Thaindian News

Washington, Sep 5 (IANS) Democrats wooed the middle class with Michelle Obama calling the first family a testament to the American dream as others attacked President Barack Obama’s Republican challenger Mitt Romney for being out of touch.

“In the end, for Barack, these issues aren’t political- they’re personal,” said the First Lady making an impassioned case for her husband’s re-election in a prime-time speech on the opening day Tuesday of the party’s national convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“Barack knows the American Dream because he’s lived it, and he wants everyone, everyone in this country to have the same opportunity, no matter who we are, or where we’re from, or what we look like, or who we love,” she said.

“As president, all you have to guide you are your values, and your vision, and the life experiences that make you who you are,” she said. “So when it comes to rebuilding our economy, Barack is thinking about folks like my dad and like his grandmother.”

Other speakers lambasted Romney and Republicans, accusing them of being out of touch and politically divisive at a time requiring national unity to confront high unemployment, a sluggish economy and mounting federal deficits and debt.

Seeking to further strengthen Obama’s advantage with women, Hispanic Americans and young voters, the speakers hailed Obama for promoting health care reforms, supporting gay marriage, and ending deportations of some young illegal immigrants.

“Mitt Romney, quite simply, doesn’t get it,” declared San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, the first-ever Hispanic keynote convention speaker, who was tapped in part to appeal to the crucial and growing Latino voter base that largely supports Obama but has been disappointed at his failure to deliver on issues like immigration reform.

“We know that in our free-market economy, some will prosper more than others. What we don’t accept is the idea that some folks won’t even get a chance.”

Romney and Republicans “are perfectly comfortable with that America-in fact, that’s exactly what they’re promising us,” said Castro.

Earlier, the more than 5,500 Democratic delegates adopted a party platform focusing on improving the economic situation for middle-class Americans.

It also contains language endorsing same-sex marriage and abortion rights that directly contrasts with the Republican platform adopted last week.

The convention will conclude Thursday with Obama accepting his party’s nomination exactly two months before the Nov 6 election.

Former President Bill Clinton will address the gathering Wednesday night.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)