Biden: Mission of prosperity will be done

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 6 (UPI) -- America is on a mission to move forward "from doubt and downturn to prosperity," Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday at the Democratic National Convention.

"This generation of America has proven itself worthy as any generation before us. We possess the same grit, the same determination, the same courage that has always defined what it means to be a great America," Biden said when he accepted the vice presidential nomination at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C. "Together we're on a mission to move this nation forward from doubt and downturn to prosperity. A mission, I guarantee you, we will complete."

Biden said the choice Americans have in November is stark between Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

"Two different visions. Two different value sets," Biden said. "And at its core, the difference is, we have incredible faith in the decency, and the hard work of the American people. And we know what has made this country great -- its people."

Biden cited two instances to differentiate between Obama and Romney: the auto industry bailout and the killing of al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden.

Obama understood something his advisers didn't, Biden said.

"He understood this wasn't just about cars. It was about the people who made those cars and the America those people built," the vice president said.

Biden said he didn't think Romney understood that the bailout wasn't just about saving the auto worker's job or the industry "but what it meant to all of America," and looked at it as he may have had he still been leading Bain Capital.

"I think he saw it in terms of balance sheets and write-off," Biden said. "The Bain way may bring your firm the highest profits, but it not the way to lead a country from the highest office."

Concerning the military raid on bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, Biden said Obama understood the search for bin Laden "was a lot more than taking monstrous leader off the battlefield. It was about righting an unspeakable wrong and healing an unbearable wound in America's heart."

It also told the world: "If you attack innocents in America, we will follow you to the ends of the earth."

Romney, Biden reminded the audience said in 2007 he didn't think it was the time and money to capture one person.

"He was wrong," Biden said. "If you understand that America's heart has to be healed, you would have done what the president did, and you would have moved heaven and earth to bring him down and get justice."

Because of Obama's actions and determination "we can now proudly say, Osama bin laden is dead and General Motors is alive," Biden said.

The choice in November boils down to one fundamental difference, Biden said.

"You, we, most Americans, have an incredible faith in the decency of hard work of the American people."

"You never quit on America," Biden said, "and you deserve a president who will never quit on you."

"The journey of hope is not yet finished, but we are on our way. The cause of change is not fully accomplished, but we are on our way," Biden said in closing. "So I say to you tonight, with absolute confidence, America's best days are ahead of us, and, yes, we are on our way."