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Rocky On The Road: Michelle Obama at #DNC12; @SenatorShaheen on Importance of Election for Students #yourconvention

The Rockefeller Center is happy to bring you first-hand coverage from the Republican and Democratic National Conventions this year.  Ester Cross '15 shares observations and reflections for this "Rocky On The Road" blog series. 

Read on for Ester's most recent update.

The first day of the DNC (Tuesday) featured Democratic leaders trying to convince the American people the President deserves “four more years” in office. Michelle Obama delivered an emotional speech in which she discussed her humble background and the hard work and perseverance that led her and the President to their current success. An interesting component of the First Lady’s speech was the contrasts she drew between her husband and Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney, whose personal wealth has been a target for many Democratic leaders. Obama praised her husband especially as a contrast to Romney.

“He’s the same man who started his career by turning down high paying jobs and instead working in struggling neighborhoods,” Obama said. “For Barack, success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.”

Obama inspired her audience of delegates, alternates and guests with her message and drew their support, applause and verbal interjections of approval. See my story for Talk Radio News Service.

Earlier that day, I attended a luncheon entitled “Path to Power” in which Democratic leaders discussed the future of the country in the context of another four years of an Obama administration. I've written more about this event as well.

I had the fortuitous opportunity to speak to one of the panelists, New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, and ask her about Dartmouth students’ involvement in the 2012 election. Shaheen says she hopes New Hampshire will contribute its three electoral votes toward electing President Obama. She also said students can contribute to the election by volunteering for the Obama campaign.

“This is an election that has a lot at stake for young people, particularly for students, in terms of the costs of education and in terms of the job prospects once they graduate,” Shaheen said. “So there’s a lot at stake and they should get involved.”