Focus Now Turns To Democrats, Obama In Charlotte

September 4, 2012

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As Democrats gather here this week to officially nominate President Barack Obama for a second term, their national convention is expected to have a strikingly different tone than last week’s Republican celebration.

In Tampa last week, GOP speakers and nominee Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, tried to use their nationally-broadcast platform to remind voters of the struggling economy and give them a reason to reverse course in hopes of turning things around.

By contrast, Democrats are expected to try to make the case that Republican policies were responsible for the financial crisis that sparked the Great Recession to begin with, and that Obama has things headed in the right direction and deserves a chance to see things through.

That case might already have been made more difficult when Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, a Democrat, told CBS’ Bob Schieffer this weekend that Americans weren’t better off than they were four years ago.

The convention is also expected to have less of a Florida feel than its Republican counterpart, in part because the GOP confab was held in Tampa and in part because there are fewer Democratic statewide elected officials than Republicans in Florida.

But Democrats will be keeping an eye on U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, whose seat has turned into one of several the party hopes will allow it to hold onto its Senate majority. And former Gov. Charlie Crist, who bolted the Republican Party in 2010 and endorsed Obama in an op-ed piece in the Tampa Bay Times last week, is reportedly scheduled to address the convention.

State delegates are also expected to begin sizing up potential gubernatorial candidates for 2014, when Democrats hope Gov. Rick Scott’s dismal approval ratings will give them a chance to win the Governor’s Mansion for the first time since Lawton Chiles was elected in 1994.

Florida, however, will still be center stage. Republicans have conceded that a win for Romney in the electoral college becomes an almost impossible task if Obama carries Florida, and the president’s path to 270 electoral votes is also far easier with the state than without it.

That helps explain why Florida Republicans were chosen to deliver some of the more pointed criticisms of Obama from the podium in Tampa, criticisms that Obama will have to trump this week.
“Hope and change has become divide and conquer,” said U.S. Sen Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who was chosen to introduce Romney before his acceptance speech.

Perhaps ironically, the Obama campaign could try to focus more attention on the president’s foreign policy, a weak point when he ran against U.S. Sen John McCain, a Vietnam veteran, in 2008.

In his weekly address, Obama gave hints of how he might try to thread the needle between highlighting foreign policy achievements — the killing of Osama bin Laden, the end of the war in Iraq, the NATO operation that toppled Muammar Gaddhafi and the winding down of the war in Afghanistan — while projecting a forward-looking message about the next four years.

“As we turn the page on a decade of war, it’s time to do some nation-building here at home,” Obama said. “ … It’s time to build a nation that lives up to the ideals that so many Americans have fought for — a nation where they can realize the dream they sacrificed to protect.”

Still, the Obama campaign has signaled that it will not necessarily let up on its efforts to paint Romney as a political chameleon focused on helping the wealthy.

“The goal of our convention is to bring the choice in this election into sharp focus,” deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter said on a conference call last week.

But the campaign also hopes to make a potentially tricky case: That while even Democrats admit that the pace of the recovery is not as fast as it perhaps should be, Obama’s policies have paid off in helping to save the automobile industry and extend health care to millions of Americans.

“The country’s gone through a difficult period together, but we’ve made a difference,” said David Axelrod, one of the campaign’s chief strategists.

And Cutter noted that the 12 million jobs Romney promised to create in his speech to the convention matched the current Congressional Budget Office projections for job growth anyway.

“That wasn’t exactly bold leadership,” she said.

Comments

19 Responses to “Focus Now Turns To Democrats, Obama In Charlotte”

  1. Bob hudson on September 4th, 2012 8:25 pm

    Well from what I have bing, yes they have, Wow, never thought I would see the party that I have belong to for 37 years deny God. So mush for being a christian in the democratic party. You are either for him , or against him,(God’s word) not my words the Bible’s. And I guess they have made their choice. My God have mercy on their souls. To all my fellow Blue dogs democrats, they have let us down, its time to change parties.

  2. Bob hudson on September 4th, 2012 8:04 pm

    Is it true that the DNC just removed the words (God-given) from their platform? I read it but really do not want to believe it.( as much as we disagree) But if they have ,( They have turn in to a Godless Party, just like I think they wish to make this country. ) My opinion , this is a very, very sad day, if it is true. My God help us. Ex-democrat.

  3. Big B little ill on September 4th, 2012 7:57 pm

    People your waisting your time trying to tell a liberal democrat anything. God put blinders on them November 2008 and most of them still have them on. If they would listen to what Obama says, not Fox new, not MSNBC news, Not CNN news then they would know that what we say is true. All you have to do is check out youtube and you can fine all kinds of, from his on mouth truths of what we say. Even while he was a senator he admitts to being born in Kenya, his wife admitts he was born in Kenya, his grand mother admitts he was born in Kenya. As long as they listen to what Van Jones and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Chris Matthews and so many more they will never be the wiser.

