He highlighted the differences between his aims and Republican policies, and reprised his 2008 theme of "hope".

 

"I never said this journey would be easy, and I won't promise that now," Mr Obama told the Democratic convention.

 

Republican Mitt² Romney is challenging Mr Obama for the White House, with polls showing a tight race.

 

Mr Obama told delegates in the hall and voters watching at home that the nation's problems had built up over decades and could not be fixed³ in a flash.

 

"But when you pick up that ballot⁴ to vote - you will face the clearest choice of any time in a generation.

 

"Over the next few years, big decisions will be made in Washington: on jobs and the economy; taxes and deficits⁶; energy and education; war and peace - decisions that will have a huge impact on our lives and our children's lives for decades to come," he said.

 

 

Mr Obama took the stage not in a huge stadium in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina, as organisers had hoped, but inside the convention centre after Thursday's speech was moved because of weather concerns.

 

He followed a rousing speech by Vice-President Joe Biden, who praised Mr Obama for his bravery in bailing⁸ our the auto⁹ industry and ordering the killing¹⁰ of Osama Bin¹¹ Laden¹².

 

The president offered a string of critiques of Republican policies, describing his opponents as "happy to talk about everything they think is wrong with America" without offering suggestions on how to make things right. 

 

"That's because all they have to offer is the same prescription¹³ they've had for the last 30 years," he said. 

 

"Have a surplus? Try a tax cut. Deficit⁵ too high? Try another. Feel a cold coming on? Take two tax cuts, roll back some regulations, and call us in the morning!"

 

But there was no mention of his own healthcare law, a signature achievement that remains¹⁴ unpopular with many Americans, and little explicit¹⁵（明确的） talk of the stimulus¹⁶ enacted¹⁷ in his first months in office.

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