Democrats Have Carolina On Its Mind

Barack Obama (Photo credit: jamesomalley)

After the Republicans had to share its convention with a hurricane, unfocused speeches and Clint Eastwood's empty chair, it's time for the Democrats.

You remember the Democratic Party.  They're the ones President Barack Obama belongs to.  The reason you haven't heard much from them lately is because the GOP and their sycophants in talk radio and Fox News have Americans believing that the Party of Donkeys are responsible for the ills of the world, when in fact the Elephant Party bears some responsibility, too.  It's just that the Democrats haven't effectively answered them until now, including the one about "are you better off now than you were four years ago?".

The Democrats are convening in Charlotte, North Carolina for the same reason the GOP had its shindig in Tampa, Florida:  Both are swing states.  In a close election, the electoral votes of certain states matter.  And in Tarheel Country, Mitt Romney has a slight lead over the President in some polls.

So it's up to the Democrats to change the narrative, and to provide voters with a compelling reason to keep Obama in the White House.  The economy is improving, but a lot of people are still out of work.  Needed legislation has been stonewalled by Republicans in Congress, with very little to replace it.  Osama bin Laden is dead, so the troops will be coming home eventually.

Ultimately, it all comes down to what President Obama will say Thursday night.  He's being outspent by Romney and his corporate pals 2-1.  Some people still don't think he was born in the United States, and no birth certificate is going to convince them otherwise.  Some also think his executive orders borders on the dictatorial, when in fact Republican naysaying forced his hand.  Oh, and he needs to avoid gaffes like "you didn't build that".  He's not Romney.

For a party that caters less to big business than the GOP does, the Democrats are holding their convention in venues with corporate ties.  The first two days are being held at the Time Warner Cable Arena, home of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats.  President Obama will be making his acceptance speech at Bank of America Stadium, home of the NFL Carolina Panthers.  Draw your own conclusions.

Like an old James Taylor song, the Democrats have Carolina on their minds this week.  After that, they'd better have re-election for the President and regaining control of Congress on their minds from now through November.  The longer the Republicans bluster their way into the majority, the more difficult it will be for Democrats to fight back.