Dems Pick Charlotte for '12 Convention

The Democratic National Committee has selected Charlotte, N.C., as the site of the party's 2012 convention.

According to the Associated Press, the location was disclosed Tuesday in an e-mail from First Lady Michelle Obama to campaign supporters. The choice bypasses bids from Midwestern cities including Cleveland, Minneapolis, and St. Louis.

"Charlotte is a city marked by its southern charm, warm hospitality, and an 'up by the bootstraps' mentality that has propelled the city forward as one of the fastest-growing in the South," said the First Lady. "Vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunity, the Queen City is home to innovative, hardworking folks with big hearts and open minds. And of course, great barbecue."

According to the AP, "The selection signaled that Obama plans to aggressively compete in traditionally Republican states that he won during his first presidential campaign by cobbling together a diverse cross-section of voters. And the apparent theme - The People's Convention - indicated that the president will try to rekindle the grass-roots flavor of his ground-breaking 2008 bid."

President Obama won North Carolina in the 2008 presidential election, becoming the first Democrat to win the state since former President Jimmy Carter in 1976.

The Democratic convention will be held the week of Sept. 3, 2012. The week prior, Republicans will hold their convention in Tampa, Fla.