My Diary of the Democratic National Convention by Councilwoman Lovely Warren
Thu, Aug 28, 2008  Day 1: Arriving in Denver
It's 4am in Rochester, NY. I arrived at the airport sleepy but excited because I am about to witness history. We arrive in Atlanta where we will be taking our connecting flight to Denver. At the gate, there are over 100 people with Obama08 stickers, pins and hats. The buzz has started. Spirits are definately high. I meet delegates from Pittsburgh, Boston, Florida, New York and DC all united, all ready to take Denver by storm. I quietly board my plane reading this month’s Essence Magazine about the Obama family. The gentlemen thats sits next to me is from England. He hopes that Obama gets elected too.
As the plane lands, I look out the window at the Rocky Mountains off in distance. The flat landscape and the blue skies hit me as I walk out of the airport. Locals comment that they have never seen so many people, not even during peak ski season. Everyone's polite and friendly “can I help you? Do you need a taxi? Do you need help with your bags?” --I hear all over the place.
Finally, we are driving down the highway and I see WELCOME DNCC 2008 CONVENTION. “We’re here!” I shout. My boss looks at me as if I have lost my mind.
I tell her, “I am here to witness history live up close and personal. I will be able to tell my nephews and unborn children that I cast into a vote at the Democratic Convention nominating our first African American President. “
I pause and reflect on where my community has been, the trials and tribulations my ancestors suffered and I think we are redeemed. I think about an article I read in Essence about young black boys that used to be ‘problem children’ who are currently working extra hard because they believe with all their heart change is coming.
As we arrive at the hotel the vendors are ready to make money, the protests have started, the police are in riot gear and the horses are standing at attention. Welcome to Denver, Colorado.
Day 2: NY convention and Michelle Obama
The NY Delegation was invited to a breakfast yesterday morning—we sat down and Sen. Hillary Clinton walked in. She made a grand entrance. Her supporters waved “Hillary Made History” signs. “Hillary! Hillary!” echoed throughout the hall. She spoke eloquently about uniting and supporting the democratic nominee. She told the crowd that a vote for McCain would be a wrong vote.
After her speech, I sat down to speak with an elderly woman. She said, “Hillary will always be Hillary. She, in some ways, feels like she’s been cheated and when she’s speaking it seems insincere. [But,] today is the day Dr. King talked about. Look around you, this is the first time that I have seen anything like this. Barack isn’t just black he’s a man and this man is what we need. His story is the story of David and Goliath. God is in control of this thing. History will be made here this week and I am here to witness it. The struggle was all worth it,” she concluded.
During the day, the streets were rather empty- no protesters around the hotel like the day before. However, as the shuttle bus proceeded to the convention center the crowds gathered Celebrities and news anchors were all over the place, the convention center was packed standing room only. I arrived at the Pepsi Convention Center as Caroline Kennedy introduced her Uncle Ted. The crowd went wild!
Senator Kennedy made the trip against doctor’s orders. His speech was powerful, dynamic and moving. “We need renewal for our nation, the torch must be passed to a new generation, the work must begin a new THE HOPE RISES AGAIN AND THE DREAM LIVES ON, he said.” The energy in the room was so high—the song Celebration played in the background.
Before Michelle Obama took the stage they showed a video of her and her family. It talked about her father and the love she had for him. It told her story and how Barack asked her out many, many times before she accepted. He snagged her when he offered to buy her ice cream after a company picnic. Craig Robinson, Michelle’s brother introduced her. He said, “My daddy is smiling down on her not because of who she married although he loved Barack but because of who she is. She is a strong, loving and compassionate person.”
Michelle’s stage presence was unbelievable. She looked absolutely flawless. Her hair was phenomenal and her makeup was just right. She said what she loved about her husband was that he empowers people to see the world as it is and the way it should be. He wants people to believe in fairness and justice and we all know what it looks like. He wants people to find the strength in themselves. The great American Story is the thread that ties us together. Barack will bring the change we need, she concluded.
As I sat there listening to her, tears weld in my eyes because I believed. I understood that their story is truly the American story. I believed.
As I watched her daughters embrace her and look loving at the screen were their father was on live, I truly understood what the elderly lady had said earlier. This is the story of David and Goliath the old vs. the new. We must all do our part in letting go of our fears and embracing our future. A new America Dr. King would be proud of.
