CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When he addressed the Democratic National Convention in 1988, then-Gov. Bill Clinton was almost booed off the stage after delivering a meandering 35-minute speech that only drew applause when he finally said, “And, in conclusion…” On Sept. 5 in Charlotte, the former president received an extended standing ovation from Democrats who packed […]
Author Archives: John A. Moreno
Special to the AFRO
Posted inAfro Briefs
Balancing Disappointment vs. Hope: Obama-Speech-Preview
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Democratic delegates tried to put on a brave face Wednesday, despite the announcement earlier in the day that their convention’s grand finale — President Barack Obama’s acceptance speech — has been moved from Bank of America Stadium to Timer Warner Cable Arena due to forecasts of severe weather. “We have been monitoring […]
Posted inNational News
Michelle Obama Touts Husband’s Character, Commitment to Country
CHARLOTTE, N.C.–Flawless. A grand slam. Superior. They sound like blurbs on a movie poster, but these plaudits and others have been used to describe Michelle Obama’s speech Sept. 4 at the Democratic National Convention. Delivered to a standing-room-only crowd, the first lady’s remarks have been the talk of social media and news broadcasts since she […]
Posted inNational News
DNC Celebrity Performers-Announced
Charlotte, N.C.—Convention watchers who were perhaps underwhelmed this week by the Republicans’ entrainment lineup in Tampa — 3 Doors Down, the Oak Ridge Boys, Taylor Hicks — might find the music more appealing in Charlotte, where artists including Branford Marsalis, Mary J. Blige and Earth, Wind and Fire are scheduled to perform for the assembled […]
Posted inNational News
Black Republican, Dallas Minister Explains His Anti-Obama Vote
Perhaps the Republican National Committee should have asked Pastor Stephen Broden to address the convention. Broden, a pastor of Fair Park Bible Fellowship in Dallas and a first-time delegate, made an impassioned case for why he believes more African American voters should join the Republican Party and vote for Mitt Romney in November. In an […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Condoleezza Rice Wows Republican Convention, Raises Cabinet Prospects
TAMPA, Fla.–Condoleezza Rice electrified the Republican National Convention on Aug. 29 with a speech that fueled speculation that she might again accept a Cabinet position in another Republican White House or make a run herself in 2016. Delivering remarks that resulted in three standing ovations, the former Secretary of State began by evoking Sept. 11, […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Ex-Chairman Steele Restates Need for GOP to Broaden, Attract Minorities
TAMPA, Fla.—At the start of the Obama presidency, Michael Steele was chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC). After being removed from the party helm, he became a political analyst for NBC. He talked with this reporter at the Republican National Convention. Q: Mr. Steele, as a former RNC chairman, what’s your reaction to Chris […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
New Republican Artur Davis Says Romney `Is Going to Be Inclusive’
TAMPA, Fla.—Former Democrat Artur Davis, who once supported President Obama as a Black member of the Alabama delegation to the House of Representatives and became a Republican after his re-election loss, talked with the Black Press during the Republican National Convention. Q: Congressman, what message were you trying to get across tonight in your speech? […]
