Gov. Malloy, John Larson Praise Barack Obama On Convention’s Second Night

Following a rousing speech by a fellow Democrat that fired up the crowd, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy stepped onto the stage at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night to methodically criticize Republicans and strongly defend President Barack Obama.

“We Democrats have nothing against people who’ve earned their wealth,’’ Malloy said on the second night of the convention in Charlotte, N.C. “We salute their hard work and their good fortune. But slashing what we invest in schools, in roads, in research and development, in clean energy, and in the things that protect our most vulnerable just to cut taxes for those at the top is ridiculous. It’s wrong.’’

Malloy focused mainly on the budget priorities of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and his running mate, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. While Romney and his campaign have repeatedly said that Romney would make the final decisions on the federal budget and other policy proposals, Malloy focused his remarks on the budget proposed previously by Ryan that has never passed in both chambers of Congress.

The Connecticut governor’s speech came at about 7 p.m. and was televised on C-SPAN – away from the wider spotlight for featured speakers at 10 p.m. on multiple television networks. His remarks were among more than 30 speeches and video tributes that came sandwiched in between the Pledge of Allegiance and the final remarks of the night by President Bill Clinton.“Mitt Romney has said that if he was President and Paul Ryan’s budget passed, he would sign it into law,’’ Malloy told the crowd. “That’s what he said, so let’s talk about what it would mean.’’

After detailing some of the proposed cuts, Malloy added, “But that’s the Romney-Ryan budget. It isn’t conservative. It’s harsh. It’s radical, and it is wrong. Let’s be clear. It would shred the safety net that protects the middle class and those striving to be in the middle class. It would undermine FDR’s New Deal, unravel Harry Truman’s Fair Deal, and leave us with Mitt Romney’s Raw Deal.’’

Malloy stepped onto the stage immediately after an animated speech by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri that had fired up the crowd with multiple ovations.

“In politics, you don’t want to follow the person who sings the Star Spangled Banner or a great icon like that,’’ Malloy said of Cleaver. “That was a wonderful, wonderful speech. God bless him.’’

Malloy’s appearance for more than six minutes on the stage Wednesday night came at the end of two days of constant appearances at the convention.

Less than two hours before Malloy’s speech Wednesday evening, Larson took to the stage in a speech televised by C-SPAN that made numerous references to his mother, father, and a well-known eatery in his hometown of East Hartford.

“Hello, Connecticut,’’ Larson said as he stepped to the microphone. “Hello everyone back home at Augie & Ray’s.’’

Noting that he is one of eight children who grew up in public housing in Mayberry Village, Larson mentioned that his father worked at East Hartford-based Pratt & Whitney, the famed aircraft engine maker. His father mentioned frequently that he worked hard because he needed to “keep the eagle flying’’ — a reference to the longtime logo and symbol of the company.

A former state senator, Larson has risen to be chairman of the House Democratic caucus — one of the most powerful positions in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is running for reelection this year against Republican John Henry Decker.

“For more than 40 years, my mother has faced multiple sclerosis,’’ Larson said, adding that she has been receiving Social Security, Medicare, and her husband’s pension through the years.

“Now, my mother, facing dementia, requires round-the-clock care. Every cent, though, of my father’s pension, every penny from those Social Security benefits goes to help pay her bills. Don’t ever tell me or any American that’s a handout. It’s the insurance they’ve paid for.’’

Larson added that his mother now tells him that she does not want to be a burden.

“Mom, you’re not a burden,’’ Larson told the crowd. “You’re an inspiration.’’

During Larson’s six-minute, televised speech, the camera panned the crowd at times to show state House Majority Leader J. Brendan Sharkey of Hamden, Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, and former U.S. Rep. Barbara B. Kennelly of Hartford.

“I know I’m preaching to the choir here tonight, but as the Sisters of Notre Dame would remind us, it’s the choir that leads the singing,’’ Larson said. “If we stand together with President Obama, not only will the eagle keep flying, it will soar! God bless you. God bless America.’’