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Wednesday Wednesday is the day we formally nominate Barack Obama and Joe Biden!
At our delegation breakfast we heard Senator Amy Klobucher of Minnesota and Mayor Ray Nagel of New Orleans. Both were powerful speakers and really a great way to start the day. DNC Committeeman Wayne Kinney of Bend asked each delegate to sign the necessary paperwork for the selection of the nominee by 4 PM.
At the AFSCME caucus it was headline day! Rep Steny Hoyer and Rep Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii, and Senator Harry Reid spoke. But the best was the speech by Washington Governor Chris Griegoire.
We arrived at the Pepsi Center well ahead of the crowd to avoid the long line of security.
The first order of business was the formal election of the delegates of Barack Obama as the nominee for President. The roll call of states was interesting as we all knew there was a plan, but not sure how it would play out. California passed when their name was called. They had some 400 votes. Then when Illinois was called, they too passed. It was disappointing that in the Pepsi Center we could not see the vote counts on the screen. A couple of delegates used their Blackberry to see if they could get a count. Senator Wyden was poised to give Oregon’s vote surrounded by former Gov. Barbara Roberts, Democratic Party of Oregon Chair Meredith Wood Smith, Labor Commission Brad Avakian, Superintendent Susan Castillo, Congresswoman Darlene Hooley and many of the Oregon delegation. But when Nevada cast their votes the secretary then called on Illinois who passed to New York and Senator Clinton took the microphone and asked that the nomination be declared unanimous for Senator Obama. Every person in the audience went wild. We finally had a nominee! It was a great moment! The Democratic Party is truly united!
Later in the day former President Clinton took the stage. His speech was powerful. He made a very convincing argument that Barack Obama was ready to be President and had his full support!
John Kerry addressed the audience. It was again a call to elect Barack Obama and the administration of John McCain would be four more years of the same.
The nomination and election of Senator Joe Biden was short and sweet. Senator Biden was introduced by his son, Beau. There was not a dry eye in the room! Joe Biden had the audience in the palm of his hand. And then his wife, Jill, joined him on the stage and introduced Barack Obama. The crowd went wild. We are ready for tomorrow night!
Jill
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Monday and Tuesday We had a little problem with the email box on the laptop computer, but I think it is fixed now.
Monday was a long day. We started at 7:30 am with a delegation breakfast. Senator Ron Wyden brought his family. The Senator spoke to the group followed by Rep Earl Blumenauer. Bob was lucky to receive a credential to the Pepsi Center, so we have more pictures.
We arrived at the Pepsi Center around 2 pm and got through security in record time. The speakers were fantastic! Rep Jesse Jackson from Illinois, Maya Soetero-Ng, Senator Obama’s sister, Caroline Kennedy, Craig Robinson, brother of Michelle Obama and many others. The highlight of the evening was the tribute to Senator Kennedy. The senator walked onto the stage to the great delight of every person in the room. His speech was out of this world. There was not a dry eye in the room. Secretary of State Bill Bradbury and Rep Earl Blumenauer seemed especially taken with the speech. I think everyone felt it might be the last time we see Senator Kennedy.
Then, Craig Robinson introduced his sister, Michelle. Of course the Oregon delegation let everyone in the hall know about Oregon State basketball, Iowa! Michelle gave a great speech. She is truly an asset to the campaign. After her speech she was joined by her two daughters. Very poised little girls!
This morning, Tuesday, I had the pleasure of running the program for the breakfast meeting. Senator Wyden, delegation chair, spoke. Congressman David Wu and Congresswoman Darlene Hooley spoke to the delegation. Delegates were given updates on the schedule and other announcements.
At the AFSCME meeting we heard from Senator Chuck Schumer of New York and Congressman John Lewis from Georgia. Congressman Lewis was very inspiring!
The convention session was jam packed! The governors of Arizona, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Montana, West Virginia, Iowa, and Wisconsin spoke. Also Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont also spoke.
The keynote address was given by Mark Warner, candidate for Senator, spoke and did a great job.
Then the highlight was the speech by Hillary Clinton. She did a great job speaking to the crowd. Lots of conversation among Hillary delegates about how they will vote tomorrow night.
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Sat & sun We arrived in Denver and checked in the Hyatt Regency at Tech Center. The hotel is very nice and the staff is wonderful. Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Fox News are here in the hotel.
I attended a reception last night for the state chairs and vice chairs. I saw many of the people that I had met in Annapolis last year. It was a cool ride because our state chair has a car and driver!
Then Bob and I went to dinner at a steakhouse that is even better than the Ringside!
This morning Mary Botkin of ASFCME in Portland and I went to the Hyatt Regency downtown for our ASFCME meeting. Mary knows everyone and it was great meeting many of the leaders! Then we joined the AFL-CIO, NEA, IBEW and several other unions for a meeting. Highlights were Teddy Kennedy, Jr bringing greetings from Senator Kennedy and the union member who at the Chicago candidate debate last year questioned the candidates about health care.
Security is really tough. At the Hyatt downtown, where Obama will be staying, there are tons of police officers. In front of the convention center this afternoon there was several people demonstrating. To enter the convention center you needed the correct credentials.
Bob spent 4 hours today as a volunteer inventorying media kits for the press at the Sheraton Hotel where the New York and California delegations are staying. He met the IT manager for the whole convention.
Below are the links for the pictures Bob has taken.
http://picasaweb.google.com/bobhthorn/DEMS082308DNCCDay1SaturdayTravelToDenver
http://picasaweb.google.com/bobhthorn/DEMS082408DNCCDay2SundayEveningDinnerForAll
We are off to the Oregon, Arizona, and Washington reception here in the hotel.
Jill
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