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Democratic convention to makes case for four more years 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.
The chair of the Democratic National Committee will gavel the gala into session at 17:00 EDT (21:00 GMT). First lady's address
Mr Obama is due to campaign in the swing state of Virginia on his way to North Carolina. 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.
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 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 saddled with an unemployment rate of 8.3%, the opinion polls have shown voters favour Mr Romney on economic issues. 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.