» By Danielle Hunter
–dhunter18@my.apsu.edu
PAUL SANCYA | ASSOCIATED PRESS
Throughout the past two weeks, the Republicans and Democrats have been busy with their national conventions. Mitt Romney accepted the Republican Party’s nomination for president, while President Barack Obama accepted the re-nomination from the Democratic Party.
While both Romney and Obama graciously accepted the nomination for President of the United States on the final day of their conventions, both men suggested different paths for the country’s future.
“If I am elected president of these United States I will work with all my energy and soul to restore that America, to lift our eyes to a better future. That future is our destiny,” Romney said, after discussing his vision of returning freedom and American values to the country.
“America, I never said this journey would be easy, and I won’t promise that now,” Obama said. “Yes, our path is harder, but it leads to a better place. Yes, our road is longer, but we travel it together. We won’t turn back. We leave no one behind.”
Republicans were scheduled to begin their national convention in Tampa, Fla. on Monday, Aug. 27, but decided to postpone until Tuesday, Aug. 28 due to Hurricane Isaac. After the weather-delayed start, the Republican National Convention resumed activity with Ann Romney, wife of Mitt Romney, as the first night’s featured speaker.
Ann Romney used her speech to not only personalize her husband in a heartfelt way, but to make an attempt at appealing to the average American family with an emphasis on the country’s moms.
“It’s the moms who have always had to work a little harder to make everything right,” Ann Romeny said during her speech. “It’s the moms of this nation — single, married, widowed — who really hold this country together.”
Like the RNC, the Democratic National Convention’s opening day also featured the spouse of the presidential candidate. First Lady Michelle Obama spoke from Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 4.
J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE | ASSOCIATED PRESS
Michelle Obama also customized her speech to relate her husband to the American people. However, Michelle Obama tied in her and President Obama’s story of the American Dream with characteristics that make a good leader, highlighting how her husband showed and continues to show those qualities.
“He believes that when you’ve worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you,” Michelle Obama expounded to a cheering room of democrats. “You reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.”
After the grand opening day of both parties’ national conventions, the second day of each convention continued headstrong. Former presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan were among the night’s speakers for Republicans.
McCain and Rice voiced their support for the Romney/Ryan campaign and praised their plans for America. Ryan closed the night with his VP nomination acceptance speech.
JAE C. HONG | ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ryan, who was announced as Romney’s running mate last month, aggressively criticized President Obama’s administration. He vowed to fix all problems created by Obama, and bring “leadership” back into the White House.
“The issue is not the economy that Barack Obama inherited, not the economy as he envisions, but this economy that we are living,” said Ryan, after disapproving what he calls Obama’s “broken promises.”
While, for the most part, the second day of the RNC focused on accusations against Obama’s administration, the DNC’s atmosphere was largely filled with confidence and positivity.
The Democrats’ second night headline speakers included Sister Simone Campbell Executive Director of Roman Catholic Social Justice Organization, 60th Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and former President Bill Clinton. Clinton’s speech was the most anticipated of the night, and he did not disappoint.
“If you want a winner-take-all, you’re-on-your-own society, you should support the Republican ticket,” Clinton said. “If you want a country of shared opportunities and shared responsibility, a we’re-all-in-this-together society, you should vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden.”
With election month just around the corner, campaigns are more intense than ever as the race to the White House continues.
