CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Democrats have called their national convention to order and delegates will soon move to adopt a party platform that calls for higher taxes on wealthier Americans while backing same-sex marriage and abortion rights.
An estimated 35,000 attendees will be at the convention in Charlotte, N.C.
First lady Michelle Obama is the last speaker scheduled Tuesday night. San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro will deliver Tuesday's keynote address.
Republicans held their convention last week in Tampa, Fla., and nominated Mitt Romney to oppose President Barack Obama.
The platform that Democrats will adopt is a sharp contrast from the blueprint that the GOP adopted at its convention. The Republican plan would ban abortion and gay marriage, repeal Obama's health care overhaul and shift Medicare into a voucher-style program.
