2012 Political Conventions

Charlotte looks to harness convention energy

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 09:39:25 -0400

The Democratic National Convention ended Thursday night in a flurry of confetti and the delirious cheers of a packed crowd at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte as President Barack Obama accepted the party's nomination for re-election. Now what?

NC Dems get big podium moment in Charlotte

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 17:51:02 -0400

Some North Carolina Democrats had their podium moments early on the final night of the convention. Senator Kay Hagan, Congressmen Mel Watt, David Price, and G.K. Butterfield spoke, along with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Walter Dalton.

Convention moment: Taylor's preview concert

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 19:32:59 -0400

My favorite convention moment so far: James Taylor's impromptu preview concert puts the arena on pause.

Sweet Baby James gives impromptu concert at DNC

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 02:33:14 -0400

James Taylor's sound check at Time Warner Cable Arena turned into an impromptu concert for hundreds of appreciative Democratic National Convention delegates, volunteers and media members Thursday afternoon.

DNC chair: Romney 'callous, indifferent' to economic pain

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 11:24:30 -0400

Carrying on the theme espoused by several Democratic National Convention speakers, the national Democratic Party chairwoman told North Carolina convention delegates Thursday that Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney just doesn't understand economic suffering.

Obama pollster: Election could hinge on Florida

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 02:33:14 -0400

The chief pollster for President Barack Obama's re-election campaign said Thursday that the race for president could, as it did 12 years ago, come down to Florida being the winner-take-all state.

Parker: NC couldn't line up delegates before nomination vote

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 15:49:26 -0400

North Carolina cast 152 votes for President Barack Obama's re-election late Wednesday. But the state has 157 delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.

Marsalis moves media with anthem rehearsal

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:33:18 -0400

Jazz saxophonist and Durham resident Branford Marsalis rehearses the national anthem for Wednesday night's session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.

Venue change could split spouses

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 14:11:46 -0400

The change in venue for President Obama's speech Thursday could leave some delegates' family members seatless.

Dems can't necessarily count on tide of young voters

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 13:31:42 -0400

Young adults plan to go to the polls in force this fall because they don't think elected officials represent their interests, the president of a polling firm that focuses on people ages 18-29 said Wednesday.

WRAL's Leslie on C-SPAN

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 14:43:46 -0400

WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief Laura Leslie, in Charlotte for the Democratic National Convention, was a featured interview Wednesday morning on C-SPAN.

Jackson tells NC Dems to fight for Obama win

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 18:41:17 -0400

Leading the crowd in his trademark "Keep hope alive" chant, civil rights leader Jesse Jackson on Wednesday encouraged North Carolina delegates to the Democratic National Convention to fight to win the state for President Barack Obama in the fall election.

Dalton goes on attack in McCrory's backyard

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:21:26 -0400

Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton says Pat McCrory would be bad for North Carolina because he doesn't believe in education spending, and such investments are needed to keep the state moving forward.

Women's Day at the DNC

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 21:16:44 -0400

If there was ever any doubt the Democrats are hoping to mobilize women voters in November, Tuesday's DNC events should put that to rest.

HPU Poll: voters closely divided on their feelings about candidates

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:07:25 -0400

A recenty High Point University Poll finds equal number of North Carolina voters saying they share values with Obama and Romney.

Baldwin fires up packed LGBT caucus

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 16:13:16 -0400

Openly gay US Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin had LGBT delegates on their feet and cheering at a DNC caucus meeting today.

Charlotte 360

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 14:51:04 -0400

Take a 360-degree look at the convention floor in Charlotte.

Rose: NC is deep within me

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 13:54:07 -0400

Covering a political convention in his home state allows long-time PBS and CBS newsman Charlie Rose some unique perspective. Rose said he loves the high profile the Tar Heel state gets as a swing state.

At the Charlotte Convention Center

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 13:03:40 -0400

Before the DNC officially gavels in at 5pm, the Convention Center is where the action is - including all the media.

Perdue hits Dem themes of education, middle class, women

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 23:39:15 -0400

Not having to run for re-election has freed the governor up to be cheerleader-in-chief for the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, which she said is giving unprecedented - and invaluable - media attention to the state.

