Pres. Barack Obama formally accepted his party's nomination Thursday night, Rep. Barney Frank introduced the crowd to a man named "Myth," and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords made a surprise appearance in Charlotte.
President Barack Obama addresses delegates during the final night of the Democratic National Convention Charlotte, N.C.Pres. Barack Obama formally accepted his party's nomination Thursday night, Rep. Barney Frank introduced the crowd to a man named "Myth," and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords made a surprise appearance in Charlotte. Here's a look at some of the key moments from the final night of the Democratic National Convention.
Barack Obama accepts nomination for re-election
"We don't think that government is the source of all our problems, any more than our welfare recipients, or corporations, or unions, or immigrants, or gays, or any other group we're told to blame for our troubles." -- Pres. Barack ObamaSen. Dick Durbin of Illinois introduced Barack Obama Thursday night, just as he had eight years ago in Boston, before a speech widely credited with launching the career of a man who was then his state's junior senator. This time, Durbin introduced a sitting President in the midst of a contentious re-election campaign.
Pres. Obama then addressed a receptive crowd of 20,000 in Charlotte: comparing himself to the man he was before his meteoric rise in national politics in 2004, asking for more time to finish solving the problems facing America, and reminding them that the choice is theirs to make in November. The President reviewed his successes -- and failures -- during his four years in office, paying special attention to job growth, health care and education; he also stressed his opponent's weaknesses, pointing to an array of what he categorized as Gov. Romney's foreign policy gaffes. At the end of his speech, the President received an extended ovation and vowed that the challenges facing America can be met.
Read a transcript of the President's DNC speech or watch it in its entirety at C-SPAN.
Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, right, reacts after reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida.Perhaps the most poignant moment Thursday occurred when former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona walked onstage with DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and led the convention crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Giffords, who left office after a shooting left her close to death in January 2011, smiled broadly throughout her time on stage, and left to chants of "Gabby!"
Watch video of Giffords' return to the stage at the Democratic Convention in Charlotte.
Biden accepts nomination for Vice President
"The Bain way may bring your company the highest profits, but it's not the way to lead our country from the highest office." -- Vice Pres. Joe BidenVice President Joe Biden warned his Republican opponents that it's "never been a good bet to bet against the American people," as he warmed-up the crowd in Charlotte for the final night's keynote by Pres. Barack Obama.
Biden focused on the recovery of the auto industry and the affect it has had on both the American economy, and the American spirit. He also spoke at length about the decision Pres. Obama was faced with when he ordered the strike that killed Osama Bin Laden in 2011. Biden's wife, Jill, and son, Beau, spoke earlier Thursday evening.
Former Sen. John Kerry
"Ask Osama Bin Laden if he is better off now than he was four years ago." -- Former Sen. John Kerry
Former Sen. John Kerry returned to the national stage at the 2012 Convention, and delivered a speech focused primarily on Pres. Obama's foreign policy accomplishments since taking office. Kerry spoke with some of the passion critics felt he lacked eight years ago, and received thunderous applause when he spoke of the death of Osama Bin Laden. The former nominee also delivered a big laugh when he painted Gov. Mitt Romney's policy ideas as shifting, repurposing a line that haunted his own campaign in 2004, suggesting that on certain defense decisions, Romney was "for it, before he was against it." Kerry added, "Before you debate Barack Obama on foreign policy, you better finish the debate with yourself."
Rep. Barney Frank goes off-script to talk about "Myth" Romney
"Maybe, as a Democrat, I should be grateful that we got Mitt and not Myth, because if Myth Romney had ever been governor and had done all of the things we were told he can do, he would have been reelected overwhelmingly." -- Rep. Barney FrankBarney Frank is set to retire at the end of his term, and the outspoken congressman from Massachusetts ignored prepared remarks that were to address Wall Street reform, and chose to address the gubernatorial record of a man he referred to as "Myth" Romney.
Frank was among a number of Democrats from Massachusetts who spoke this week in Charlotte to challenge former Gov. Mitt Romney on his tenure leading the state.
Bonus video: Caroline Kennedy compares Pres. Obama's election to her father's 1960 campaign
"Back then, I was inspired by the promise of Barack Obama's presidency," Kennedy said. "Today, I'm inspired by his record." -- Caroline Kennedy