Front Page Coverage: How The Convention Played on Page One

Two Days Before
Sept. 2, 2012
(Sept. 3 Newspapers)

Day Before
Sept. 3, 2012
(Sept. 4 Newspapers)

Day One
Sept. 4, 2012
(Sept. 5 Newspapers)
Day Two
Sept. 5, 2012
(Sept. 6 Newspapers)

Day Three
Sept. 6, 2012
(Sept. 7 Newspapers)


Summary: Based on an "at a glance" look at a number of front pages, Michelle Obama's speech was the lead convention story.  Five of the nine papers examined ran a photo of the First Lady on page one; four of the five images were fairly standard medium/MCU shots; The Washington Post Special Edition ran a distinctive wide shot from the back of the stage.

Newspaper
Headlines/Reporters

Photos/Photographers
The Charlotte Observer & POLITICO

"'We must once again come together and stand together'"

...BELOW THE FOLD...
Analysis "Dems take hard left on social issues" - David Lightman and William Douglas, McClatchy Newspapers
"Joe Biden: Employee of the Month" [teaser]
"Obama fund looks to close gap on Romney" - Kenneth P. Vogel and Anna Palmer, Politico


MCU of Michelle Obama - Harry E. Walker - MCT
...BELOW THE FOLD...
Biden cutout - uncredited

USA Today "Democrats roar back at GOP" - Susan Page
...BELOW THE FOLD...
"The Clinton Gamble" - Richard Wolf


Delegate waving flag sign during a speech - Jack Gruber/USA Today
...BELOW THE FOLD...
CU file photo of Bill Clinton - Haraz N. Ghanbari/AP


New York Times
(National Edition)
"For Democrats, Opening Pitch At Convention" - Jim Rutenberg
"Carving a Legacy of Giving (to His Party, Too) [Clinton] - Amy Chozich


Wide shot from back of stage of Nancy Pelosi and Democratic congresswomen on stage and the crowd of delegates - Doug Mills/The New York Times

Wall Street Journal "Democrats Push to Rebut GOP" - Laura Meckler and Carol E. Lee
...ON THE FOLD...
"Platform Change on Status Of Jerusalem Sparks Debate" - Naftali Bendavid and Jared Favole


MCU of Michelle Obama waving - Harry E. Walker/Zuma Press
Also, strip above nameplate: closeups campaign buttons, decorated fingernails - Getty Images

Washington Post  "Setting stark choices on Day 1" - Amy Gardner
(Job Creation) "Plant is a boon for N.C., a lesson for candidates" - Lori Montgomery
(The Democratic Platform) "In search of a balance between ideals and realities" - Marc Fisher


Delegates Pamela Young and Tim Kubik - Lucian Perkins for the Washington Post


Washington Post Special Edition "First lady lauds Obama"
"Setting stark choices on first day"
- Amy Gardner
...BELOW THE FOLD...
(Job Creation) "Plant is a boon for N.C., a lesson for candidates" - Lori Montgomery
(The Democratic Platform) "In search of a balance between ideals and realities" - Marc Fisher



Wide shot from back of stage Michelle Obama speaking to the crowd of thousands of delegates in front of her - Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post

Washington Times


"First lady hails 'man we can trust'" - Stephen Dinan
...ON THE FOLD...
"Abortion issue sets tone for attracting women" - Stephen Dinan
...BELOW THE FOLD...
"Kennedy political torch passes to a new generation" - Susan Crabtree


Medium shot of Michelle Obama from the side - Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times

National Journal Convention Daily


"Obama Didn't Stop the Middle-Class Free-Fall" - Jim Tankersley
"Protests, Security Unleash Chaos in Uptown Charlotte" - Amy Harder
"On Race, Obama Treads With Caution"


Police taking away a demonstrator - Chet Susslin


The Hill

"President is 'kindred spirit'" says first lady" - Arnie Parnes
"Rain or shine?  Many or few?  Big stadium poses problems"

MCU of Michelle Obama waving - Gregg Nash