Democratic National Convention 2012

The Democratic National Convention concluded in Charlotte last night. The three “official” days of the Convention took years of planning and millions of dollars to organize and stage. Its long-term effects on North Carolina's image and politics remain to be seen. But by almost all accounts, the Convention was a success for North Carolina’s largest city. Dave DeWitt spent the week at the Convention and produced this audio montage of the week’s “Carolina” moments.

The North Carolina Democratic delegation says it’s pumped up and ready to return home and motivate voters.

William Flyth of Brunswick County says since retirement he’s been busy working to register voters. The retired chemist says he’s ready to work even harder.

William Flyth:  I started get out the vote campaign among African American churches before I arrived and I plan to double down on that when I return home.

President Barack Obama is preparing to address the nation tonight and make his plea for “Four More Years.”  In 2008 – many analysts say it was the African American vote that put the president over the top in battleground states like North Carolina.  But is this constituency as “fired up” and “ready to go” in 2012?  Leoneda Inge reports from the Democratic convention in Charlotte.

It's not just politicians speaking at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte this week. Organizers have lined up a range of musicians to help keep attendees entertained and fired up. Tonight's performers include the Foo Fighters, Mary J Blige, Earth, Wind and Fire and James Taylor. But Taylor isn't the only North Carolinian playing tonight. Durham-based Delta Rae has toured with many bands since releasing its debut album Carry the Fire earlier this year.

A new children’s health initiative is using the London Olympics and the Democratic National Convention to promote better health on the ground. 

Children of all ages were pretty giddy.  They were meeting Olympic Gold medal Gymnist Gabby Douglas.

Jailiah Zanders:  "I was really excited to see the fab five and I was more excited about coming to see Gabby Douglas because she is one of my role models."

This week at the Democratic Convention in Charlotte, elected officials from this state will be in the spotlight. Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx and Governor Bev Perdue spoke last night, and former Governor Jim Hunt will get his chance later today.

It’s also a big moment for others who paved the way. Harvey Gantt was the first black mayor of Charlotte. He also ran twice against Jesse Helms for the U.S. Senate. And without the trails he blazed in the second half of the 20th century, this convention, and his adopted state, would be very different.

[Audio transcript]

The 2012 Democratic National Convention gets underway in Charlotte tomorrow.  And the North Carolina delegation will be one of the state’s most diverse ever.  There are more delegates of color, and for the first time there is an auxiliary group for Lesbian-Gay-Bi-Sexual and Trans-gendered delegates. 

[Audio Transcript]

It’s the beginning of the school year and college students are everywhere on the U-N-C Chapel Hill campus.   And it’s clearly campaign season.

The Democratic National Convention officially begins tomorrow in Charlotte. But the event began yesterday for some. Police say two of the 800 or so who took to the streets to protest were arrested. Officials had prepared for as many as 10-thousand protestors. As Dave DeWitt reports from Charlotte, what the marchers lacked in numbers, they made up for in passion.

[Audio transcript]

Work begins today on converting Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte into a suitable site for the Democratic National Convention. We hear all the time that North Carolina is one of the most anti-union states in the country and it's true there are few labor unions here. But some of the ones that are here will be out in force over the coming months preparing Charlotte for the DNC. WFAE's Julie Rose reports on one local union that plays a significant role in Charlotte year-round.