2008 Democratic Convention Day 1

The Democratic Convention is underway and as they prepare to try to do unite the party, it is clear that the big wigs of the Democratic Party will be out in full force and all the celebrities that support the Democratic Party or at least Barack Obama’s Presidential candidacy are out in Denver, Colorado. John Legend, a Grammy award winner singer got the convention started off right as he sung a very touching song that thrilled the crowd. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi set the tone for the big name speakers of the Democratic Party by setting out the agenda of progress that the Democrats in Congress have made since 2006.

Pelosi spoke of how the Democratic Party created legislation that raised minimum wage, saved people’s houses, created college funding for soldiers who want to go back to school and passed legislation that hasn’t been done in several years. Pelosi went to map out how and why she supports Barack Obama for President and why all Democrats should support Obama. Pelosi spoke of how Barack Obama was right and John McCain was wrong on issues such as the Iraq war, Bush tax cuts, and a whole list of other things. As I watched Pelosi speak, I must say that I became tired because Pelosi has a dry voice. Pelosi was did not really excite the crowd but a tribute to former President Jimmy Carter was touching for the crowd.

The crowd became excited about Carter’s words on why Obama should to be elected the next President of the United States of America. Carter spoke how the tragedy and the rebuilding of New Orleans and other areas hit by Hurricane Katrina is reason enough why we can’t afford to keep a Republican in office. We need a Democrat and Barack Obama is that Democrat who can help us rebuild New Orleans and other areas hit by Hurricane Katrina. It is clear that Carter will always be loved the Democratic Party. What followed Carter’s Tribute video was a standing ovation as President Carter and his wife Rosalind walked out to be greeted by a crowd so welcoming and encouraging for the Carters.

The next Generation of leadership in America took the stage next as Illinois United States Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. took the stage and delivered a speech to encourage as well as reinsure voters that Barack Obama is the leader that America needs for the Presidency as the United States of America. Jackson Jr. who truth be told is planning not a Chicago mayoral bid but is planning a gubernatorial bid since Senator Dick Durbin isn’t leaving office any time soon. Then again, if Senator Obama wins the Presidency than you might see Jackson Jr. make a real run for United States Senate? Jackson Jr. delivered a thought profounding and reviving speech that got a standing ovation.

Jesse Jackson Jr. gave one of the better speeches tonight that can only be compared to perhaps future First Lady Michelle Obama. Jackson Jr. introduced the crowd to who really Obama is in terms of how he worked as Senator in Illinois to help many families in Illinois. Jackson Jr. spoke on how Obama has always remained humble throughout the time they have known each other and how an Obama Presidency is a part of the fulfilling the dream that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of in his “I Have A Dream” Speech. Jackson Jr. really delivered a speech that connected Obama’s candidacy to the Civil Rights movement and vice versa by showcasing how Obama’s candidacy validates the Civil Rights movement while at the same time, showcasing how the Civil Rights movement paved the way for Obama.

Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of former Presidential great John F. Kennedy introduced a tribute video to her uncle Massachusetts United States Senator Edward (Ted) M. Kennedy. Caroline spoke of how Obama’s candidacy has inspired many people like her father’s Presidential candidacy inspired so many. She said that Obama’s candidacy has never had someone inspire her like her father has inspired her until now. She said she does now because Barack Obama inspires her. Caroline Kennedy went on to speak about her uncle Teddy and how he has fought for so many Americans in terms of children’s health care, Medicare for the seniors, and education funding. Kennedy really outlined how Edward Kennedy’s life in the United States Senate has helped make the American Dream a reality for many families. Caroline spoke of how Edward Kennedy is everyone’s Senator. Caroline Kennedy spoke how family oriented Edward Kennedy is and how his wife, Vickie and he have taught all of us about dignity, courage and honor. She left off by saying that Barack Obama will have no greater ally and fighter in the United States Senate than Ted Kennedy.

