Democratic National Convention speeches
High-profile speakers, including First Lady Michelle Obama, President Bill Clinton, and President Barack Obama himself, took the stage in Charlotte, N.C., to make the case for four more years of an Obama presidency.
Below are some of the most-anticipated convention speeches. Click to watch the full video.
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama told the delegates that the presidency had not changed her husband, but it had revealed his true character. “For Barack, success isn’t about how much money you make. It’s about the difference you make in people’s lives,” she said. “I love that he has never forgotten how he started."
Martin O'Malley
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley credited Obama with taking America "forward, not back."
Cory Booker
Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, N.J., was an early speaker at the convention. He excited delegates with his remarks, telling them that the reelection of Obama would expand on the promise of America.
Rahm Emanuel
Rahm Emanuel, the mayor of Chicago and a former White House chief of staff for Obama, said the winner of the 2012 presidential election will have an opportunity to shape the country for decades to come. He urged voters to give Obama a second term.
Julian Castro
San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro gave the keynote address. He said the American dream is not a sprint, or even a marathon, but a relay.
Bill Clinton
President Clinton gave an impassioned defense of the Obama's first four years and rebutted claims made at the Republican National Convention. "You see, we believe 'We're all in this together' is a far better philosophy than 'You're on your own,'" he said.
Elizabeth Warren
US Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren spoke about the middle class in America, reaching out to people who "work their hearts out, but are up against a hard truth -- the game is rigged against them."
Charles Schumer
Senator Charles Schumer attacked Mitt Romney's tax plan, saying that it disproportionately favored wealthy Americans like Romney himself. "His new favorite tax haven is not the Caymen Islands, it's Paul Ryan's budget. Under the Ryan budget, Mitt Romney's own taxes would drop almost to zero."
Sandra Fluke
Sandra Fluke became part of a national conversation after she testified before Congress about contraception, an issue she said impacts every woman. "Too many women are shut out and silenced," Fluke said. "While I'm honored to be standing at this podium, it easily could've been any one of you."
Nancy Pelosi
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi extolled the Democratic platform and defended the president's job creation record. "Jobs are central to the American Dream, and President Obama has focused on jobs since day one."
Barack Obama
President Barack Obama spoke about his accomplishments and the experiences that give him hope. "Our problems can be solved. 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."
Joe Biden
Vice President Joe Biden questioned whether Mitt Romney's experience at Bain Capital was applicable to good governance. "Folks, the Bain way may bring your firm the highest profits, but it's not the way to lead our country from the highest office."
John Kerry
Referring to the Republican "Are you better off" campaign, Senator John Kerry highlighted one of the president's accomplishments. "Ask Osama Bin Laden if he's better off now then he was four years ago."
Caroline Kennedy
Caroline Kennedy, daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, compared the enthusiasm surrounding her father's victory and Barack Obama's. "Young people have always led America toward a brighter future," Kennedy said. "It happened in 1960, it happened in 2008."
Barney Frank
Senator Barney Frank railed against private sector solutions for public sector needs. "There are things that a civilized society needs that we can only do if we do them together. We do them together, that's called government."