicans hosted their own party of all political parties in Tampa, Fla. |
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Call to Order The Honorable Debbie Wasserman Schultz,
Invocation: His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Detroit | Presentation of Colors: Disabled American Veterans, The Stanly County Chapter 12 Honor Guard Pledge of Allegiance: 3rd Grade Class, W.R. O’Dell Elementary School, Concord, North Carolina | National Anthem: Amber Riley Singer/songwriter and ‘Glee’ actress
Remarks: Stephen J. Kerrigan, Chief Executive Officer of the Democratic National Convention Committee
Welcome Video | Remarks : The Honorable Steny Hoyer,Democratic Whip and Member of the US House of Representatives, Maryland, Andrew Tobias, Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee, Alice Germond, Secretary of the Democratic National Committee
Roll Call for Attendance
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Platform Committee Remarks The Honorable Barbara Lee, Member of the US House of Representatives, California, Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy (Retired) , First woman to reach rank of three-star general in the US Army
Platform Video and Remarks: The Honorable Cory A. Booker, Mayor of Newark, New Jersey
Remarks: The Honorable Bev Perdue, Governor of North Carolina
American Hero Video: Education, American Voices Remarks Ryan Case Remarks Mary Kay Henry, International President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Remarks from Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus : The Honorable Charles Gonzalez , Member of the US House of Representatives, Texas Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus & The Honorable Nydia M. Velázquez, Member of the US House of Representatives, New York
Remarks The Honorable Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois
Remarks Doug Stern, Cincinnati, Ohio Firefighter
Remarks The Honorable Tim Kaine, Candidate for the US Senate, Virginia, Former Governor of Virginia Former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Remarks The Honorable Anthony R. Foxx, Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, The Honorable Harry Reid, Democratic Majority Leader and Member of the US Senate, Nevada
An Economy Built to Last Video: Education | Women of the US House of Representatives: | Jimmy Carter Video
Remarks: The Honorable Ken Salazar
Kennedy Family Tribute Video
Remarks: Joe Kennedy III, Candidate for the US House of Representatives, Massachusetts
Live Performance Ledisi, Singer/songwriter
Remarks; The Honorable Robert Wexler, President of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace, Former Member of the US House of Representatives, Florida
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Remarks The Honorable R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Honorable Jared Polis, Member of the US House of Representatives, Colorado
Stronger Together Video: Reproductive Choice
American Voices Remarks: Maria Ciano
Remarks: Nancy Keenan , President of the National Abortion Rights Action League – Pro-Choice America (NARAL)
Progress for People Video: American Veterans
Remarks: Nate Davis, The Honorable Tammy Duckworth, Candidate for the US House of Representatives, Illinois, Former Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Veterans Affairs
The Honorable Lincoln Chafee Governor of Rhode Island | The Honorable James E. Clyburn, Assistant Democratic Leader and Member of the US House of Representatives, South Carolina
Progress for People Video: Health Care
Remarks: Stacey Lihn , The Honorable Xavier Becerra House of Representatives, California
9:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The Honorable Ted Strickland, Former Governor of Ohio, The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius, Secy, HHS, The Honorable Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago, Illinois, Fmer White House Chief of Staff
Remarks : Kal Penn, Actor/Producer, Former Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement
Remarks: Craig Robinson and Maya Soetoro-ng, Brother of Mrs. Obama and Sister of President Obama
Stronger Together Video: Equal Pay Remarks: Lilly Ledbetter, Women’s equality leader and namesake of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, The Honorable Deval Patrick, Gov. of Massachusetts
10:00 PM – 11:00 PM
The Hon. Martin O’Malley, Governor of Maryland
Introduction of Keynote Speaker Julián Castro: Joaquin Castro, Brother of Mayor Julián Castro, Candidate for the US House of Representatives, Texas
Keynote Address: The Honorable Julián Castro, Mayor of San Antonio, Texas
Michelle Obama Video and Remarks: Elaine Brye
Remarks: Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States
Benediction: Jena Lee Nardella, Founder and Executive Director of Blood: Water Mission