  4. Jimbo on September 4th, 2012 5:39 pm

    @ Kathy, Hey Kathy, what’s Obama GIVING you? Is it , OPM? (other people’s money) What do you say to Obama in regard to Obama’s Department of Homeland Security granting work visas to 1000’s of Haitians imigrants here in the U.S. when 8.3% of Americans are out of work? Nice huh? This adminstration won’t face facts.

    In 07 the Dems took charge of Congress under Bush. Their new lending regulations are what made the housing market collapse. They own it. Bush warned on 5 different occaisions that the housing market was in danger. Danger was a word that fell on deaf ears and the spiral continued. Well, look at us now.
    They want 4 more years to “finish” the job? LOL 4 more years and we truly will be “FINISHED.”

  5. Bob hudson on September 4th, 2012 3:09 pm

    New records Mr. Obama has reached. greatest national debt by one sitting president in 4 years. 6 trillion dollars. Greatest amount of people on welfare, in 4 year. 46.2 million, greatest racked up USDA spending on welfare in 4 years, 75.7 billion dollars, but that is because the USDA has been actively pushing participation(wonder who is pushing them?) By the way these are all public government records. Good Job Prez. Now add to that 8.3 current unemployed, and 23 million out of work. Oh, and and increase in government growth by 25% in 4 years. Yep , now that is a record to be proud of.

  6. Bob hudson on September 4th, 2012 2:51 pm

    Yes Planned Parent hood supports abortion the same way PETA supports saving animals. And Peta has put down a lot of animals. Odd is it not?

  7. Bob hudson on September 4th, 2012 2:46 pm

    Kathy, why should I pay for your birth control? I shouldn’t . You want it you buy it.

  8. Bob hudson on September 4th, 2012 2:45 pm

    Kathy , yes there are places that support and encourage killing of unborn children, Its call Planned Parent Hood, who are supported by our tax dollars, By the way, animals can smell death, and they know when some thing is wrong, But we decide very early, that if we do not want it, we kill it. Animals do not do that. If there is some thing wrong while animal is in term, nature does it for them. What do we do we seek out some one to do it for us. We need to make it so if abortion is to continue, the mother must take full charge of the act, no help, no one else. She is reponsiable for it all. Sounds far to me. Word of advice , if you have children who are pro-abortion, never let them make any life caring decisions for you. You might end up in the same place as they feel about their unborn children, can’t afford it, don’t want the hassle, don’t have time, burden on our nation. Just a thought.

  9. LEO GUY on September 4th, 2012 12:00 pm

    @Kathy

    Wow! I’m gonna help you out here. You forgot to mention Rush Limbaugh. One of my favorites from him totally fits you, “Feminazi”. It is a free country and I support your right to shout out your hate and discontent.
    MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow would love you! :-/

  10. Kathy on September 4th, 2012 11:51 am

    Once again, untruths, do you know anything that is truthful. There is no program in the welfare system that pays for or provides for abortion. They support and endorse that women and men have the right, the intelligence to decide what is best for themselves, I thought that what was what you crazy tea party and republicans supported? The democrats support the constitution and Supreme Court decisions.
    By the way have you never seen a cat or dog or other animal leave a sick no more than 3 week baby out by themselves to die? Have you never seen a wild animal eat their young? Not one of you can show me anything you report to be truths.

  11. Bob hudson on September 4th, 2012 11:18 am

    Kathy I suggest you go back to Obama’s record as a senator as to what he voted for as far as gun-control is concerned, He is anti-gun, Oh and then there is (fast and furious ) In which gun control laws where put in to place, because of it, yet he will not investagate it, and Holder walked some I believe , between 1600, or 1900, automatic weapons in to Mexico, where a border agent was kill, but yet the DOJ will not release what happened. Now that is odd. Remember Obama said it first , small minded people (I guess that is us) cling to their God and their guns, Very , Very insulting .He has no respect for the constitution of the United States , And he has proven that. Pretty much, the democratic party is anti-gun, look at their record. Look to see who are pushing for gun control laws.By the way ? How is that gun control working for the number 1 city for gun crimes, and murder Chicago, working out for them?

