Obama unites hope with realism in pitch for re-election

President Barack Obama asked Americans on Thursday for patience in rebuilding the weak economy as he appealed for a new term in office and defiantly rejected Republican Mitt Romney’s proposals for growth as heartless.

Accepting the presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention, Obama gave a more down-to-earth follow-up to his 2008 “hope and change” message. Weighed down by wars, high unemployment and political gridlock, he projected a tone that was more subdued, less exuberant.

Obama told Americans they face starkly different paths in choosing between him and Romney in the November 6 election. He said his way may be hard but will bring economic renewal.

“America, I never said this journey would be easy, and I won’t promise that now,” he said. “Yes our path is harder – but it leads to a better place. Yes, our road is longer, but we travel it together.”

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/07/us-usa-campaign-idUSBRE87P01H20120907