First Lady: 'Barack Knows The American Dream Because He's Lived - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – First lady Michelle Obama said her husband remains anchored by the same values he brought to the White House nearly four years ago, on a night devoted as much to tearing down Republican nominee Mitt Romney, as building up President Barack Obama and his record.

Democrats' message on Tuesday, the first day of the Democratic National Convention, was two-pronged and crystal clear. The evening's speeches both sought to extol the president's accomplishments and cast him as empathetic, while at the same time looking to deconstruct Romney and cast him as an impossibly worse choice for president.

The evening's top-billed speakers embodied the dual purposes of Tuesday's programming.  Michelle Obama said her husband was the "same man" he was before the White House, in a speech designed to put a softer edge on the  president's case for re-election. And keynote speaker Julian Castro said Romney would diminish opportunities for voters if elected, in a speech that also weaved in the personal story of the San Antonio mayor, whom party leaders regard as a rising star. click here to read more