2008 Democratic Convention Day 4

Day 4 of the Democratic Convention got underway with State legislators and delegates from Colorado speaking to the audience. However they were followed an introductory video of the Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean. The chairman of the Democratic National Convention Howard Dean was introduced via a video to 75,000 plus audience at INVESCO field in Denver, Colorado as the last day of the Democratic Convention began. Dean is a former Governor of Maine and he spoke how far the Democratic Party has come since the 2004 Presidential election. Dean spoke about the Democratic Party being the party for youth who want change and want a government who work for them. Dean outlined a list of reasons why the Democratic Party is the America’s party and why Barack Obama is their president.

Howard Dean spoke about all the accomplishment the Democratic Party made and told the audience how an Obama-Biden ticket is what America needs. Dean spoke about how we don’t need 4 more years of the same and how President Bush & McCain is more of the same. Dean gave an intellectual yet insightful speech in how the grassroots efforts of getting out the vote in 2006, helped the Democratic Party take by the U.S. House and Senate for the first time in a long time. Dean really outlined just how much the Democratic Party has taken back America and how electing Barack Obama is one more step the Democratic Party has to make. Dean laid it out but it lacked the type of energy and excitement that tonight’s event really needed. However it was a good speech into how far the Democratic Party has come since the 2004 Presidential election.

Then a list of songs that got the crowd excited and pumped was played. Majority of them being Motown songs and one from Grammy Award winner India Arie until Georgia Congressman John Lewis came to the stage to speak. Congressman Lewis gave a contribution to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Congressman Lewis spoke about the march on Washington D.C. and how Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” helped to change America. Congressman Lewis laid out how we as Americans can make the dream a reality with Barack Obama as President. Congressman Lewis gave a speech that was righteous in the sense of connecting Obama’s Presidential nomination to the Dream that many fought for 45 years ago. Congressman Lewis really gave a strong yet stimulating speech on why we must march again on November 4 like we have never marched before to elect Senator Barack Obama as the next President of the United States of America.

Congressman Lewis laid it out to how Obama’s nomination is a testimonial to the “Dream” that we fought so hard for 45 years ago. Then Congressman Lewis introduced a video tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the “I Have A Dream” speech. It was a very touching video that showcased images of the speech and the times of 1968 that Dr. King and others faced when this speech was given to the audience. It outlined King’s philosophy and how America could overcome with his philosophy. It showcased just how important Dr. King was to our society and how his “I Have A Dream” speech changed America. The audience was touched by the video as the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King came to speech, Reverend Bernice King. Bernice spoke about us witnessing the dream come alive tonight as Barack Obama accepts the Democratic Presidential nomination. Bernice spoke about how the dream is now a reality and how they are leading the way to continue to dream.

Bernice than introduced her brother Dr. Martin Luther King III, the first son of Dr. King. He spoke of how proud his father would be of Barack Obama’s nomination. King III spoke about all of us being the children of the “Dream” and how we need a great America by electing Barack Obama. King III spoke how we can be a great democracy and the goals America needs to take besides just casting a vote. King III spoke about commemorating the hope and faith to fight injustices, to fight poverty and to do well in the world. King III spoke about how what the dream really is and what it really meant in terms of being great. King III said we still Barack Obama before leaving the stage but a part of me really was shocked about the audience response. It seemed as if the audience couldn’t really get into the speeches and that everyone was there just to hear Barack Obama accept the nomination.

Then a video about “Change” came on that excited the crowd to a degree. It validated “The Need for Change” as Obama and so many supporting Obama has said. Then more music was played but it just seemed as if the audience was not very excited for the election. The Democratic Party just seemed flat like as if they are preserving their energy for Barack Obama. Nonetheless the stage looked just right and the evening was starting to get set in just the right way in terms of an evening that looked family like for those watching at home but those in the stadium, it was like a rock concert type of atmosphere. The crowd’s momentum was starting to build up and the stage was set for what should be a momentous occasion filled. Then another video of Barack Obama came on where Obama spoke about not being a perfect person and how he won’t be a perfect President but how he will open the doors of government to the people.

