The 2012 Democratic National Convention was held in Charlotte, N.C., from Tuesday, Sept. 4, to Thursday, Sept. 6.

The overall message of the Democratic National Convention was that Americans need to work together. Former President Bill Clinton stressed the importance of cooperation in order to fix our country. Politicians, as well as the rest of the population, cannot be so focused on Republican versus Democrats.

Instead of hating opponents, people should be working with them to make changes. Colorado congressman Jared Polis said, “Together we are stronger, together we are better, together we are America.”

A large portion of the convention was dedicated to describing how President Barack Obama has fought for the rights of women. Obama gave many women the chance to speak out at the convention.

Women such as Sandra Fluke, Barbara Mikulski and Nancy Keenan expressed feelings that the Republicans are trying to destroy all of the progress that has been made for women.

Women’s rights activist Sandra Fluke said, “Too many women are shut out and silenced.”
Sen. Barbara Mikulski described every woman’s desire for equal pay and better health care. Almost every speaker at the convention mentioned that women should be free to make the choices that affect their bodies.

While the Democratic National Convention did not contain as many personal stories and as much talk about family as the convention held by the Republicans the week before, it did contain some personal talk.

Both President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden discussed their families, giving a shout-out to their wives and children in the audience, but each speaker still spent the majority of their speeches talking about what they have done and what they plan to do for the country.

Michelle Obama and Joe Biden both gave heartfelt speeches that described all of the hard work that President Obama has put into trying to move the country forward.

Obama even brought up the fact that the Republicans avoided speaking about their plans at the RNC by saying, “They want your vote but they don’t want you to know their plan.”
Joe Biden spoke about how the Republicans’ plans were going to hurt the country.

For example, they have a plan that will make Medicare go bankrupt by 2016 and Romney and Ryan reject every plan put forward by everyone to reduce national debt because as Biden said, “They aren’t prepared to do anything about the debt if it contains even one cent in new taxes for millionaires.”

President Obama wants to know how every one of his actions will affect the average American; not just the upper class.

Obama stressed the importance of not increasing taxes on the middle class. Also, Romney has plans to create jobs, but Biden revealed that these jobs are to be created overseas.

At the Republican Convention, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney laughed at Obama’s plans to help the environment.

In response to Romney’s criticism, Obama said, “Climate change is not a hoax. More droughts and floods and wildfires are not a joke. They are a threat to our children’s future.”

Along with the president’s goals for manufacturing, energy, education, national security and the deficit that were mentioned, Obama’s main goal is to restore America’s pride.

The topic of the auto industry came up a lot at the convention. Even though the auto bailout saved an industry and millions of jobs, Joe Biden said, “When things hung in the balance, the president understood that this was about a lot more than the automobile industry. This was about restoring America’s pride.”

Obama wants Americans to know that the positive changes in the country would not be possible without the determination of American citizens.

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