Now It's the Democrats' Turn

Main Topic

The Democrats Get Down to Business ()

Mitt Romney has taken heat for not being specific about proposals for turning the country around. Now it's the President's turn. Barack Obama has not laid out a specific second-term agenda, and Democrats have fumbled the ball when Paul Ryan asks, “Are you better off than four years ago?" With so many people still hurting, it's hard to run on the record. What can the President do to bring disappointed voters back into the fold? On Day One in Charlotte, we hear from reporters, Democrats and conservative columnist David Brooks of the New York Times. We also look at the Democrats' focus on the Latino vote, including tonight's Keynote Address and efforts at mobilization.  (We also heard KCRW's Saul Gonzalez speaking with Arturo Vargas, Executive Director of NALEO, the National Association of Latino Elected Officials.)

To the Point is broadcasting live from the Democratic convention all week. You can find all our coverage at KCRW.org/election2012.

DNC image: Chris Keane/Reuters

Guests:

• David Hawkings: CQ Roll Daily Briefing, @davidhawkings
• Michael Scherer: Time Magazine, @michaelscherer
• David Brooks: New York Times, @nytdavidbrooks
• Ed Kilgore: Democratic Strategist, @ed_kilgore
• Chris Lehane: Democratic consultant and strategist, @chrislehane
• Wayne Slater: Dallas Morning News, @WayneSlater
• Hector Sanchez: National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, @Hesanche

Links:

• National Journal on Obama's invisible second-term agenda
• Scherer on the Obama campaign's 'ownership of truth'
• Brooks on Obama's need to prove what stands for with public policy proposal
• Kilgore on Bill Clinton's role at the DNC

Reporter's Notebook

Anti-Obama Movie Draws Crowds ()

Is it a documentary or a feature-length attack ad?  The new film 2016: Obama's America has already grossed more than $20 million. Ted Johnson covers the intersection of politics and entertainment for the show business publication Variety.

Guests:

• Ted Johnson: Variety, @tedstew