Day 3: Hillary Clinton
Today the protesters were out in full force. Pro-lifer’s lined the streets with graphic photos and peace in the Middle East protesters were walking around on a mission. It was about 90 degrees here and the tempers among the protesters were pretty hot. They went back and forth with Obama supporters. One lady said, “I don’t get you pro-life people you don’t believe in abortion – nor do you believe in birth control. You guys really need to get your act together.”
I decided to walk to the Pepsi Arena where the convention was being held what a mistake. I guess everyone had the same idea instead of taking the shuttle. I stood in line over an hour waiting to be screened by security. As I made it through security I noticed they treated everyone the same, media, television anchors and delegates. As I approached the arena the crowd was thick -- a little solemn, maybe it was the heat.
“America is a place where you can make it if you try. Opportunity is yours no matter who your parents are or where you come from,” this was the message I heard from an Obama video that was playing as I entered the arena. There were many speakers tonight and the crowd became restless. They began to talk over many of the speakers and the atmosphere was in some ways disrespectful to them.
Everyone was waiting for Hillary. Suddenly the people in front of me started behind them -- sitting right above us was our very own Michelle Obama and Joe Biden. I immediately jumped up, grabbed my camera and made my way up the stairs. I was on a mission the guard cleared the stairs and gave me a direct path to Michelle. I stood in awe as I took two to three photos of her. She waved at us and smiled. Awesome!
I made it back to my seat and on the floor in front of me was Spike Lee, Judge Mathias, Angela Bassett among other celebrities that were in the crowd I heard Jasmine Guy, Ashley Judd and Dee from Moesha was all in the building. Around 8:20 a video began a story about a girl who broke down barriers and shattered the glass ceiling. Hillary signs were being passed out. I looked around the arena and as high as one could see were people. People were everywhere. It was standing room only and then Chelsea Clinton walked onto the stage and said, “I introduce to you my mother Hillary Rodham Clinton.” The crowd went wild Hillary signs were as far as you could see. Everyone eagerly took there seat anticipating, waiting and keenly listening to every word that came out of her mouth. This was her moment to unite the party.
She said genuinely, “Barack is my candidate.” She emphasized that this election is about America. When the polls have closed it comes down to the American people, the families. The American people have taught her so much. Hillary will remember the injured American soldier who fought in Iraq who said take care of my buddies and then take care of me, the single mom with no health insurance and all the other people she has met on the campaign trail. Senator Clinton thanked her supporters, the sisterhood of the traveling pants suits, Congresswoman Stubbs-Jones and all those that didn’t give up on her.
She attacked John McCain and George Bush by noting that there is no coincidence that they both will be in the Twin Cities because you can’t tell either of them apart. She brought the crowd to their feet and then she said it the most powerful statement of the night.
To her supporters she said, “Did you vote for me because it was me or did you vote for what I stood for?” If you are tired of the war, the deficit, the economy and defective healthcare then you must join with me and you must vote for Barack Obama. A Democrat needs to take back the White House. We did it before when Bill Clinton was in office and we will do it again when Obama takes the White House. Barack will revitalize the democrats and he will save this country. The crowd was moved to tears of joy. They were empowered and many understood it was time to let go and move on.
She noted 88 years ago on this very day woman got the right to vote. She ended her speech by talking about Harriet Tubman and her method of freeing the slaves. She said, Harriet said if you hear a dog keep going, if you hear people shouting you keep going, if you get scared you have to keep going and as Americans we have to keep going but before we keep going we must get going by electing Barack Obama President of the United States.
To be in the crowd was absolutely unbelievable. She said exactly what we needed to hear. After that speech I walked back to my hotel feeling excited and ready to do all I can to win this election. I know now, Barack can’t do it by himself. He needs each one of us to do our part.
Day 4 - Barack Obama
It happened yesterday. History was made. An African American became the Democratic Presidential Candidate. Although we all knew it would ultimately happen it wasn’t until the roll call was ended and Hillary Clinton called for a vote by affirmation that the tears began to stream down people faces and older African American men started shouting and crying. I never thought that I would see this day. We did it, we did it was what you heard from the crowd.
So how did we get here – Shirley Chisholm the great legislator from New York was the first African American to seek the Democratic Nomination, then Jesse Jackson in 1984 and 1988 sought to be the democratic presidential candidate both of these individuals paved the way for this historical nomination. Now today 45 years after Mr. Luther King marched on Washington and delivered his I have a Dream speech Barack Obama will deliver his Democratic Presidential acceptance speech in front of 80,000 people. When you look at the whole picture then you must believe that there is a God and he is in control of this thing.