The video showcased just how Obama wanted to excite and inspire the people to do more in terms of changing of government. It was a real touching and yet true speech given by Obama on people taking responsibility to change government, to change America and take by America for the people by people helping to inspire, helping to work, and helping others to get involved. Obama spoke about all of us getting involved and all of us not walking away from Government or walking away when government is not right. Then the song “Take you there” came on and the crowd danced to it. INVESCO field had a flare about it that something special was about to happen as Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” song came out. It is truly signed, sealed and delivered now that Barack Obama will be the next Democratic Presidential nominee and perhaps the next President of the United States of America come this November.

It is no denying it now that Obama has a lot of backers. Then Will.I.Am and John Legend performed the song “Yes We Can” for the audience. The audience got into it and started chanting “Yes We Can” and it was a real special moment as jumbo screens showed Obama giving the speech on it. The audience waved their American flags and yelled “Yes We Can” as John Legend and Will.I.Am sung for the audience. It was a surreal moment yet all so true that change is going to come in America regardless if you are a Democrat or a Republican. “Yes We Can” was the chant that the audience gave over and over but it was what was needed to energize the crowd. The crowd was accepted and was ready to change America so that they could be victorious in 2009. “Yes We Can” signs, American flags, and Barack Obama signs continued to wave as the crowd cheered “Yes We Can”. Then Ray Rivera, Colorado Director of the Barack Obama Campaign came out and asked everyone to text DNC to 62262 to anyone with a message telling others to support Barack Obama and the Democratic Party. Rivera told the audience they can stay connected as well as get involved with the campaign and get others involved by doing this. It is a creative and intelligent way to get the technology age involved in politics. So Obama is a cut above the rest in trying to get everyone connected to his message and to the dream of changing America.

What followed was another Obama video talking about Obama’s work on the Southside of Chicago before “When You Wish Upon a Star” by Earth, Wind and Fire came on. Everyone loves Earth, Wind and Fire and it was shown as nearly everyone danced to the song. Country music star Sheryl Crow performed next and she gave a good performance but no matter how good the performance was, the audience just didn’t give the good resounding cheer expected from a large audience. The song performed by Cheryl Crow “I Change was do us good” was a good message with a great hook, chorus, and melody. Cheryl Crow than performed “Out of Our Hands” which was inspired by the Dela Lama and it was delivered just right. It had another real yet, powerful and insightful video.

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine came to speak. He was considered Obama’s Vice Presidential pick but clearly he didn’t give the type of speech nearly worthy of a Vice Presidential pick. Governor Kaine gave a good speech that highlighted change and why we needed since our current President has allowed Washington spending to get out of control. Governor Kaine highlighted how Barack Obama and Joe Biden have been fighting for Americans for years by putting their faith and service first in all things they do. Governor Kaine gave a good speech but it was not better than Biden’s and it was way below Senator Bayh’s speech which was better than Biden’s. Governor Kaine gave a good speech that the people of Virginia could be proud of. Governor Kaine asked us to put faith into action and the audience said they would which is what we have to do to make change really happen. We have to put faith into action. We have to tell mountains to move and they will move.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson took the stage next and he received a good cheer from the crowd. He greeted the audience in Spanish and welcomed the crowd to the west before going on the attack against John McCain. Governor Richardson attacked the price John McCain pays for shoes as well as the whole celebrity status of Obama that McCain and the Republican Party is trying to label Obama as. Governor Richardson got the crowd involved in his speech and it got the crowd excited. Governor Richardson really let loose on John McCain and his Presidency in terms of it leading to 4 more years of the same and making sure the status quo continues to prevail. Governor Richardson was a wonderful attack dog as he outlined just why Obama and Biden are right for women, children and men all across America. Governor Richardson gave a good speech about why Obama should be President and why America will be better with Obama as President. It was an expressive but not overwhelming speech.

Then a video on Obama was shown before Stevie Wonder himself took the stage to perform and got the crowd chanting “Yes We Can”. It was a good performance that the crowd loved and rejoiced in. Stevie even performed “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” live at INVESCO field. It really symbolized just how special this evening was. Stevie dedicated this song to the future President of the United States of America and First Lady. Stevie really threw down and it made tonight’s event even more real and more special since Barack’s theme song is “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” It is clear that Obama and the Democratic Party has staged this convention well as it builds up and leads up to Obama’s acceptance speech. Even the video that followed Stevie’s performance about healthcare and how a young lady lost her mother to cancer as well as how Obama lost his and how America’s healthcare system is broken. Obama’s video was touching in the sense that many people worry more about mounting healthcare bills than living. The young lady in the video said it best that without hope she doesn’t know where she would be after losing her mother.

