Earlier this afternoon, Michelle Obama checked in to tell us a little about her fourth and final day in Denver.
Tonight is the night Barack accepts the nomination to be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.… As you watch this moment, I ask you to take a few seconds to think about what you’ve helped us do over this year. Think about the doors you’ve knocked on, the money you’ve raised, the people you’ve talked to… and just be proud.
There's still time to be a part of this historic convention! There are thousands of watch parties going on right now across America. You can meet up with other Obama supporters to celebrate when Barack accepts the Democratic nomination. Find a watch party near you now.
And at your watch party, make sure to take photos of yourself and other attendees with our downloadable "hope" and "change" signs. You can then upload them to our Signs of Hope and Change website and show the world that you are standing for change.
We decided this year would be a very special convention. Barack wanted to include ordinary Americans from across the nation in all parts of the convention – from drafting the Party Platform, to speaking to delegates, to organizing and shaping the convention.
One very special way we included ordinary Americans was “Backstage with Barack,” which gave every American who contributed to the campaign an opportunity to be selected to attend the convention. Those ten supporters will join Barack backstage tonight. Among them will be Lenny Julius of Emerald Isle, NC. Check out this video about his experiences in the military and why he supports Barack.
Senator John Kerry took to the stage last night with a fiery speech laying out what is at stake in the election. Kerry’s hard-hitting speech left no doubt that he is a strong surrogate for Barack Obama and Joe Biden in this election. Kerry told the audience:
Our mission is to restore America's influence and position in the world. We must use all the weapons in our arsenal, above all, our values. … Today, the call for change is more powerful than ever, and with more seats in Congress, with more people with more passion engaged in our politics, and with a President Obama, we stand on the brink of the greatest opportunity of our generation to move this country forward.
If you missed the speech, you can check it out here:
President Bill Clinton stormed the convention tonight with a powerful speech that left Democrats across America fired up and ready to elect Barack Obama the next President of the United States. As one of the most beloved figures in American politics and a leader in the Democratic Party, President Clinton understands better than anyone the challenges of being Commander-in-Chief, and he resoundingly believes Barack Obama is “ready to lead.”President Clinton led America to years of economic growth, peace, and prosperity, and said he knows Barack Obama will do the same:
Clearly, the job of the next president is to rebuild the American dream and restore America's standing in the world. Barack Obama is ready to lead American and restore American leadership in the world. Barack Obama is ready to honor the oath to preserve, protect, defend the Constitution of the United States. Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States.
This Thursday night, Barack Obama will take to the podium at Invesco Field in Denver to accept the Democratic nomination for president. Supporters in all 50 states are coming together to watch Barack and share the excitement of this historic event. Nearly 6,400 watch parties will be going on across American, from Pennsylvania to Mississippi to the west coast of Oregon. Wherever you live, there’s a watch party going on near you.
Even the traditional “red states” are excited about Barack's speech. There are 22 events planned in Utah, 45 in Arizona, 24 in South Carolina, and 39 in rural Montana. Supporters will celebrate Barack’s nomination together and share their memories of the past 19 months since Barack announced his candidacy.
During the watch parties, supporters will also be busy planning the next few months of grassroots efforts. They’re organizing voter registration drives, canvassing events, and phonebanking parties.
Even if you haven’t been to a campaign event before, the watch parties are a great way to get involved and meet other supporters in your area. So if you can’t make it to Denver for the convention, find a watch party near you – or create your own! – and be a part of the excitement of the 2008 convention.
Just two days from now, on August 28th, Barack will take the stage in Denver to accept the Democratic nomination in front of 75,000 people. However, there are millions more supporters across the country who won’t be able to make it to Denver.
Because the Somerville group of Obama supporters is very active, we have decided to host a huge concert and convention party at Precinct Bar in Union Square in Somerville, Massachusetts. They were the venue for our campaign kick-off party as well, which drew over 200 attendees. This time we’re expecting between 80 and 120 people from all over Boston. We’re going to try for a record turnout.