McCrory likes Charlotte convention, not Dem ideals

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 07:22:08 -0400

Even Republican gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory likes that Democrats are swarming all over Charlotte this week.

Weather may be an issue for Obama's outdoor acceptance speech

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 16:54:24 -0400

President Barack Obama will accept the Democratic Party's presidential nomination Thursday night at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium.

JT headlines CarolinaFest celebration

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 12:11:13 -0400

North Carolina crooner James Taylor is the headline entertainer Monday night in Charlotte. Taylor's performance caps CarolinaFest 2012, a kickoff celebration at the Democratic National Convention.

Foxx: NC can see long-term gain from hosting DNC

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 12:11:29 -0400

Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx says his city is more than ready for the influx of delegates, politicians and media this week that accompany the Democratic National Convention, and said he sees the week-long party celebration as a starting point for growth in the Queen City and the state.

Saint Augustine's University students head to DNC

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 10:13:37 -0400

Five Saint Augustine's University students will join reporters from across the country at the Democratic National Convention.

Headed to Charlotte...

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 18:04:38 -0400

WRAL's team is en route to Charlotte for the DNC.

Media perspectives: What the nation needs to hear from Romney

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 23:49:28 -0400

Several big-name media professionals spoke with WRAL News Thursday evening about what Mitt Romney needs to say in his nomination acceptance speech, the coup-de-grace of the party's three-day convention in Tampa, Fla.

GOP stalwart from NC says Ryan's speech rivals Reagan

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 19:59:59 -0400

A Charlotte businessman who is representing North Carolina as a Republican delegate this week says vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan's acceptance speech Wednesday night was the best he's ever seen.

Ellmers chats live with GOP volunteers back home

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:46:55 -0400

Second District Congresswoman Renee Ellmers stopped in the Google Lounge at the Tampa Bay Convention Center Thursday for a live video chat with GOP supporters back home.

WRAL runs into McCain, others at GOP convention in Tampa

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 19:42:19 -0400

Over three days at the Republican National Convention, WRAL News has spotted several celebrities, big-name media professionals and influential politicians.

NC's Burr says Paul Ryan is best choice for VP

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 00:13:43 -0400

WRAL News anchor/reporter Bruce Mildwurf spoke one-on-one with U.S. Senator Richard Burr Wednesday, who said Paul Ryan was Mitt Romney's best choice for a running mate.

GOP convention caters to young, tech-savvy

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:08:17 -0400

The Grand Old Party is trying to stay young and relevant by embracing social media and incorporating cutting-edge technology into its national convention in Tampa, Fla., this week.

Reuters disses Charlotte as DNC host city

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 19:17:43 -0400

The Queen City's tiara was a bit tarnished Wednesday by a report by the Reuters wire service criticizing next week's Democratic National Convention.

NC delegates get another visit from GOP elite

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 18:06:47 -0400

The U.S. senator from Florida picked to introduce Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney at the party's convention visited the North Carolina delegation Wednesday morning.

Josh Romney: 'My dad is my hero'

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:01:52 -0400

Mitt Romney's third son, Josh, spoke to delegates and guests from North Carolina Wednesday morning about why he thinks his father will make a great president.

Convention debt clocks climb as Republicans slam Obama's spending

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:31:35 -0400

To illustrate what Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Preibus called President Barack Obama's "fiscal recklessness," the party installed two debt clocks at the Tampa Bay Times Forum for its national convention.

NC casts 48 of 55 votes for Romney; nomination secured

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 00:09:04 -0400

The state of New Jersey pushed Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney over the delegate count needed to secure his nomination Tuesday afternoon.

NC delegates head to forum; NC speakers take the mic

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:24:10 -0400

The convention commenced Tuesday at 2 p.m. with three speakers from North Carolina - a state senator from Johnston County and two congressional candidates - on the agenda.

Rouzer repeats Romney line on welfare

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:00:42 -0400

Like the presidential contender, Congressional candidate David Rouzer says Obama has waived work requirements for food stamps. Is that right?

Rouzer: convention has been "a whirlwind"

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:26:02 -0400

The Republican candidate in the 7th Congressional District is scheduled to speak at the GOP convention shortly before 3:30 p.m. Tueasday afternoon.