Back at my seat on the floor at Invesco Field. Despite the big white bronco rearing up over the East end of the stadium and the upper deck ringed with the names and numbers of retired Bronco players it didn't feel like football. There were no adversaries here. We were all on the same team with Obama as quarterback, coach, manager and cheerleader too. It was remarkable that so many had come from so far to be there in Denver. The anticipation was tremendous as the place began to fill up.The stage show began about 1:30 or 2pm. First up was a great bluegrass band. I am not that into bluegrass but this band got everybody in an even more celebratory mood. The weather was beautiful -- it could not have been better -- started out super warm then became pleasantly breezy. (I suppose that preacher who prayed for rain on Obama is rethinking his religion or at least which political party is favored by God. Please. There is only irony or symbolism in severe storms striking during the Republican Convention, not the hand of God.) The official program began with presentation of colors, an elaborate military ritual placing of the flag. Very reverent. Then Jennifer Hudson sang the national anthem and I actually got goosebumps. Many things happened throughout the day that were just absorbed, washed over me. During a speech by I can't remember who, Congressman Conyers came on to the floor by our row. He was mobbed and we all took photographs with him. Conyers was funny, kind of goofy and he insisted we all say OBAMA when smiling for the camera which is not a good idea because everyone's mouth is wide open and makes him look angry! I have thought about it and asking people to say BARACK is much better for pictures. Anyway, David Plouffe came on and got a big applause to kick off the speechmaking. I loved the Military guy who told us he voted for the Nixon, Reagan, Bush I and Bush II -- and said he would not make that mistake again. I loved the image of the generals on stage with that stiff Major General backing the idea of Obama as suitable for C in C. I wondered then why Wesley Clark wasn't making the speech, but maybe he has been on TV too much. Stevie Wonder was great to see even if it wasn't the best musical performance in the world. He played two songs. Sheryl Crow played three and Will i. am. sang Yes We Can with John Legend. Al Gore was powerful. Where was that guy 8 years ago? sigh. Is this a highlight or a lowlight of the day? At one point I had to take a bathroom break and waited in line with Anderson Cooper for one of three porto-pottys, but surprisingly it was not a long wait. All in all I was impressed at how well organized and smooth this operation went in every respect. If Obama's administration is run like his campaign and this convention then we will be in great hands.I thought one of the most extraordinary moments during this day was when they put forward those regular folk, like Barney Smith who asked for the day that the government cared more for guys like Barney Smith and less for Smith Barney. Woop woop. The other 3 or 4 people were likewise fabulous in that they had their catchphrase, delivered it perfectly and were cheered off the stage! Each spoke for only a minute but it was a real average sort of citizen of the USA putting their voice behind Obama.
As for the Hillary contingent -- they are no more. Not on the floor of the Convention. Sen. Dick Durbin then spoke. He had introduced Obama in 2004 -- and seemed positively smug about it. After a few more words, he gave way to the video of young Obama. It is sad that he only knew his Dad for a month when he was ten years old. And then the man himself took the stage. This was the culmination of all that we had hoped for. The excitement, the good will and happiness, the hard work. Barack was inspiring and authentic. He seeemed positively Presidential. But not in that George W. Bush tough guy swagger hands out by his sides to grab a six shooter way. That ridiculous obvious movie based image is about to go away and never be seen again. Instead, as we all saw Thursday night, there is a quiet confidence, a sense of power that he seems to carry effortlessly. Real power, not the kind which shows itself by kicking sand in the face of a weakling, but the kind that comes to the aid of the weakling in the face of that tough guy. Obama makes you think he knows how to scrap, he would just rather not. He seems reasonable, not cautious. Overall, with one word I would say what Barack has got is charisma. I stood on my chair for the last five minutes of his speech. And then the confetti and streams were released, I didn't even miss the traditional balloons (whose failure to fall may have led to John Kerry's defeat). We all just stood there and hugged each other and absorb the scene as the fireworks went off and the families united on stage. Wow. Awesome.I didn't want it to be over, didn't want to leave Invesco. Found my friends and checked out the media stands. While standing behind NBC was stopped and interviewed by CBS about the speech and what we need to do now to help Obama. People in the stands kept shouting "Fox sucks Fox sucks." Slowly made our way out of stadium and instead of sitting on a bus in traffic, figured it would be easier to walk the 2 miles back to the hotel. The streets of Denver were thumping with music, jammed with people and even the cops seemed happier.
