From Bill Clinton quoting statistics and economic figures to support President Obama's fiscal policies to Michelle Obama painting her husband as a man America could still trust, Democratic convention speakers in Charlotte attempted this week to sustain President Barack Obama's message of optimism and hope that helped catapult him to the White House in 2008.
A prominent theme of the Democratic Convention was the idea that if Americans persevered and worked hard enough, they could achieve their dreams. But only if everyone began on the same playing field and played by the same rules, a reference to the idea that Republicans are out of touch with the middle class and their policies benefit the wealthiest.
Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren directly challenged Mitt Romney’s support of Citizens United, that corporations have the same rights as people do.
“No, Governor Romney, corporations are not people,” Warren said. “People have hearts. They have kids. They get jobs. They get sick. They cry, they dance. They live, they love, and they die, and that matters. That matters.”
San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro brought to life the hallmark of the United States: the American Dream. Political analysts noted that Castro reminded many delegates of Senator Barack Obama who spoke at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, who was also raised by a single mother but eventually rose to success through education.
In his 38-minute speech, Obama promised to boost K-12 education to maintain America’s prowess abroad, to increase the number of federal Pell grants, and to increase financial aid so students would not have to drop out of school because of high tuition costs.
To boost the faith and confidence in America, Obama credited the country, not himself, with the change brought about in the last four years, including references to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the DREAM Act, the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and the support of gay marriage.
"My fellow citizens, you were the change,” Obama told the audience. “You're the reason there's a little girl with a heart disorder in Phoenix who'll get the surgery she needs because an insurance company can't limit her coverage…"
"You're the reason a young immigrant who grew up here and went to school here and pledged allegiance to our flag will no longer be deported from the only country she's ever called home, why selfless soldiers won't be kicked out of the military because of who they are or who they love; why thousands of families have finally been able to say to the loved ones who served us so bravely: Welcome home, welcome home. You did that.”
Have the Democratic National Convention speakers convinced you to vote Barack Obama for President? Tell us why or why not in the comments.
