COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
The Democratic National Convention reached its emotional crescendo as President Obama took the stage at Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena Thursday night.
The convention's finale was downsized from original plans due to a threat of bad weather but many analysts say the president's remarks capped off a well-run, successful event.
New polling out Friday confirms a boost for President Obama's job approval ratings. According to Gallup, it was a seven point gain compared to polls taken just before the convention began.
So now what?
"(So) maybe our base has lost the enthusiasm," said South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Dick Harpootlian. "Young people, Hispanics, minorities. If they have, they are rejuvenated and this convention has sent the message. We're here and we're fighting."
Republicans have been quick to pounce on disappointing job figures released just hours after the President left the arena.
"96,000 jobs created but sadly, 340,000 new that have left the job rolls completely," said South Carolina Republican Party Executive Director Matt Moore.
"So even if you know they're claiming 4,000,000 jobs created, the number of people looking for jobs, something like nine million right now," said Moore. "So I don't see any wind in their sails following the convention."
Leading Democrats, including South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn, admitted this week that any post-convention bump for the president would probably not last very long.
"I do not believe that this president goes into the debates with any kind of an advantage," said Clyburn. "I think he will be standing toe to toe on an equal footing and he must acquit himself well."
Both parties now look to how their candidates will perform in a series of three debates.
One slip, or one memorable zinger, could make a crucial difference in a race that is still too close to predict.
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Democratic delegates respond to President Obama's nomination acceptance speech