The Edward Kennedy tribute video was very touching in the sense that it showcased Kennedy’s family ties as well as his great accomplishments as a fighter for the people on various issues from service programs, education, health care, and proper funding for the troops when in war. Kennedy’s tribute video really showcased just how much Edward Kennedy has had to overcome in order to help and touch so many people’s lives. Regardless of how some might view Edward Kennedy, it is no denying that Kennedy is a political figure for the generations. Then Senator Kennedy came out to greet a standing ovation crowd that was touched by the video and Senator Kennedy thanked the crowd as they stood and applauded him. Senator Kennedy went on to thank the crowd and became touched by the ovation but went on thank Caroline. Senator Kennedy told the crowd that he was thankful for being here and said nothing was going to keep him from being at this special occasion tonight. Kennedy told the crowd that he is here to stand with the crowd to elect Barack Obama as the next President of the United States of America and to see a change in America.

Senator Ted Kennedy spoke of how America will be a better country and he promised that next January he will be on the floor of the United States Senate fighting for the people. Kennedy spoke of how this is a season of hope which is the cause of his life and will guarantee all Americans universal health care as a fundamental right and not a privilege. Kennedy said we can meet these challenges with Barack Obama and “Yes we can and Yes we will.” He said Barack Obama will close the book on race against race and gay against straight. Senator Kennedy spoke of how as Commander in Chief, Barack Obama, will understand just when to send our young men and women to war and will send them with the proper equipment necessary to win a war. Kennedy gave an exciting speech showcasing just how America could be great again with Obama as the President. Kennedy spoke of how his brother JFK wanted people to go the moon and how the American people rose to the occasion to help America scale to heights such as putting a flag on the moon. Kennedy said that there is a new wave of change that if we change our compass we can renew of country in a direction. Kennedy said that Dream will live on and hope becomes renewed. After Kennedy spoke, the played the song, “Still the One” and the crowd claimed and cheered as Ted Kennedy walked off the stage.

In fact many in the crowd broke out in tears as Kennedy left the stage and gave a speech that spoke of why Obama should be elected and why America will change with Obama as President. Kennedy wanted to be in Denver and showed just how much guts and glory he has by defying his doctors’ wishes who said he shouldn’t go and even his wife’s wishes who wanted him to stay at home. Kennedy’s message is one that will be remembered because he talked about the future and not the past. Kennedy’s speech was very thought provoking and exciting for all in the audience as well as all at home to see.

As the convention progressed into the night, Iowa United States Senator Tom Harkin introduced former Republican United States Iowa Congressman Jim Leach. Jim Leach is a moderate Republican who supports Obama’s candidacy and believes that he is the best choice for President. Leach job as a speaker for the Obama candidacy and the Democratic Party was to show that this year’s Presidential election is not about party affiliation but it is about what’s right for America and how America can change. Leach spoke about how he has a deep respect for his political party but he is here to revive the American family values that made America great. Leach speech spoke about the platform of Obama’s call for change and how it is a renewal in change that will help America’s future. He went on to speak about the four debates that have taken place in America. Leach outlined how these four debates have shaped America’s history and how Democrats and Republicans have been a part of each debate.

Leach’s speech lacked luster but it was an intelligent speech that outlined just how important Obama’s candidacy means to America’s unity. It really wasn’t a great thought provoking speech that wowed the crowd but it was too over the top in terms of being filled with too much substance and history that many were not expecting. After Leach, Missouri United States Senator Claire McCaskill was introduced to the crowd by her kids. Senator McCaskill went on to speak about her state of Missouri is not a red or blue state but a proud member of the United States of America. Senator Claire McCaskill went on to speak about American stories. She outlined her and her husband’s story as well as Michelle and Barack’s story being an American story. Senator McCaskill spoke about how these dreams are America’s dream. Senator McCaskill spoke about how the American people need to use their common sense to elect Barack Obama.

Senator McCaskill made a clear statement on why Obama should be elected President and why America can’t afford to have four more years of Bush with John McCain as President. Senator McCaskill spoke about how McCain will be leading a third term for Bush polices. Senator McCaskill’s speech highlighted how Obama would renew many American’s hopes and dreams in America. Senator McCaskill speech was good and clear on why America can’t afford to vote for anyone besides Barack Obama. Following Senator McCaskill’s speech was a video tribute about Michelle Obama. The video was led off by Michelle Obama’s mother voice who spoke on who her daughter really was. Michelle’s husband Barack spoke on how they started dating, her brother spoke about her connection to their father, and her mother as well as others speak about how Michelle was a caring person to everyone and how this girl who grew up on the Southside of Chicago never forgot where she came from. They highlighted Michelle’s community involvement and how her compassion came from her father in the sense that she always reached out to others and made others feel welcome. Michelle was on the video speaking about her father and how she wants her father’s legacy of compassion and view of the world to live on through her daughters. Michelle’s mother went on to say that when Michelle was little Michelle looked up to her and her husband but now she looks up to Michelle and hopes that America will look up to her daughter Michelle Obama.