That’s when Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Vice President of the United States of America as well as 2000 Democratic Presidential nominee Al Gore took the stage to standing ovation and a crowd waving small American flags. The crowd was surely enthused for Gore. Gore spoke about us seizing this opportunity to change America. Gore spoke about the 2000 Presidential election and how it has set America off on a course of wrong doing. Then Gore went out on the attack to connect Bush-Cheney administration to Senator John McCain. Gore spoke about how McCain will be more of the same. Gore spoke about how Obama has told us what he is going to do and he explained why this election is so close because the status quo is afraid of what Barack Obama will do. Gore really laid out what future lays ahead for the next President of the United States of America to face.

Then Gore spoke about the Climate Challenge and how the next President has to address several key issues regarding the environment and saving it. Gore spoke about how McCain is not ready to handle the Climate Challenge and that means he is not ready to deal with the economy and soaring gas prices. Gore went on and on about the environment, connecting it to how the Bush administration has made global warming worse by not acting to protect the environment. Gore spoke of how the Republican Party has failed the American people and the world on issue after issue and encouraged us to fight back against the status quo. Gore spoke about the youth vote and how the election is not close among the youth vote but the reality is that more youth have voted for Democrats than Republicans in the past few Presidential elections but still is has not produced a Democratic victory in November.

However Gore’s reference to the youth vote was an important one for us. Gore than connected Abraham Lincoln to Barack Obama and how the two are almost similar in so many ways in their paths to the White House. Gore spoke of how Obama’s candidacy is that historical moment America needs yet again. Gore said the inconvenient truth is what is needed if America is going to have a better future. Gore spoke of a better future and Obama will enable us as America’s to speak to the world about being high morals of hope and prosperity throughout the world. Gore gave an outstanding speech that made me respect him for telling us to pray with Obama at the end of the convention when the benediction is given and turn that pray into us getting out there and working to make a change in America like we need to do. The crowd cheered as “Let the Sunshine Come In” came on and the audience cheered. Then the audience went into “Yes We Can” chants but not all in the audience participated.

Just an hour away from what will be a historic night when Illinois United States Senator and the 2008 Democratic Presidential nominee accepts the nomination of the Democratic Party thus forever becoming engraved in history books as the first African American and minority candidate to win a major party endorsement. The 45th Anniversary of the “I Have A Dream” Speech is the night for which the Dream will be heard loud and clear. Then Michael McDonald gave a performance for all those who want change and want to take their country back. Then Susan Eisenhower, the granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower spoke and a tribute to retired Generals took place.

Vice Presidential Joe Biden came out and the crowd cheered loudly but the affect at home didn’t seem like it was real loud. Biden spoke about this is what Democrats meant about an open convention. Biden said that this is what it is all about. Biden spoke about the change America needs and why we are in this fight which is to get Barack Obama elected to the Presidency of the United States of America. The crowd cheered for Joe as he left the stage and said that we are going to hear from the ordinary people of the United States of America. Roy Gross of Taylor, Michigan was one of the first people to speak and he spoke about why we need a new economy and how Obama will help the economy. One ordinary person after another came up and spoke about Obama and what type of President he will be. The crowd cheered each person who spoke about why they got involved with the Obama campaign. The true American stories were told in their own voices and the crowd just cheered each one as loudly as they could.

Then the song “Born in the USA” came on and the crowd stood and rocked to the song as American flags both large and small waved throughout the packed crowd. It was now officially a rock concert in the making as the crowd was excited and truly ready to rock the house as soon as Obama takes the stage. More music was played such as “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” until Illinois Senior United States Senator Dick Durbin came to speak, one of the first people to endorse Obama besides Oprah Winfrey, took the stage. Senator Durbin laid the ground work of Obama’s journey and how Obama’s dreams and hopes have encouraged the rest of America’s hopes and dreams. Senator Durbin spoke about Obama bringing a message of hope and change. Senator Durbin spoke about the young people who worked night and day to help Obama get elected and the looks on the elderly faces of hope in this great nation again.