It's the big day-Obama's nomination speech at Invesco Field. Woke up and got down to the concourse level where we pick up our credentials. Gavin Newsome and other mayors were speaking at the CA breakfast. Wearing the credential as we walked outside, a woman warned me to be careful because people were stealing them from around the delegates necks. I was worried my husband Doug wouldn't get to go to the speech because we were not guaranteed tickets, but AC hooked him up with an extra general admission ticket (thank you). We were told that the delegate buses to Invesco start running at 12:30 but my delegate buddy Uduak insisted we leave earlier that that. Good idea. I called Luis Alejo to see what his plan was and he said he had already walked to the stadium, so I asked him to save us seats. Uduak and I got on a nearly empty bus left at 12pm and thank god we did because we learned that there were huge crowds and endless traffic for delegates who left later. Arrived at Invesco and found Luis, in the front row of the California section, our seats were beyond amazing, we were right behind the Colorado delegation (they had best seats because they are hosts), I'm talking nine rows from the stage. Close enough to play catch with Obama. I originally thought that moving from Pepsi to Invesco would be less intimate but in fact the California delegation was even closer to the action despite that fact that we are not a battleground state. We were first of the California delegation to arrive. Thank You Luis!!! Despite the heat I knew I was not going to drink too many fluids for fear of needing a bathroom break. It was very hot and I was glad I wore white dress. The energy was out of this world. And this is almost 7 hours before Obama was to arrive. So much good will and anticipation in the air. Luis, Uduak and I pledge to guard each others seats no matter what. Even if Eva Longoria or Bono show up -- too bad. I wandered around taking pictures, ate a hamburger, and repeatedly texted/called Doug to see how his long wait in the line outside was going. More later
Missed out on posting on Weds due to technical difficulties, so this post is post experience. After taking a brief nap on Wed went to lecture by Dennis Kucinich who brought his foxy wife. Then with the daily issued credential dangling from my neck, got through security to board the bus to the Pepsi Center. What an exciting day it was. On television the best part about the Convention for the Delegates was the Roll Call, when each state was announced "for the Great State of ...." And then they cast their votes. Of course this is what I had come here to do -- cast my vote for BARACK OBAMA! As you all know it was a great ending to the Roll Call with the states yielding to New York as HRC made her way to the floor and asked for a vote by acclamation. No one leaked to me or anyone around me that this was what she would do. It was really a unifying moment.
I actually cast my individual vote during the breakfast session that morning, like a ballot by mail. They passed around a sheet and I checked Obama box and signed my name. At the Pepsi Center got a seat, by the way no assigned seating. Just show up and hopefully get seat with your delegation. If you get up to walk around, get something to eat or go to bathroom you might not have that seat when you get back. On Tuesday I left my seat and Dennis Kucinich stole it, that was ok because I stole Maxine Waters seat.
Back to the Roll Call. I was as shocked as everyone else when California "Passed" but then we realized it was a strategy to allow Hillary to put Obama over the top. That was a huge surprise for everyone. On to the speakers. Evan Baugh-boring, John Kerry fantastic, Of course Bill, brilliant-went even farther than Hills in his support. I believe he had to. Crowd went crazy, a little too crazy if you ask me. Notice non-political celebrities milling about Jaime Foxx, Pittsburgh Steeler great Franco Harris, and a few others. Biden's son gave great speech and was very touching many people were not familiar with Biden's story must admit i was initially puzzled when the son said he was not going to be around for the election, till I learned he was not only the attorney general of Deleware but in the military and going to Iraq. Biden himself- We were handed signs with directions when to raise them, as we were throughout the convention speeches, this time we were given additional direction with response to Biden's line our response was "John McCain-More of the Same" the crowd still managed to screw the line up. Crazy excitement. And then surprise number two our man Obama came out and took the stage with his vice-president and family. What an incredible experience and at the same time it was clear that Invesco Field was going to be even better. Walked back to the hotel from Pepsi Center about a mile, boy my feet hurt.
