Obama accepts nomination, promises better days

WASHINGTON: Barack Obama, his re-election in doubt, promised better days ahead, as he accepted the Democratic Party nomination for President before thousands of charged-up party loyalists and millions of television viewers.

In a crucial speech at the Democratic National Convention, just two months before the November 6 vote, Mr. Obama looked to reignite the excitement that powered his first run for the presidency. Mr. Obama needed to win over undecided voters, especially those who had been swayed by his inspiring message of hope in 2008, but now feel disillusioned after years of economic weakness and persistent political bickering.

“Yes, our path is harder but it leads to a better place,” he said.

Mr. Obama built on the message delivered throughout the convention that America is on the road to recovery while Republican rival Mitt Romney would revive failed policies, cutting taxes for the rich and slashing programs that give regular Americans a chance for a more prosperous future.

The two candidates are locked in tight race. Polls show that Mr. Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, is seen as the better candidate for improving the economy, while Mr. Obama is viewed as more likable and having a better understanding of everyday Americans.

Mr. Obama’s speech marked the climax of the three-day convention. First Lady Michelle Obama highlighted the first day, talking about her husband’s humble roots and compassion for those living through tough times. Bill Clinton, the popular former president who led the United States during years of prosperity, gave a rousing speech on Wednesday, vouching for Mr. Obama’s economic policies and urging Americans not to turn back to Republicans. After Clinton’s speech, Democrats formally approved Obama’s nomination in a roll call vote.

Among the speakers preceding Mr. Obama on Thursday were actress Eva Longoria and Vice-President Joe Biden, who was formally re-nominated. “We’re on a mission to move this nation forward from doubt and downturn to promise and prosperity,” Mr. Biden said in his acceptance speech.

Mr. Obama was setting out a goal of creating 1 million new manufacturing jobs by the end of 2016 and push for more aggressive steps to reduce American dependence on foreign oil.

Still, he said, “The truth is it will take more than a few years for us to solve challenges that have built up over a decade.”

Mr. Obama’s biggest domestic achievement was passage of a health care overhaul, yet Democrats discuss that with some caution because polls show most Americans oppose his plan.

Mocking a Republican slogan asking Americans if they are better off under Mr. Obama, John Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee in 2004, told delegates - “Ask Osama bin Laden if he’s better off now than he was four years ago.”

Citing a chance of thunderstorms, convention organisers scrapped plans for Mr. Obama to speak to an enormous crowd in a 74,000-seat outdoor stadium and decided to shoehorn the event into the convention arena, which accommodates 15,000.

That meant a far smaller crowd than the President’s campaign hoped would hear him speak and present an enthusiastic show of support on television

Mr. Romney was wrapping up several days of rehearsals ahead of an October 3 debate with Mr. Obama, the first of three. He is expected to resume full-time campaigning within days.

Mr. Romney said he had no plans to watch Mr. Obama on television.

“If the President is going to report on the promises he made and how he has performed in those promises, I’d love to watch it,” Mr. Romney said. “But if it’s another series of new promises that he’s not going to keep, I have no interest in seeing him because I saw the promises last time.”