Senator Durbin gave a speech that opened the door to how we as Americans look at Obama and his candidacy. Senator Durbin laid out the road map of what Barack Obama knows and why Senator Obama should be the President of the United States of America. Senator Durbin got the crowd all pumped to chant “Yes We Can” right before he took an exit stage left. Then a video came on introducing Senator Barack Obama and who he is as a person and how Obama has come to be who he is. Senator Obama’s video was very enlightening and touching but it is the same story that we have heard over and over again as to who he is and what he stands for. However a part of Obama’s historical story sounds too perfect but regardless of how perfect Obama’s story is, it is a story that is America’s story and many of us can relate to Obama’s video. Although it was long, it was real and it was Barack Obama reintroducing himself and his story to America.

The video ended the audience cheered and went wild holding up signs that read change and waving flags as perhaps the next President of the United States of America Barack Obama took the stage and went to the podium. The crowd was excited and even some in the audience had tears in their eyes and were touched by this moment. Senator Obama thanked the crowd over and over again before he got into his speech. The crowd cheered just like they cheered for former President Bill Clinton and they chanted Obama, Obama as well as “Yes We Can” over and over again. Then Obama proceeded to thank Chairman Dean, his friend Senator Durbin and to all of America, he accepted the Democratic nomination for the Presidency of the United States of America. Obama thanked all the historical challengers and really went out to thank Senator Hillary Clinton for traveling the farthest in this journey and he thanked President Clinton as well as Senator Ted Kennedy along with Vice President Joe Biden. The crowd cheered with excitement for this moment.

Senator Obama thanked his wife, Michelle Obama. He referred to her as the love of his life and said that he was proud of his daughters. Obama referred back to 4 years ago when he shared his story with America right here at the Democratic Convention. Obama spoke about the pursuit of dreams and promises. Obama spoke about the defining moment in America’s history and then proceeded to the troubles that ordinary Americans are facing each day. He said all these problems are not governments’ problem to begin with but the failure to respond is a failure of the broken politics in America. Obama spoke of stories that he heard on the campaign trail and related them back to ordinary people. Obama said that Democrats, Republicans and Independents need to say enough. This moment, this election, is our chance to keep the 21st century alive. The crowd listened to Obama but a sense from the crowd was that they were not as rocking as expected.

Senator Obama told the crowd and the American people to say enough is enough. 8 years of failure is enough than Obama went on to commend McCain on his service to his country. Then Obama proceeded to attack John McCain’s voting record and went on the attack by saying that he is not willing to take a 10% chance on change. Obama attacked McCain on issues such as health care, education, and social security as well as attacked McCain’s economic policies as well as his former advisor Phil Gramm. Obama really went after McCain but it was the same old attacks about McCain that were heard previously. Obama went on to say that he is not going to say that McCain doesn’t care but he is going to say that McCain doesn’t know. Obama said McCain doesn’t get it. Obama went on to attack McCain harder and harder as his speech went on. Just letting it rip into McCain and telling the American people that it is time for them to own their failure and it is time to change America. The crowd stood after that comment.

Then Obama went on to talk about what Democrats believe in and how we measure progress. Obama made another reference to Bill Clinton’s presidency. Obama then proceeded to connect the average American to the dream that we live for in America and the promise that we live for in America. He connected his family ties to America’s military and America’s working class. Obama went on connecting story after story to his background and his lifestyle to the stories of ordinary Americans. Obama spoke about hard work and perseverance and what the American Dream really means to him as well as his grandmother. Obama said that tonight is his grandmother’s night as well. Obama said that his family is his heroes and said it is on behalf of them that he plans to win the Presidency of the United States of America.

Obama spoke about what government should be doing and what government isn’t doing. Obama spoke of how our government should work for us and not against us. Obama spoke about the promise of America and how we should rise and fall as one America. Obama spoke of the change we need right now and the promise we need to keep. Then Obama proceeded to explain what the change of his Presidency will be and what it will mean. Obama went on to explain changing the tax codes for small businesses and companies who keep their jobs in America and don’t ship it overseas. Obama spoke of cutting taxes on the middle class. Obama spoke about ending our dependency on oil in the Middle East in 10 years. Obama went on to attack McCain and him being in Washington for 26 years of the failed oil and energy policies in Washington.