Following the video tribute, Craig Robison, Michelle’s big brother really introduced the audience to his little sister. He spoke of what type of little sister she is and what type of person she is and has become but most of all what type of First Lady she will be. Craig spoke on who the real Michelle Obama is and just what type of person she has really become in the sense of growing up remembering every episode of the Brady Bunch despite them sharing one hour of television a night. Craig laid the ground work for who Michelle was a kid and how growing with Michelle outlined what type of person Michelle really is in terms of always caring about the little people, the average people and those who needed a fighter or a pick me up. Craig was encouraged by Michelle to go back to his first love of teaching and coaching. Craig is now the head basketball coach of the Oregon State Beavers College Basketball team. Craig gave an insightful speech on who Barack and Michelle is but most of all who Michelle Obama is and how she will be as the nation’s First Lady.

What followed next was a standing ovation by the crowd as big brother Craig introduced Michelle Obama to the audience, as the held placards with Michelle’s name on it. The crowd cheered for Michelle and as she stood at the podium overwhelmed with joy and happiness. Michelle said that for Barack running for President, it is nothing compared to when he played against Craig in that game of basketball. Michelle went on to thank her big brother and her mother as well as acknowledged the presence of her father watching over their family for all these years. Michelle spoke of how she is as a sister, a daughter, a mother and a wife is why this journey for her husband Barack to become President is not just a fight for her family but it is a fight for America’s future. Michelle gave details of her father’s struggles of illness and how her mother and father poured everything into her and her brother to have a better future. Michelle spoke of the American dream endures.

Michelle outlined how her family and Barack’s family were the same despite him growing up way across the country in Hawaii. She showcased how they are one of the same and shared the same values of treating each man the same despite if you know them or not. Michelle really introduced many Americans to not only who she is but who her husband is. Michelle showcased how he sacrificed to give back to the underprivileged. Michelle showed how she and Barack’s belief as well as others who believe that you can make it if you try is something that many of the families that Barack helped on the Southside of Chicago had faith in. Michelle spoke of the great American story and she gave detail after detail of who Michelle is and who her husband is. She spoke of how we celebrate two anniversaries because the American stories of so many who fought for us to have this piece of the America Dream. The anniversaries of the rights for women to vote and Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Michelle really brought it home in terms of trying to touch the military families, teachers, Hillary Clinton supporters and Joe Biden supporters so that many can relate to the Obama’s in the same way they relate to the situations and people she mentioned. Michelle spoke about why and how she loved this country.

Michelle spoke about how and why she left a job with a powerful law firm in order to give back to this country and to encourage youth to have hope. Michelle gave detail after detail of how her husband is an average American who has given back to the American people each step of the way throughout his life. She spoke of why he is running and how his candidacy uplifts and encourages every American. Michelle gave substance to the Obama’s lifestyle and spoke on how Barack will achieve all these goals by us coming together as one to make America and the world better. Michelle spoke about how despite the differences, we are all Americans who have common values and a common purpose to want nothing but the best for America and the world. Michelle spoke about how the Barack Obama she knows today is the same man she fall in love with several years ago. She gave a touching story about how Barack’s love for their daughters is what encourages her many nights. She spoke of how we as Americans will listen to her hopes instead of our fears and this time will stop doubting and start encouraging our dreams.

Michelle went on to give a speech out of her father’s memory and the dreams of those who came before to elect Barack Obama as the President of the United States of America. It was a real heart-warming and touching speech that brought many in the crowd to tears and even some at home to tears. At one point during the speech it seem as if Michelle was fighting back tears herself. After Michelle finished the song “Isn’t she Lovely” by Stevie Wonder played as Michelle’s and Barack’s daughters came out to join their mother on stage. As the waved to the audience, the crowd continued to cheer. Then Barack Obama greeted the audience via satellite at the convention. Obama was in Kansas City, Missouri as he thanked his wife and told the crowd that now you understand why I had to ask her out so many times. Barack went on to say that you want a President that is persisting. Barack was watching the video in the home of a Kansas City family as he spoke to his daughters and asked his daughters how they felt about their mother’s speech. Barack referred to his wife as well as his daughters as sweetie and he told each of them he loved them.

