Charlotte will host Democratic National Convention in 2012

First lady Michelle Obama announced in a posting on BarackObama.com that Charlotte will host the 46th Democratic National Convention in 2012. St. Louis, Minneapolis and Cleveland were the three other cities in the running.

In an email sent out to supporters, Michelle Obama wrote:

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. 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.

Barack and I spent a lot of time in North Carolina during the campaign — from the Atlantic Coast to the Research Triangle to the Smoky Mountains and everywhere in between. Barack enjoyed Asheville so much when he spent several days preparing for the second Presidential debate that our family vacationed there in 2009.

The Republican National Convention will be held in Tampa, Fla.