President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden accepted the nomination for re-election at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C last week. The DNC was in session from Monday Sept. 3 to Thursday Sept. 6. This was the first major party convention to be held in North Carolina.
The convention opened on Monday morning with a press conference and concluded on Thursday night with Biden and Obama’s acceptance speeches. Obama was selected as the official presidential candidate for the Democratic Party through a unanimous vote from the delegation. Former President Bill Clinton delivered the official nomination speech for Obama in front of a large audience.
Among the multiple distinguished convention speakers were keynote speaker and Mayor of San Antonio, Texas Julian Castro; Mayor of Newark, N.J. Cory Booker; first lady Michelle Obama; former President Bill Clinton; Vice President Joe Biden; author Caroline Kennedy and actress Scarlett Johansson. Johansson’s speech was short and emphasized the importance of voting rather than the central points of the Obama campaign.
Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords also made an appearance, leading the Pledge of Allegiance on Thursday night with the help of friend U.S. Rep and DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz. The audience met her address with tears and name chanting. While Giffords did not make a full speech, her presence verified the stark improvement in her health.
Obama’s speech focused on both the small and large improvements he has put forth in attempt to improve the country. He discussed the decrease in the unemployment rate and attempted to dissuade the middle class from voting a candidate into office that would increase corporate tax cuts. Student opinions of Obama and the convention were varied.
“I have been an Obama supporter since he came into office in 2008 and I think that his campaign for reelection has gone smoothly so far,” said sophomore Lauren Costello. “His speech was well thought-out and well-spoken.”
“I think that both Romney and Obama succeeded at what they were aiming to cover in their speeches, but there wasn’t one speech that stuck out as more inspired or successful than the other,” said sophomore Ryan Powell. “The rest of the campaign will definitely be interesting.”