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.
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