What a way to start your day! No, I don’t mean the Eggs Benedict and French Toast we were treated to at breakfast. I mean by the speakers at our Wednesday morning delegation breakfast.
The featured guest for the morning was Governor Kaine. His Mom and Dad were in from Kansas for the convention and they came along with Anne to dine with us.
They say you can tell how people truly feel about political candidates based on what they say about them and how enthusiastically they say it. I’m that way about Tim, as any of you who have heard me introduce him or talk about him can attest. It’s easy to be excited and you don’t have to worry about what you’re going to say. Well, our governor feels the same way about Barack Obama.
It showed Wednesday morning. Tim was “Fired Up and Ready to Go”, and he proceeded to wake us all up in rapid fashion. He began by ticking off the progress of the Democratic Party in Virginia over the last several years and then shared his recipe for success for the party.
1 - Solve problems – citing the example of the Democrats in the General Assembly
2 - Stick together – don’t fall victim to infighting and present a unified front
His focus then turned to 2008. The Governor chided John McCain for not knowing how many houses he owns and for admitting that he doesn’t know much about the economy. He blasted the Republicans for calling Obama an “elitist” when his mother had to resort to food stamps to care for her family after Barack’s father abandoned them. He spoke about Michelle’s humble roots, growing up on the South Side of Chicago. Tim was in prime form!
In case any of you are saying to yourselves, “Gee, I wish I could have heard him”, I videoed the breakfast and plan to show it at our September MCDC meeting. Join us!
But, I promised you Tim and Terry. We were also treated to remarks from former DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe. Terry, as you may know is good friends with the Clinton’s, and does a darned good imitation of Bill. Put Terry in front of a group of Democrats and the results are hilarious. (Have I hooked you yet? September 18th, 7pm)
After breakfast, Terry sat and autographed copies of his book “What a Party!” that he had given to each member of the delegation. Rumor has it he may be thinking about running for Governor in ’09. In my opinion, he hasn’t paid his dues in Virginia, even though he has been very active on the national scene. None the less, he’s a very engaging and entertaining guy.
This was the only day we had a planned luncheon. Other days, we were on our own after breakfast. Today, we would hear from Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts. Governor Patrick is only the second African American ever elected to lead a state. Our own Governor Doug Wilder was first, and he was on hand to introduce Patrick.
After lunch, there was only a little time to work on my blog and then it was off to the convention. People who attend national conventions tend to do things differently, based on their interests and level of commitment. For example, my new friend Terry Frye from Bristol made it a point to attend every energy related forum and roundtable he could fit in to the schedule. I decided to make every effort possible to include my friends back home via blogging and to attend as much of the gavel to gavel convention proceedings as practical.
Wednesday night at the convention, we were going to hear from Joe Biden, our Vice Presidential nominee. But first, it was time for the second speech from the Clinton camp. Tonight, the world would be watching and listening to see how enthusiastically former President Bill Clinton would endorse Barack Obama. Anyone who saw the speech will attest to the fact that he didn’t disappoint us in any way. Not only was Bill vintage Bill, but he also unequivocally verbalized his support for the Obama-Biden ticket. The crowd responded with a rousing, enduring ovation.
Joe Biden’s son Beau, Attorney General of Delaware drew the task of introducing his Dad. It was a very emotional time, for Beau is preparing to return to active duty and ship out for the Middle East. The emotions were cranked up a notch as Beau related the story of how he and his brother were involved in a car accident with their Mother while their Dad was in D.C. preparing to take the oath of office after being elected to the Senate at the age of 29. His Mother was killed in the crash and his Dad debated whether or not he could take on the job of raising two boys while accepting the responsibility granted him by the citizens of Delaware in electing him to the Senate. When Beau finished, there was not a dry eye in the house.
Of course, Joe Biden showed us right away why Barack Obama picked him to be his Vice President. With decades of experience in the Senate and a natural way of connecting to people, Biden is the consummate statesman. He didn’t take long to cut to the chase and blast the Bush-McCain doctrine. Of course, we didn’t know it then, but now we know Joe will be up against Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in the Vice Presidential debates. I’m sure they call the Governor Sarah Barracuda for a good reason, but my prediction is that Biden will chew her up and spit her out in little bitty pieces! He is without a doubt qualified to be Vice President and stand a heartbeat away from the top job.
Next – All But Over, The Last Day
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