Barack and Michelle really showed that they are an average family who puts family first and who both love and care for their daughters like any mother and father should have for their kids. I commend the Obama’s for sharing their story and for their sacrifices to society. America will be better because of the Obama’s contributions to society. As day one wrapped up for the Democratic Convention, I felt a sense of realness about the Democratic Party for the first time since the 1992 and 1996 convention. While I loved the keynote speeches in 2000 and the Vice Presidential speech in 2004 as well as Al Gore’s acceptance in 2000, the overall conventions in 2000 and 2004 lacked a realness about it. Nonetheless, the Democrats didn’t hammer home tonight the attacks on McCain and Bush or the attacks on the Republican Party like many in the news media wanted them to or many thought they would. However I love the fact they didn’t. The Democrats next three days should be about hope and change. The Democrats needs to speak more about why Obama should be the next President, why America will be better with an Obama Presidency than a McCain Presidency and they need to give more detail to who Obama is and what type of politician as well as person he is in terms of helping the American people on key political issues as well as on a daily basis. The Democratic Party need to stay above the negativity and highlight the good about being a Democrat and why the American people should elect Democrats across America so that an Obama presidency can go a whole lot smoother. It is clear that tonight’s image was about introducing or re-introducing the Obama’s to the American people and how the Obama’s are just like any other family in terms of the values and morals they share with the rest of America.

I can’t wait to see Day 2 which should be real good since Senator Hillary Clinton will be on the stage speaking on women’s suffrage and how her candidacy for President benefited from it as well as why Obama will be a great President and what American needs. Also former Virginia Governor Mark Warner, the keynote speaker for the convention, who is currently running for United States Senator in Virginia will also speak about America and the Democratic dream for the American people as well as why Obama embodies that dream that we as American’s want for us as a nation.

References:

Kennedy electrifies Democratic convention with appearance http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/25/ted.kennedy/

Ailing Kennedy refuses to miss big event http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-08-25-kennedy-speech_N.htm

Michelle Obama Shows Softer Side at Convention Speech http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/08/25/michelle-obama-stresses-her-roots-in-convention-speech/

Michelle Obama shows her husband's personal side http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hf_pgZXQlrh90mYT2e7tcRr9AEhgD92PM5BG0

Obama Lays Out Democratic Convention Week http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/08/obama-lays-out.html

Michelle Obama reflects on values, upbringing http://www.denverpost.com/dnc/ci_10301522

Obama Hopes Speech Shows Voters "What He Believes" http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/08/25/politics/fromtheroad/entry4383495.shtml

Analysis: On cue, Kennedy the draw at convention http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iz5aOWWfseyXNcz4qdinL0ZmqdywD92PN2BO0

Edward Kennedy appearance has Democrats near tears http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN2447753320080826

Michelle Obama's Brother Talks Family http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/25/eveningnews/main4383578.shtml

Democractic convention: Michelle Obama is just like you http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24242990-5012572,00.html

Obama will be 'extraordinary president,' his wife vows http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hAupp4DWI_tw9o5WzpfVQI6T0pKA

Quotes from the U.S. Democratic convention http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2008/08/26/america/OUKWD-UK-USA-POLITICS-QUOTES.php

Legend debuting song at Democratic convention http://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSN2541638420080825

McCaskill: 'A ringside seat to the real America' http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-08-25-mccaskill_N.htm

McCaskill in Focus at DNC http://www.myfoxstl.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7285589&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

Pelosi attacks 'failed Republican path' http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-08-25-pelosi-speech_N.htm

Pelosi goes after John McCain -- and the crowd joins in http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/08/pelosi-goes-after-john-mccain.html

Jackson Jr.: Dem convention is 'historic' http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/08/25/Jackson_Jr_Dem_convention_is_historic/UPI-49751219685494/

Jackson: Obama is the leader we need right now http://www.necn.com/Boston/Politics/Jackson-Obama-is-the-leader-we-need-right-now/1219713056.html