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September 7, 2012
Retrospective: The 2012 Democratic National Convention

The presidential race is moving into high gear.

Now that both parties have launched their respective tickets, President Barack Obama and rival Mitt Romney are revving up for the home stretch, campaigning Friday in battleground states.

Eight years ago, Obama, the little-known Democrat rocketed into the political spotlight with a soaring convention keynote address. Four years later, he accepted the Democratic Party's nomination and became its standard bearer. On Thursday, President Obama took the stage fighting for his job.

"I recognize that times have changed since I first spoke to this convention," Obama said. "The times have changed, and so have I."

"I'm no longer just a candidate. I'm the president," he said, drawing cheers from the crowd of 15,000.

It was a telling transformation for Obama, locked in a tight re-election battle with Republican Mitt Romney. After taking office with sky-high hopes in 2008, Obama now is hampered by a shaky economy and dampened enthusiasm among his supporters.

(32 images)




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President Barack Obama and his family and Vice President Joe Biden and his family celebrate their nominations as the confetti falls at the conclusion of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. AP / Carolyn Kaster
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President Barack Obama waves after his speech at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) AP / Jae C. Hong
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Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama wave to the delegates at the conclusion of Presdident Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. AP / J. Scott Applewhite
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President Barack Obama, left, and Vice President Joe Biden wave to delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. AP / Charlie Neibergall
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President Barack Obama, left, is joined on stage by first lady Michelle Obama, left, their children Sasha and Malia, right, on the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. AP / Charles Dharapak
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President Barack Obama gestures as he gives his speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Times Warner Cable Arena Thursday, September 6, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (G.J. McCarthy/ Dallas Morning News/ MCT) MCT / G.J. McCarthy
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President Barack Obama accepts the nomination at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Times Warner Cable Arena Thursday, September 6, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (G.J. McCarthy/ Dallas Morning News/ MCT) MCT / G.J. McCarthy
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President Barack Obama addresses the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. AP / David Goldman
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Vice President Joe Biden addresses the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. AP / J. Scott Applewhite
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Vice President Joe Biden appears on stage as he addresses the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. AP / David Goldman
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Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm addresses the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. AP / Charles Dharapak
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Singer Mary J. Blige performs during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. AP / Charles Dharapak
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The delegation cheers for President Barack Obama at the end of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Times Warner Cable Arena Thursday, September 6, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. MCT / Jeff Siner
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An unidentified delegate tries to talk on the phone as Singer James Taylor performs at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. AP / Charles Dharapak
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Sept. 7, 2012 - Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S - A delegate takes a photograph of the convention floor during the final night of the Democratic National Convention. ZUMA24.com / Sean Meyers
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North Carolina delegates Denise Adams, left, and Charles Evans dance on the floor as musician James Taylor sings, "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You," during a sound check at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. AP / David Goldman
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Delegates run for shelter in a downpour as they arrive at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. AP / Jae C. Hong
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Former President Bill Clinton bows as President Barack Obama walks on stage after Clinton's address to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012. AP / J. Scott Applewhite
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Former President Bill Clinton speaks to delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012. AP / Charlie Neibergall
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Former President Bill Clinton addresses the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012. AP / Jae C. Hong
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Former President Bill Clinton speaks to delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012. AP / Charlie Neibergall
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California delegate Mike Saifie from San Bernardino is seen dressed for the Democratic National Convention as he arrives at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012. AP / David Goldman
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Clayton County (Ga.) Sheriff's Deputy John Strutko dances as he directs traffic Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C., during the second day of the Democratic National Convention. AP / Mike Stewart
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Air Force One, with President Barack Obama aboard, taxis on the runway under a heavy rain before departing at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012, en route to Charlotte, N.C. for the Democratic National Convention. AP / Jose Luis Magana
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In this image released by the White House, President Barack Obama and his daughters, Malia, left, and Sasha, watch first lady Michelle Obama speak at the Democratic National Convention on television from the Treaty Room of the White House Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012. AP / Pete Souza
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First lady Michelle Obama waves to delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012. AP / Jae C. Hong
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Colorado delegate Tracy Ducharme from Colorado Springs wears cowboy boots as she sit next to her bag showing President Barack Obama during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012. AP / David Goldman
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North Carolina delegates recites the Pledge of Allegiance during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012. AP / Charles Dharapak
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A restaurant patron has her photo taken by friends as Occupy demonstrators march, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. The Democratic National Convention begins today. AP / Chuck Burton
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An Occupy Demonstrator takes a photo with his mask during an unscheduled protest march, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. The Democratic National Convention begins today. AP / Chuck Burton
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Joseph Block, a 12-year-old page from White Plains, N.Y., wears a yarmulke at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012. AP / David Goldman
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Chris Jones of Charlotte poses in front of the campaign sign as his friend takes a picture at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012. AP / David Goldman
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