This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19479717
The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
12
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Democratic convention to make case for four more years | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The US Democratic Party is poised to launch its national convention, as it seeks to convince voters that President Barack Obama deserves a second term. | The US Democratic Party is poised to launch its national convention, as it seeks to convince voters that President Barack Obama deserves a second term. |
First Lady Michelle Obama and former President Bill Clinton are among those who will address the three-day jamboree in Charlotte, North Carolina. | First Lady Michelle Obama and former President Bill Clinton are among those who will address the three-day jamboree in Charlotte, North Carolina. |
Republican nominee Mitt Romney is expected to spend the week preparing for a series of debates with Mr Obama. | Republican nominee Mitt Romney is expected to spend the week preparing for a series of debates with Mr Obama. |
A recent opinion poll shows Mr Obama maintains a thin lead over Mr Romney. | A recent opinion poll shows Mr Obama maintains a thin lead over Mr Romney. |
With November's election looming, the president will aim to recapture the political spotlight over the next few days, after last week's Republican convention. | With November's election looming, the president will aim to recapture the political spotlight over the next few days, after last week's Republican convention. |
Mr Obama is expected to answer Republican attacks that his economic policies have failed, and present himself to voters as an experienced and caring alternative to Mr Romney. | Mr Obama is expected to answer Republican attacks that his economic policies have failed, and present himself to voters as an experienced and caring alternative to Mr Romney. |
First lady's address | |
Ahead of the convention, the president is spending the day campaigning in the swing state of Virginia on his way to North Carolina. | |
The chair of the Democratic National Committee, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, will gavel the gala into session at 17:00 EDT (21:00 GMT). | |
Mrs Obama's address on Tuesday night is expected to highlight the president's character and attributes as a father and husband. | |
Speaking to the convention radio, SiriusXM, Mrs Obama said: "I am going to remind people about the values that drive my husband to do what he has done and what he is going to do for the next four years." | |
Mrs Obama's remarks will inevitably be compared and contrasted with those by would-be first lady Ann Romney, who gave a glowing tribute to her husband last week to the Republican convention in Tampa, Florida. | |
The Democratic convention is likely to highlight the party's diversity, with young black and Hispanic party members set to deliver speeches. | The Democratic convention is likely to highlight the party's diversity, with young black and Hispanic party members set to deliver speeches. |
On Tuesday, Julian Castro, the Latino Mayor of San Antonio, Texas, is due to give the keynote address. | On Tuesday, Julian Castro, the Latino Mayor of San Antonio, Texas, is due to give the keynote address. |
No shows | |
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a former White House chief of staff, will also take to the stage. | Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a former White House chief of staff, will also take to the stage. |
But a number of the country's top Democratic figures will not attend. | But a number of the country's top Democratic figures will not attend. |
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is missing a Democratic convention for the first time in more than 40 years on account of ethical guidelines preventing cabinet heads from participating in political activities. | Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is missing a Democratic convention for the first time in more than 40 years on account of ethical guidelines preventing cabinet heads from participating in political activities. |
Nor will California Governor Jerry Brown and former Vice-President Al Gore be present, because of personal commitments. | Nor will California Governor Jerry Brown and former Vice-President Al Gore be present, because of personal commitments. |
A number of Democratic congressional candidates and incumbents have also declined to attend, as they are engaged in tough battles for election in November. | A number of Democratic congressional candidates and incumbents have also declined to attend, as they are engaged in tough battles for election in November. |
The Democratic gathering will see Mr Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden formally re-nominated as the party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates on Wednesday. | The Democratic gathering will see Mr Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden formally re-nominated as the party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates on Wednesday. |
Later that evening, there will be speeches from Elizabeth Warren, who is fighting Republican incumbent Scott Brown in a high-profile race for a Massachusetts Senate seat, and former President Clinton. | Later that evening, there will be speeches from Elizabeth Warren, who is fighting Republican incumbent Scott Brown in a high-profile race for a Massachusetts Senate seat, and former President Clinton. |
The convention culminates on Thursday with speeches from Mr Obama and Mr Biden. | The convention culminates on Thursday with speeches from Mr Obama and Mr Biden. |
Obama stadium speech | |
The gala also offers the Democrats the chance to make a high-profile pitch to voters in North Carolina, a state that narrowly voted for Mr Obama in 2008, but is now firmly up for grabs. | The gala also offers the Democrats the chance to make a high-profile pitch to voters in North Carolina, a state that narrowly voted for Mr Obama in 2008, but is now firmly up for grabs. |
As they did four years ago, the Democrats will take the event outside the convention centre for the president's prime-time speech, taking over a 74,000-seater stadium in Charlotte for the final night of speeches. | As they did four years ago, the Democrats will take the event outside the convention centre for the president's prime-time speech, taking over a 74,000-seater stadium in Charlotte for the final night of speeches. |
Organisers are working to ensure a full house for Mr Obama's speech. But organisers are concerned that thunderstorms forecast to hit Charlotte during the convention could keep people away. | Organisers are working to ensure a full house for Mr Obama's speech. But organisers are concerned that thunderstorms forecast to hit Charlotte during the convention could keep people away. |
In a speech in Ohio on Monday, Mr Obama billed the Republican convention as a showcase for ideas from a bygone era. | In a speech in Ohio on Monday, Mr Obama billed the Republican convention as a showcase for ideas from a bygone era. |
"Despite all the challenges that we face in this new century, we saw three straight days of an agenda out of the last century," he said. "It was a re-run. You might as well have watched it on black-and-white TV." | "Despite all the challenges that we face in this new century, we saw three straight days of an agenda out of the last century," he said. "It was a re-run. You might as well have watched it on black-and-white TV." |
A Gallup opinion poll on Monday suggested the convention had given the Republicans only the slightest of boosts, with 40% saying they were now more likely to vote for Mr Romney but 38% of respondents describing themselves as less likely to. | A Gallup opinion poll on Monday suggested the convention had given the Republicans only the slightest of boosts, with 40% saying they were now more likely to vote for Mr Romney but 38% of respondents describing themselves as less likely to. |
Mr Obama maintained a lead over Mr Romney of one percentage point - as he had done before the event. | Mr Obama maintained a lead over Mr Romney of one percentage point - as he had done before the event. |
With the US economy facing an unemployment rate of 8.3%, the opinion polls have shown voters favour Mr Romney on economic issues. | |
But Mr Obama has led "likeability" ratings and is perceived to have a better understanding of voters - attributes some analysts say could ultimately hold the key to success in November. | But Mr Obama has led "likeability" ratings and is perceived to have a better understanding of voters - attributes some analysts say could ultimately hold the key to success in November. |