CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The race to Oval Office has officially begun. President Barack Obama accepted the Democratic Party's nomination to run for re-election Thursday night.

In his speech, he outlined some of his plans. Obama says he will focus on creating more than a million jobs in the manufacturing sector by 2016. He wants double exports by 2014. Obama said wants to cut oil imports in half, cut the growth of college tuition in half over the next decade.

The President also wants to cut the nation's deficit by more than $4 trillion over the next decade.

But Obama says no matter who you vote for on November 6th, big changes need to be made in Washington.

"Over the next few years, big decisions will be made in Washington, on jobs and the economy, taxes and deficits, energy and education, war and peace. Decisions that will have a huge impact on our lives and our children’s lives for decades to come," Obama said.

Obama said that the path he's offering the country isn't necessarily an easier one, but one that leads to a better future.