CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Democrats gathered here on Tuesday to begin a brisk three-day convention intended to draw sharp programmatic differences with the Republican Party and walk a line between promoting President Obama’s first-term accomplishments while recognizing the continuing economic despair that has marked the last four years.
The convention, which is to be gaveled to order at 5 p.m., will feature a speech by Michelle Obama, in what Mr. Obama’s aides said would be the beginning of an attempt to prompt voters to re-examine the president’s record, particularly his health care law and his work on the economy.
In contrast with the other speakers on Tuesday night – and most of the speakers this week – Ms. Obama in her remarks will not offer criticisms of Mr. Romney, instead offering what aides described as an account of her husband’s motivations in pushing through the health care bill and the auto industry bailout. Other speakers, however, will focus on what has emerged as one of the convention’s top goals: drawing sharp contrasts with Mr. Romney.
“We want to crystallize the choice between two very different visions of the economy,” said Stephanie Cutter, Mr. Obama’s deputy campaign manager.