The Democrats honored one of their liberal lions, the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, and used him to tweak Mitt Romney, who challenged him unsuccessfully for the Senate in 1994. In a video tribute, Mr. Kennedy was shown debating Mr. Romney over abortion rights during that campaign. Mr. Romney insisted he supported Roe vs. Wade, a position he later disavowed.
“I'm pro-choice,†Mr. Kennedy declared, with a gibe that has been thrown at Mr. Romney many times in his political career. “My opponent is multiple choice.â€
The video portrayed President Obama as the steward of Mr. Kennedy's legislative legacy, with his passage of longtime Kennedy causes like the health care overhaul and the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Mr. Kennedy's endorsement of Mr. Obama in 2008 was a crucial imprimatur for the young senator in his battle with Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Mr. Kennedy's grand-nephew, Joe Kennedy III, a candidate for the 4th Congressional district in Massachusetts, appeared before the crowd to say, “This is the first convention since 1956 that we meet without Senator Ted Kennedy. But make no mistake: he is here with us tonight.â€
“As we pause to remember Senator Kennedy,†the tousled-haired Mr. Kennedy said, “we recommit ourselves to the leader he trusted to carry on his causes.â€
Caroline Kennedy will speak at the convention on Wednesday night.
Republicans criticized the video as inappropriate. “Classless Dems use tribute video of deceased Ted Kennedy to attack Mitt Romney,†said Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, in a Twitter message.