Perhaps the best lecture series offered at the Convention is the one sponsored by the American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT). A close second may be the Progressive Democratic Coalition (I could be wrong on the name). At the AMT yesterday Representative Keith Ellison spoke about "Strategies for Battleground States" but his powerful speech also touched on the difficulty of being Muslim in America. He defended Islam as not only compatible with democracy but also argued that it is compatible with equal rights for women. Many questions were asked by attendees from all over the country and the world. Rep. Ellison argued that the continued fight in Afghanistan will be lost if it is only pursued as a matter of military force. He said many other interesting things and proved himself to be smart savvy and possibly a rising star in the Democratic Party. Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now spoke later in the day on "How the Corporate Media has failed the American People." Today's slate includes a lecture by Rep. Dennis Kucinich who will be speaking on "Ending the War in Iraq Now" and tomorrow Rep. John Conyers will discuss "Undoing the damage of the Damage Done by the Bush Administration."
On to the Convention: everybody must be familiar with the fantastic speech Hillary gave. I don't think anyone can seriously maintain any longer that she has not thrown her full support behind Barack. Thank goodness. Montana Governor Schweitzer was great as was PA Sen. Casey and again Dennis K. If you didn't watch it live, check it out on Youtube becuz he was on fire shouting "Wake up America!!!" Pretty good stuff.
This morning's breakfast lectures included Senators John Kerry and Clare McCaskill who said it was time to get outside "your comfort zone." She said that up until now many have been willing to talk to their friends and co-workers about Obama but now in the next 70 days, we need to talk to and engage with strangers too. She said that shyness is no longer an excuse and that McCain's strategy is plainly about trying to scare people about Obama. (Has anyone noticed that the RNC website doesn't even mention John McCain?) She said that the Republicans have nothing except fear to run on and then she urged us all to regard the urgency of NOW. The crowd was pumped up and breakfast ended at exactly 10am.
Time for a nap.
Yesterday was fun filled for me but less so for those working behind the scenes at the Convention. After a delicious meal at Rioja on Larimer in Denver we went back to the hotel and soon to sleep when our favorite Santa Cruz fundraiser, Steering Committee member and all around wonderful person Angela Chessnut called to say she was still working at the Pepsi Center -- since 7AM. OUCH. So what else could we do but join her for a drink. That was a blast, we met great people from AFT or NEA or another teacher's union.
In what may be a pattern this week in Denver, in the late evening we were at last finding our way to the Sheraton when we were stopped by an old buddy from Santa Cruz Ericson Albrecht who was elected a delegate from LA. Finally we made it back in time to watch the Men's Basketball final on TV. Whew, close game -- but like Obama's policies, the US came first. Denver: very pretty town, snowcapped mountains amidst endless flat plains. The city seems to be all about Obama all of the time. Merchandise is available everywhere -- Obamamania may also make a few folks in Denver some bucks, but that's only fair. Cops. cops. and more cops. Thunder but very little rain. Steppin out for some culture. KC
Leaving on Saturday, finally, I have been waiting for this day since the delegate caucus. Must admit for the last couple of months friends and acquaintances have had one of three things to say to me regarding being a delegate. 1. "Are you excited?" -Yes! 2. "Who will he pick for VP?"-Your guess is a good as mine. 3. "Are you going to meet Obama?" I doubt it. (This is usually followed by a "Well if you do, tell him he needs to XXXXXX") Yeah.
I think the highlight will be having a seat on the floor for Obama's nomination speech. I won't lie, when it was first announced that the event was moved from the "intimate" Pepsi Center to the Invesco Stadium I was a little bummed out. But now I could not be more excited and I am so happy -- and grateful -- to be a part of this historic event. Can you imagine the energy of 80,000 people that will be rockin that place! Wow.
Got to go pack, what's the bag limit again?
Kristin (fired up and been ready to go to Denver since Super Tuesday) Carter