Obama went on to explain to the American people what he will do as President but he failed to tell how it will happen and where the money will come from. Obama spoke about new jobs and clean energy and the crowd cheered. Obama spoke about now not being the time for small plans but big plans. Obama spoke about education being world class and making sure every child has an opportunity to get a world class education. Obama spoke about kids doing service for America and being given scholarships for a higher education or at least receiving assistance for it. Obama went on to speak about health care and how everyone will be able to afford it. Obama gave the same old rhetoric that he has given on previous stumps and stops across America as the crowd cheered but not as loudly as expected.

Obama spoke about now being the time for equal pay at work because he wants his daughters to have the exact same opportunities as everyone else’s sons and daughters. Then Obama finally said how he will pay for all these programs and how he will eliminate programs that don’t work and fixing those that don’t work well and making them better. Obama said he would go through America’s federal budget line by line to create new programs and eliminate old ones that are wasting tax prayer’s dollars. Senator Obama went on to speak about individual responsibility and moral responsibility before going on to say he is ready to debate John McCain on who has the temperate to be commander in chief that’s the debate he is ready to have. Obama spoke about how he opposed the war in Iraq and why we needed to take out Osama Bin Laden. Obama really attacked McCain for saying that he will go to the gates of hell to get Bin Laden but wont’ even go to the caves where Bin Laden stays.

Obama attacked John McCain over and over again but trying to connect Bush to McCain and vice versa. Obama spoke about the change that we need and made reference to Roosevelt and Kennedy and how Democrats know how to protect America and how Democrats and Republicans have protected this nation. Obama spoke about how as Democrats we will rebuild this nation and how he will only send our troops to war wisely and how he will end the war in Iraq responsibly. Obama gave how he will restore America’s moral standing and the crowd stood and cheered him on. Obama was in a rear form but I just didn’t feel the shockwaves. Obama went on to say we need to stop attacking anyone’s patriotism and we need to stop attacking people for disagreeing.

The crowd cheered “USA” as Obama delivered one of his famous lines of “We are not Blue states, Red states but we are the United States of America.” Obama went on to say that we all put our country first John McCain. Obama went on to say that we may disagree on certain things but we can agree to fight against certain injustices or improper things. Obama laid out how we can unite by finding a common means to get things right. Obama kept it real by saying that we disagree but we can find commonality. Obama went talk about the negative attacks and how they are simply scare tactics of old ideas. Obama said all across America something is stirring and what the naysayers don’t understand, this election is not about me but it is about you. Obama said for 18 long months you have stood up and said that you understand that change doesn’t come from Washington but it comes to Washington.

Obama said that this is one of those moments and said he believe that the change we need is coming. He spoke about what he has done for the state of Illinois and in Washington D.C. by passing legislation. Obama spoke about where he sees change at in terms of youth voters, the elderly, Republicans voting for a Democrat, etc. Obama said what makes us rich, strong, and the world coming to our shores is the American spirit that is keeps us going and that promise which is our greatest inheritance. Obama made reference to women reaching for the ballot and those crossing picket lines. Then he proceeded to talk about the 45th Anniversary of the “I Have A Dream” speech and how in America our destiny is late and how we can’t walk alone but we have to walk ahead and we cannot turn back. Obama voice raised and he laid out that America we cannot turn back and said we must promise to march on and hold firmly to that scripture.

And it was done, the crowd cheered but it still didn’t feel like the crowd was really loud enough and excited although many cheered and waved their American flags and change signs as Obama waved to the crowd. Then Barack Obama was joined by his wife and kids as well as Joe Biden and his family and other family members. It was Obama’s night and he gave a good speech but not one of his best speeches. Obama laid his strengths and weaknesses out there only to tell McCain to bring it on. The fireworks came out and the graffiti was dropped cementing Obama’s legacy for now as the head of the Democratic Party. Thus the 2008 Democratic National Convention ended and the stage was set for an Obama-Biden ticket to challenge any Republican ticket that McCain puts together either tonight or tomorrow. It is Obama’s time to shine and shine he did.