Jessie says she’s hosting the event because “I want to spread the Obama love, and I didn’t win a trip to Denver, so a convention watching party is the next best thing!”Jessie is happy to host.
I personally wanted to take the lead on managing the event details because I believe that grassroots organizing efforts are at the heart of this campaign, and I want to use my talent for bringing people together, my insanely anal attention to detail, and my overall can't-touch-this excitement about Obama to re-energize, rejuvenate, and re-activate people's passion for the election.
Jessie’s excited to get more people involved in the campaign, and recruit new volunteers in her community.
I hope this party will bring everyone back to what's at the core of this campaign: We are the change.
If, like Jessie, you can’t make it to Denver to see Barack speak on Thursday, you can still be a part of the excitement by finding a Convention Watch Party near you.
8:27 PM (local) -- The second night of the Democratic National Convention concludes with a speech by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Senator Clinton is one of the most groundbreaking candidates ever to run for the Presidency. In her 35 years of public service, Hillary has never given up on her fight for the American people.In her campaign, Hillary inspired millions of women and men with her strength, her courage, and her unyielding commitment to the causes that we all care so deeply about—the hopes and aspirations of working Americans.Hillary has shattered myths and broken barriers and changed America. She has worked tirelessly since June to unify our party behind Barack Obama. And for that we are grateful to her.In her speech, Hillary Clinton will lay out the key choices we face in this campaign - on the economy, on health care, and on the issues that working families are struggling with every single day.
8:15 PM (local) -- Pamella Cash-Roper of North Carolina, one of the ordinary Americans chosen to address the convention, is about to approach the podium. Pamella was forced out of work after she and her husband suffered from severe and costly health issues. The uninsured couple was nearly forced into bankruptcy due to the rising costs of health care. Despite supporting Republicans all her life, Pamella wants to vote for a candidate she can believe in -- Barack Obama.
7:31 PM (local) -- Mark Warner, former governor of Virginia, will address the convention as tonight's keynote in just a few minutes.
Governor Warner's personal story of success in business and government stands as compelling example America at its best. And his progressive accomplishments as Governor of Virginia show what Democrats can do to bring the change this country needs.He also stands as an example of the expanding political map–as Democrats are well positioned to carry Virginia for the first time since 1964, in large part because of the nonpartisan, common-sense leadership of Governor Warner.Governor Warner will focus on the need to create opportunity and invest in the American people—our education, health care, and infrastructure. He knows the way to build a healthy economy is to invest in people, while Senator McCain offers no solutions for the middle-class or to get out of the hole Bush has put us in.
6:17 PM (local) -- In just a few moments, Pauline Beck from Oakland, California will take to the podium and address the Democratic National Convention. Barack first met Pauline in August of 2007, when he lived a day in her life as a home healthcare worker as part of the SEIU's "Walk A Day In My Shoes" program.
Pauline is a single foster mother of two, and also cares for her 2-year-old great-grand-nephew. When Barack shadowed her, he started the day with Pauline's family before moving on to care for her client, John Thornton. At the time, Pauline said "He wanted to get a feel for everything I did. He insisted on doing everything."
Pauline believes that Barack is the best candidate to help America's workers in this troubling economy. Before she goes on, make sure to check out her previous video.
6:08 PM (local) -- You'll soon meet Katherine Marcano of Iowa when she addresses the National Convention. Katherine balances working a full-time job and being a college student, while providing health insurance for her younger sister. Katherine suffered even greater hardship after being displaced by this summer's floods in Iowa.
Barack first met Katherine last month when he visited Iowa to speak with residents about the flood damage they had recently suffered.
Learn more about Katherine's story here.
Tune in now or visit the DNC site to watch a live streaming video of her speech.