  12. Bob hudson on September 4th, 2012 10:59 am

    Kathy, Kathy, the party does not “order” as you say , the killing of babies, but they endorse it , and support it. Obama supports it to the full term (9 months.) He argued for it as a senator(its called late term). Abortion is a nice word for killing. Funny how we are I guess the only species , that is pro active in killing our unborn young. Just because we choose to not to take the RESPONSIBILITY for our actions. My Bible (which I truly believe) does not condone it. And their are some reasons for it. Mothers health, rape, incest. But if you are not willing to take the RESPONSIBILITY , for the act of sex, then quit. They should not be using our tax dollars to correct their mistakes.They wish to do it , then get their OWN PRIVATE FUNDING, you made it , you pay for it. But it is still wrong.

  13. Kathy on September 4th, 2012 9:50 am

    I just love ignorant republicans. You are so funny, you repeat stupid statements like they are true, “baby killers”, tell me one baby that was ordered killed by a democrat? Just one baby killed by a democrat? You can’t because it is a falsehood. The trillions in debt are a result of Bush era “Medicare Part D” costs with no way to pay for them, two big expensive wars with no way to pay for them. We are paying for them now and will for years to come. Romney will add to the debt with tax cuts to the wealthy. Show me one attempt of President Obama to stifle or control guns? One attempt? Show me, because you can’t. Abortion is because everyone is having sexual intercourse and not willing to pay the cost. How many of our great christian men in this area are refusing to pay child support or work under the table to avoid paying it? How many men are refusing to use condoms because it doesn’t feel as good, that’s why you got abortion you idiots. Its your behavior that causes abortion, not the democrats. Its everyone who engages in premarital and extra marital sex. You repeat what you hear on FOX and have not a single word of truth or intelligence.

  14. Big B little Ill on September 4th, 2012 9:48 am

    Food-stamp use reached a record 46.7 million in June, the government said, as Democrats prepare to nominate President Barack Obama for a second term with the economy as a chief issue in the campaign.
    Food-stamp spending, which has more than doubled in four years to a record $75.7 billion in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2011, is the USDA’s biggest annual expense.

    America needs a new direction and the Democrats have lost there Moral Direction.

  15. Big B little ill on September 4th, 2012 9:37 am

    Obama is bussing in people to fill chairs because he scared that people won’t show up. I’m sure that people like Al Sharptom, Jessy Jackson, Bob Bechtel, Alan Colmes and Chris Matthews along with a host of other Leftist Liberals will all be there with there depends on. They won’t want to miss a moment of the money spending, homosexual, baby killing, maxist group of Dems that have totaly ruined the Democratic party. Clint Eastwood and the empty chair, he was right. What more can you say, if they don’t do the Job right they have to go. After all..they do work for us.

  16. Anne on September 4th, 2012 9:16 am

    Vote Democrat if you support a party that believes killing bablies is ok and wants to make homosexual marriage legal even though a majority of Americans do not want it. If that is a Christian platform, I want no part of it. How can you overlook that? The Democratic party will continue to take more and more of our money in taxes and give it to people who will not work for it. In my book that is socialism. Our country is NOT better off now than it was 4 years ago and God help us if we have four more years of this. I do not believe that we will recognize the America that our forefathers fought for if we have this president for another term. God Bless Ameica!

  17. Bob hudson on September 4th, 2012 8:39 am

    Problems with Obama, 6 trillion in 4 years,added to national debt, 23 million unemployed , will not enforce immigration laws, will not secure our borders, wasted billion in tax payer green tech, supports the killing of children, (abortion) supports same sex marriage, has not sent forth a budget in 4 years, Obamacare, closet gun controller , these are just a few thing, but liberals do not wish to discuss these minor things, Well the DNC does not wish to talk about its record, nation debt, 8.3 unemployment , a very slow economey , controlling our borders, and our enforcement of immigration, now what they do wish to talk about is killing children(abortion) , same sex marriage, blame Bush, say they have not finish their job(whats that? killing our nation?)Obamacare or their idea of it, and taxing the rich. Need a good laugh? watch the DNC . And you really wish to laugh? Part 2 is when, Biden tries to debate Ryan, that will be a side spiltter.

  18. Kathy on September 4th, 2012 6:58 am

    A party where blacks, hispanics and women are valued. Where the importance of the middle class is understood. Where they know was the 1920 and 1930’s taught them that the mighty rich class who gained more then and the middle class less crashed the economy and caused the great depression. Where “trickle or dribble down economics” are understood not to work. It didn’t work for Bush and it won’t work with Romney. Where all people are valued and the importance of living a Christian message not preaching it with out living it matters.

  19. Bob on September 4th, 2012 5:04 am

    You GOP radical Tea Party Repubs arnt up telling everyone about your paranoid, whining, selfish comments.