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Democratic convention to call for four more Obama years Democratic convention calls for Obama re-election
(40 minutes later)
The US Democratic Party has launched its national convention, as it seeks to convince voters that President Barack Obama deserves a second term.The US Democratic Party has launched 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.
But an ABC News/Washington Post poll released as the convention got under way showed Mr Obama with the lowest pre-convention favorability for an incumbent president since the 1980s. But an ABC News/Washington Post poll released as the convention got under way showed Mr Obama with the lowest pre-convention favourability for an incumbent president since the 1980s.
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 addressFirst lady's address
The chair of the Democratic National Committee, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, brought the gala into session with a strike of the gavel at 17:00 EDT (21:00 GMT).The chair of the Democratic National Committee, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, brought the gala into session with a strike of the gavel at 17:00 EDT (21:00 GMT).
Shortly after the convention opened, delegates cheered their backing for the party's new platform in a open voice vote.Shortly after the convention opened, delegates cheered their backing for the party's new platform in a open voice vote.
Among the changes found in the text of the party's 2012 platform was the removal of language from the Middle East section referring to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.Among the changes found in the text of the party's 2012 platform was the removal of language from the Middle East section referring to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
#DNC2012 Rahm Emanuel, former chief of staff, mayor Chicago - on health care - the change President Obama delivered.@BBCNewsUS#DNC2012 Rahm Emanuel, former chief of staff, mayor Chicago - on health care - the change President Obama delivered.@BBCNewsUS
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    • #dmc2012 Ted Strickland - "If Mitt Romeny was Santa Claus he'd outsource the elves and fire the reindeer"@BBCNewsUSA#dmc2012 Ted Strickland - "If Mitt Romeny was Santa Claus he'd outsource the elves and fire the reindeer"@BBCNewsUSA
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    • RT @BBCNewsUS: VIA BBC's @Jonny_HallamOur view from the BBC radio position at #DNC #Charlotte http://t.co/gqMeg5a3RT @BBCNewsUS: VIA BBC's @Jonny_HallamOur view from the BBC radio position at #DNC #Charlotte http://t.co/gqMeg5a3
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    • #DNC2012 Former combat helicopter pilot Tam Duckworth, who lost both legs, suggests Romney ignores the troops @BBCNewsUS#DNC2012 Former combat helicopter pilot Tam Duckworth, who lost both legs, suggests Romney ignores the troops @BBCNewsUS
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    • RT @tobyharnden: Michelle Obama speech text released - embargoed until delivery. Runs to 2,914 words - 29 of them "Barack".RT @tobyharnden: Michelle Obama speech text released - embargoed until delivery. Runs to 2,914 words - 29 of them "Barack".
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    • Content from Twitter. Learn more about content from Twitter.Content from Twitter. Learn more about content from Twitter.
    That message was replaced with a passage referring to the party's "unshakeable commitment to Israel's security" and Mr Obama's "steadfast opposition to any attempt to delegitimize Israel".That message was replaced with a passage referring to the party's "unshakeable commitment to Israel's security" and Mr Obama's "steadfast opposition to any attempt to delegitimize Israel".
    The change prompted criticism from Republicans and Mitt Romney, who accuse Mr Obama of "selling out" a key US ally.The change prompted criticism from Republicans and Mitt Romney, who accuse Mr Obama of "selling out" a key US ally.
    Earlier on Tuesday, the president stopped off to campaign in the swing state of Virginia on his way to North Carolina. Tuesday's first session saw a series of Democratic governors, members of Congress, mayors and electoral candidates speak in support of Mr Obama and his policies, most notably his much-criticised healthcare reform law.
    "Now I know that whatever I say here today is going to be at best a distant second to the speech you will hear tonight from the star of the Obama family, Michelle Obama," he told supporters. A video tribute to the late Senator Edward Kennedy included clips from his 1994 Senate debate with Mr Romney, and independent Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee argued that his former party - the Republicans - had lost their way and had forfeited the label of conservative.
    He expected to "start getting all misty" when his wife took the stage, he added. Former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said the next president would set the tone for the next 40 years.
    Mrs Obama's address on Tuesday night is expected to highlight the president's character and attributes as a father and husband. "It will be the president's leadership that determines how we as a nation meet the challenges that face the middle class. It is the president's values that shape a future in which the middle class has hope," he said.
    Speaking to a SiriusXM radio host, 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 address at the end of Tuesday's session will highlight the president's character and praise his attributes as a father and husband.
    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. Her 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.
    Julian Castro, the Latino Mayor of San Antonio, Texas, is due to give the keynote address. Julian Castro, the Latino Mayor of San Antonio, Texas, will give the keynote address immediately before Mrs Obama.
    Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a former White House chief of staff, will also take to the stage.
    No showsNo shows
    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, both citing personal commitments.Nor will California Governor Jerry Brown and former Vice-President Al Gore be present, both citing 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 speechObama 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.
    Meanwhile, Republicans were quick to seize on a remark Mr Obama made on Monday, in which he told a local Colorado news station that he would give himself an "incomplete" grade on the economy.Meanwhile, Republicans were quick to seize on a remark Mr Obama made on Monday, in which he told a local Colorado news station that he would give himself an "incomplete" grade on the economy.
    Vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan told CBS News that the US should be "bouncing out of" the recent recession. "We're not creating jobs at near the pace we could," he said.Vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan told CBS News that the US should be "bouncing out of" the recent recession. "We're not creating jobs at near the pace we could," he said.
    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.