5:41 PM (local) -- In a few minutes, you'll meet Robin Golden from Michigan, one of the ordinary Americans chosen to address the convention. Robin will represent just one of the hundreds of workers at the seat-track plant where he works whose job will be shipped overseas to Mexico when the plant closes in November. Robin supports Senator Obama because of his economic plans to rebuild America and help struggling working families."I think my personal experience shows why we need change, why we need Barack Obama's message and him to represent the middle class," Robin says.Read more about Robin's personal journey to the convention here.
5:08 PM (local) -- The next event at the convention is a panel of U.S. Senate Women. We're especially excited about this event, because today is National Women's Equality Day – commemorating 88 years since women gained the right to vote with the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. Eighty-eight years after women gained enfranchisement, there are 16 women in the U.S. Senate – 11 of them Democrats!Today’s speakers include Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D-AR), Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
4:32 PM (local) -- Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, is about to address the convention. Cecile is also the daughter of fomer Governor of Texas Ann Richards.
Planned Parenthood endorsed Barack Obama on July 7, 2008. "The Planned Parenthood Action Fund is proud to endorse Barack Obama for president of the United States," said Action Fund president Cecile Richards when PPFA endorsed Obama. "He is a passionate advocate for women's rights, and has a long and consistent record of standing up for women's health care. As president, he will improve access to quality health care for women, support and protect a woman's right to choose, support comprehensive sex education to keep our young people healthy and safe, and invest in prevention programs, including family planning services and breast cancer screenings."
3:30 PM (local) -- In a few minutes you'll meet David Gipp of North Dakota as he takes the stage to address the Democratic National Convention. A Native American educator, David has spent more than three decades working towards the development of tribal colleges. David is also an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Hunkpapa Lakota (Sioux) Tribe. He will speak about the need for more higher education opportunities for members of tribal nations.
Read more about David's journey to the convention here.
3:00 PM (local) -- The theme to the second day of the 45th Democratic National Convention is "Renewing America’s Promise." Today’s speakers, including Senator Clinton and Governor Warner, will focus on restoring America’s promise, emphasizing Americans’ concerns about the economy, rising healthcare costs and the need to expand educational opportunities for all.Americans are struggling to get by and the failed policies of the last eight years have left an economy out of balance. Barack knows that you can't have a strong economy when you have a weak middle class.Tonight's program will also feature the voices of Americans who share Obama's concerns and support his detailed economic plan to grow the economy, create jobs, and expand opportunity. Throughout the night we'll feature the ordinary citizens who are telling their stories this evening, along with pictures and videos from tonight's program.You can watch a live stream of the night's speeches online at www.DemConvention.com.
Barack Obama's vision and his voice represent the best of America. It is that common American identity, which Barack Obama exemplifies heart and soul, that enables us as Americans to speak with moral authority to all of the people of the world.
The second night of the Democratic National Convention concludes with a speech by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Tune in to CNN or MSNBC or visit the DNC site to watch a live streaming video of her speech
In a few minutes, Mark Warner, former governor of Virginia will take the stage as tonight’s keynote.
Tune in to CNN or MSNBC or visit the DNC site to watch a live streaming video of his speech.
The next event at the convention is a panel of U.S. Senate Women. We're especially excited about this event, because today is National Women's Equality Day – commemorating 88 years since women gained the right to vote with the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. Eighty-eight years after women gained enfranchisement, there are 16 women in the U.S. Senate – 11 of them Democrats!Today’s speakers include Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D-AR), Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). They’ll be taking the stage in just a few minutes. Tune into CNN or MSNBC, or visit the DNC site to watch a live streaming video of the panel.
In a few minutes, you'll meet Robin Golden from Michigan, one of the ordinary Americans chosent to address the convention. Robin will represent just one of the hundreds of workers at the seat-track plant where he works whose job will be shipped overseas to Mexico when the plant closes in November. Robin supports Senator Obama because of his economic plans to rebuild America and help struggling working families.
"I think my personal experience shows why we need change, why we need Barack Obama's message and him to represent the middle class," Robin says.
Read more about Robin's personal journey to the convention here.
Tune in now or visit the DNC site to watch a live streaming video of his speech.
