September 7, 2012

Barack Obama officially accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for a second term as president of the United States on September 6 in a speech arguing that the 2012 presidential election presents American voters with a “choice between two different paths for America.” President Obama received the nomination on September 5 during a roll-call vote of state delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

President Barack Obama accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for a second term as president on September 6. (The White House)

In his acceptance speech, President Obama sought to rally his supporters, saying, “If you turn away now, if you buy into the cynicism that the change we fought for isn’t possible, well, change will not happen. If you give up on the idea that your voice can make a difference, then other voices will fill the void.” He also addressed disappointment over the pace of the economic recovery.  “Our challenges can be met. The path we offer may be harder, but it leads to a better place. And I’m asking you to choose that future.” He argued that he had put in place the foundation for a revived economy but that more time was needed to address economic problems that had developed over several decades.

Political experts note that the president is faced with the political fight of his life against the Republican nominee, Mitt Romney. At the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, on August 30, former Massachusetts Governor Romney contended that continuing high unemployment had led many Americans to give up on President Obama. He argued that the president had failed to create enough jobs, cut the deficit, or increase incomes.  In his acceptance speech, President Obama responded by linking Romney and his running mate, Paul D. Ryan, to what he described as the failed trickle-down economic policies that favor the rich, noting: “all they have to offer is the same prescription they’ve had for the last 30 years.”

Additional World Book articles:

• Economic Crisis: The Banking Meltdown (a special report)
• Economic Crisis: The Government Jumps In (a special report)
• Economic Crisis – Then and Now (a special report)

Sept. 6, 2012

Last night, former U.S. President Bill Clinton nominated President Barack Obama as the Democratic Party’s candidate for president of the United States at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. The nomination came after a rousing speech in which the former president made an impassioned plea on behalf of Obama and his unique vision for the restoration of the American middle class.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (courtesy of the Democratic National Committee)

Clinton delivered a point-by-point rebuttal of the arguments made against the president’s record by Republicans who convened last week in Tampa–from the Great Recession and auto bailout to health care and immigration reform. “President Obama started with a much weaker economy than I did,” stated Mr. Clinton. “No president, not me, not any of my predecessors, could have repaired all of the damage he found in just four years. . . . Is the president satisfied? Of course not, but are we better off than we were when he took office?” asked the former president. “The answer is yes.”

U.S. President Barack Obama (courtesy of The White House)

Clinton then saluted Obama’s efforts to facilitate bipartisan political cooperation, noting that he had appointed Republicans to Cabinet positions and former political rivals Joseph R. Biden, Jr., as vice president and Clinton’s own wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, as secretary of state.

The first night of the convention on September 4 was dominated by First Lady Michelle Obama, who honored her husband as well as flag and country, reiterating her unstinting support for America’s military families. Mrs. Obama then told the story of her working-class parents’ struggle to provide her and her brother with educations and discussed President Obama’s childhood struggles as the son of a single white mother.

Additional World Book articles:

• The Big Three Roll Again (a special report)
• Economic Crisis: The Banking Meltdown (a special report)
• Economic Crisis: The Government Jumps In (a special report)
• Economic Crisis – Then and Now (a special report)
• Health Care Reform – What’s in It for You? (a special report)