So if you are wondering about this roll call thing here’s how it’s done. Every morning delegates have to go and get credentials. Credentials are tickets that show that you are a delegate and have a right to vote and be on the convention floor. When each delegate picked up their credentials yesterday morning they were asked to cast their vote and sign their name on the sheet next to their vote for Hillary or Barack. It was not a secret ballot. Every state had to turn their voting sheets in to the national party by 1pm. The meeting was called to order at 3pm and the roll call began. Party leaders from every state gathered to read the results on the record. I watched from my hotel room. They called for California and Cali yielded to Colorado who cast their votes. As the states cast their votes it became evident Obama was betting Hillary in a margin of 4 to 1. Illinois yielded the floor to another state because they wanted to be the state to put him over the top, but then it happened the floor was turned over to New York and Hillary Clinton – Barack’s former rival asked the Chair to suspend the roll call and call for a vote by affirmation. Nancy Pelosi heeded the motion and in an unprecedented vote by affirmation Barack became the Democratic Nominee. Wow!
I arrived at the convention moments later and people were everywhere. Everyone was ecstatic and filled with joy. A few veterans and soldiers spoke about the war and their belief that Barack would be the best Commander and Chief. The topic of the night was National Security and Military affairs.
The helpers started to pass out American flags and Bill Clinton came onto the stage, the flags started to wave and the crowd stood to their feet. He was received well and his speech sealed the deal. Rather he meant it or not he closed whatever loop hole that people wanted to point out about his family not fully supporting Barack. He unequivocally stated that as for him and his wife they will do everything they can to help Obama win this Presidential race. He said when he ran the main contention was that he didn’t have experience nor was he ready and the critics are saying the same about Obama. It was evident that he wanted the world to know that he believed now more than ever that Barack was ready, willing and able to restore this country back to its greatness. He said, “In Barack first presidential decision he made the right choice in choosing Joe Biden as his running mate. With a commanding tone and voice he stated that people across the world admired America for its POWER OF EXAMPLE NOT ITS EXAMPLE OF ITS POWER. He noted that Obama knows that America cannot be strong abroad if we first are not strong at home. Acknowledging that when he was elected he was on the right side of history -- he now believes Obama is on the right side of history as well.
Then John Kerry took the stage and spoke about how McCain continues to flip flop on issues. In a humorous moment he said before McCain decides to debate Obama he should finish the debate with himself. McCain voted 90% of the time with Bush. Other speakers stated when a man who has worn a uniform is sleeping on the streets we are all dishonored. Did you know that the suicide numbers for people who fought in the Vietnam War exceeded the number of people that died in that war? A former lifelong Republican said he switched parties this year because the grand old party is no longer grand, their just old. They have old ideas and are not innovative in their thinking.
A video began to play about the Vice Presidential candidate and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Beau Biden the son of Joe Biden introduced him. Beau spoke about how his father almost didn’t take the oath of office as Senator of Delaware because while his dad was in Washington looking at his new office – his family was involved in a terrible car accident. His first wife and daughters died in that accident and his sons were seriously injured. Senator Biden told the voters in Deleware that they could find a new senator but his son could not get a new father. It was unbelievable. After some consoling from his friends Joe took the oath of office in his son’s hospital room. Beau noted that his dad took the train home every night from Washington so that he could put his children to bed and be by their side every step of the way. What a father!
Joe Biden took the stage and he spoke about his mother who was in attendance and he also spoke about why McCain is the wrong person to lead this country. He said, “Work is more than a paycheck its dignity, respect and most importantly it’s rather you can look your child in the eye and say we are going to be okay. Under McCain’s plan who he noted was a good friend America’s working class, middle class and poor would lose. McCain voted against minimum wage 19 times and supported Bush policies 90% of the time. He stated that McCain is more of the same. He shouted we don’t have to accept the declining economy, the declining relationships with other countries nor do who have to accept McCain/Bush support of big business against working Americans WE HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE IT.
His wife walked out onto the stage and said, “I have a surprise for you honey.” He said, “Who, what?” And, then it happened. Barack Obama walked onto the stage and the crowd went wild. The energy in the building was through the roof, people were shouting, crying and overjoyed. We were united, as one Party, one America looking forward to Change.
Yesterday a friend that receives my daily updates said Lovely you’ve been energized all year – you didn’t just get energized after Hillary’s speech. She’s right every Saturday morning at 10am I do voter registration. It is my sincere hope that each of you will get registered and make sure those around you are registered. This race is ours to win and each of us must do our part in securing the White House our countries future is at stake.
Please visit again for additional updates and photos of the convention
|
