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Democratic convention: Obama to pitch for second term Democratic convention: Obama to pitch for second term
(about 2 hours later)
US President Barack Obama is set to make a prime-time pitch for re-election on the final day of the Democratic convention in North Carolina.US President Barack Obama is set to make a prime-time pitch for re-election on the final day of the Democratic convention in North Carolina.
Accepting his party's re-nomination, Mr Obama is expected to reach out both to undecided voters and his party base.Accepting his party's re-nomination, Mr Obama is expected to reach out both to undecided voters and his party base.
On Wednesday, ex-President Bill Clinton told the gala no-one could have fixed in four years the economic "mess" Mr Obama inherited from the Republicans.On Wednesday, ex-President Bill Clinton told the gala no-one could have fixed in four years the economic "mess" Mr Obama inherited from the Republicans.
Republican Mitt Romney challenges Mr Obama for the White House in November.Republican Mitt Romney challenges Mr Obama for the White House in November.
Opinion polls show the two contenders neck and neck. Opinion polls show the two contenders neck-and-neck.
A third night of speeches will include former Republican Florida governor Charlie Christ, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry and Vice-President Joe Biden.
A senior White House adviser, David Plouffe, told ABC News' Good Morning America on Thursday that Mr Obama's speech would give "a very clear sense of where he thinks the country needs to go economically, the path we need to take".A senior White House adviser, David Plouffe, told ABC News' Good Morning America on Thursday that Mr Obama's speech would give "a very clear sense of where he thinks the country needs to go economically, the path we need to take".
Democrats hope the Democratic president's oratorical gifts can recapture the enthusiasm that helped sweep him to power in 2008.Democrats hope the Democratic president's oratorical gifts can recapture the enthusiasm that helped sweep him to power in 2008.
But BBC North America editor Mark Mardell says disillusionment has replaced much of the energy unleashed by Mr Obama's message of hope and change four years ago.But BBC North America editor Mark Mardell says disillusionment has replaced much of the energy unleashed by Mr Obama's message of hope and change four years ago.
This convention has been all about persuading, frightening and exciting Mr Obama's disaffected supporters to join him again, says our correspondent.This convention has been all about persuading, frightening and exciting Mr Obama's disaffected supporters to join him again, says our correspondent.
There will be no grand visual spectacle like the one in 2008 when the candidate, then an Illinois senator, accepted the nomination at a packed football stadium in Denver, Colorado.There will be no grand visual spectacle like the one in 2008 when the candidate, then an Illinois senator, accepted the nomination at a packed football stadium in Denver, Colorado.
Organisers have moved Thursday's speech from a 74,000-seat arena in Charlotte to the indoor convention venue with space for 15,000, citing severe weather forecasts.Organisers have moved Thursday's speech from a 74,000-seat arena in Charlotte to the indoor convention venue with space for 15,000, citing severe weather forecasts.
Vice-President Joe Biden will speak on Thursday ahead of Mr Obama.Vice-President Joe Biden will speak on Thursday ahead of Mr Obama.
Mr Clinton's 50-minute speech on Wednesday was strongly critical of Republican economic plans, while offering a staunch defence of Mr Obama, whose remedies he said were working.Mr Clinton's 50-minute speech on Wednesday was strongly critical of Republican economic plans, while offering a staunch defence of Mr Obama, whose remedies he said were working.
He said the Republican campaign argument is "pretty simple: 'We left him a total mess, he hasn't cleaned it up yet, so fire him and put us back in.'"He said the Republican campaign argument is "pretty simple: 'We left him a total mess, he hasn't cleaned it up yet, so fire him and put us back in.'"
Mr Clinton, 66, said: "Listen to me now. No president. No president - not me, not any of my predecessors - no-one could have fully repaired all the damage that he found in just four years.Mr Clinton, 66, said: "Listen to me now. No president. No president - not me, not any of my predecessors - no-one could have fully repaired all the damage that he found in just four years.
"But he has laid the foundations for a new, modern, successful economy of shared prosperity. And if you will renew the president's contract you will feel it. You will feel it.""But he has laid the foundations for a new, modern, successful economy of shared prosperity. And if you will renew the president's contract you will feel it. You will feel it."
After the speech, Mr Clinton was joined onstage by Mr Obama, making his first appearance at the convention. Mr Clinton bowed to the president and the two men embraced.After the speech, Mr Clinton was joined onstage by Mr Obama, making his first appearance at the convention. Mr Clinton bowed to the president and the two men embraced.
Relations between the pair were strained after the bitter election campaign of 2008 when Mr Obama wrested the Democratic nomination from Hillary Clinton.Relations between the pair were strained after the bitter election campaign of 2008 when Mr Obama wrested the Democratic nomination from Hillary Clinton.
But correspondents say Mr Obama needs the former president's help to reach out to white working-class voters.But correspondents say Mr Obama needs the former president's help to reach out to white working-class voters.
Opinion polls show these traditional Democratic voters are wary of Mr Obama, but like Mr Clinton.Opinion polls show these traditional Democratic voters are wary of Mr Obama, but like Mr Clinton.
In a procedural surprise as Wednesday's events got under way, the convention reinstated language from the 2008 platform describing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.In a procedural surprise as Wednesday's events got under way, the convention reinstated language from the 2008 platform describing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
In confusing scenes a voice vote on the language was called three times. Despite loud boos in the audience, convention chair Antonio Villaraigosa said he had determined that two-thirds of the convention had voted in favour.In confusing scenes a voice vote on the language was called three times. Despite loud boos in the audience, convention chair Antonio Villaraigosa said he had determined that two-thirds of the convention had voted in favour.
Mr Obama had reportedly personally intervened to change the platform's language.Mr Obama had reportedly personally intervened to change the platform's language.