U.S. Democrats kick off 2012 National Convention

CHARLOTTE, the United States, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Democratic Party on Tuesday kicked off its 2012 National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, where President Barack Obama will accept the party's presidential nomination later this week.

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Chair of the Democratic National Committee, called the conference to order.

"Over the next three days, we will hold the most open and accessible political convention in history," said Schultz.

Democrats hope the three-day convention would generate a renewed enthusiasm for Obama's re-election bid and help him win the battleground of North Carolina.

Organizers of the convention said nearly 6,000 delegates, with half of them women, would attend the three-day convention. More Latinos are also expected to appear at the venues.

Recent polls show the Democratic incumbent's healthcare reform and less stringent immigration policy give him an edge over his Republican rival Mitt Romney among women and Latino constituents in the swing states, including North Carolina.

Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio, Texas will become the first Latino to deliver the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night.

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