What’s up my B&P people? We’re here in the Time Warner Cable Arena live blogging the Democratic National Convention, and tonight is the night! President Obama will make his claim for why he needs to be elected for a second term, and he’s enlisted a high profile list of guest to speak on his behalf, and rev up the crowd before he goes on.
8:20 p.m. — Actress Eva Longoria, who also serves as the co-chair of Obama’s re-election campaign, gave a stirring and emotional speech. The hot points:
“I feel fortunate to be standing on this stage tonight. I never could’ve imagined it growing up … We weren’t wealthy, but we were happy.”
(Photo: Twitter)determined to succeed."
“We’re lucky our president understands the value of American opportunity, because he’s lived it! And he’s fighting to help others achieve it.”
“The Eva Longoria who worked at Wendy’s flipping burgers—she needed a tax break. But the Eva Longoria who works on movie sets does not.”
8:46 p.m. — Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry is on stage, praising Obama on his foreign policy initiatives.
“Just measure the disaster and disarray this president inherited: A war of choice in Iraq had become a war without end, and a war of necessity in Afghanistan had become a war of neglect. Our alliances were shredded. Our moral authority was in tatters. America was isolated in the world.’’
“So here’s the choice in 2012: Mitt Romney – out of touch at home, out of his depth abroad, and out of the mainstream Or, Barack Obama – a president giving new life and truth to America’s indispensable role in the world…”
— Just got word that along with Eva Longoria, Scarlett Johanson, Kerry Washington and Natalie Portman will be in the building. Now that’s beautiful star power! —
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9:15 p.m. — Dr. Jill Biden, Vice President Joe Biden’s wife is speaking…
“For as long as I’ve known him, Joe has never given up. Never failed to see the possibilities.”
“Being a teacher isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am. These issues are personal to me.”
9:28 p.m. — Vice President Biden’s in the building!!
- Biden just accepted the nomination for vice president.
“In the face of the deepest economic crisis in our lifetimes — this nation proved itself. We’re as worthy as any generation that has gone before us.”
“We’re on a mission to move this nation forward — from doubt and downturn, to promise and prosperity.”
“A job is more than just a job, it’s your dignity!”
- Biden mentioned Obama’s support of the DREAM Act… A policy issue important to B&P-ers everywhere.
- Love that Biden’s exit music is Earth Wind and Fire’s “September.”
10:16 p.m. — They’re now showing President Obama’s video… There’s an aura of excitement in the arena… Can this speech compare to 2008?
- President Clinton made an appearance in Obama’s video, “You hire the president to make the calls when no one else can do them.”
10:23 p.m. — Michelle Obama announces Obama!
10:23 p.m. — Obama on stage!
President Obama:
“A few nights ago I was reminded of what a lucky man I am.”
- Obama just accepted the nomination for president.
“Eight years later that hope has been tested..”
“If you’re sick of hearing me ‘approve this message,’ so am I”
“Over the next few years, big decisions will be made in Washington…”
“You didn’t elect me to tell you what you wanted to hear. You elected me to tell you the truth.”
“Today the United States of America is less dependent on foreign oil than at any time in nearly two decades.”
“My plan will continue to reduce the carbon pollution that is heating our planet—because climate change is not a hoax.”
“Help me recruit 100,000 math and science teachers in the next ten years, and improve early childhood education.”
“We also believe in something called ‘citizenship’—a word at the very heart of our founding, at the very essence of our democracy.”
“We don’t turn back. We leave no one behind. We pull each other up.”