Pictures From Around the Convention

Pink protesters for peace.
An interesting hat.
Stevie Wonder's hands on the key board as he entertained us.
The thousands (90,000) who enjoyed the positive vibes at Invesco Field
The last night at the Obama acceptance speech.
George Dukakis traveling through the crowd.
I meet Gavin Newsome.

Barack Obama - The next President of the U.S.A.

What a thrilling and hopeful night. Sitting with 3 Hillary delegates and a young first voter, each representing a different culture and different race, we held hands and marveled at how far we've come. Barach Obama represents that journey and speaks to all of us about how we must, together not divided, move toward the future, not the past, towards change, hope and policies that lift all of us, women,men, children, poor, middle class, rich, gay, lesbian, heterosexual, to a better life.
It was an inspiring speech an inspiring program and a wonderful night. I am coming home ready to work for his campaign and am asking all those who helped me with Hillary to help me work for an Obama/Biden ticket. You also need to know that she truly wants him elected and without him policies that she has worked so hard for concerning women and children's rights, education and universal health care will not come about. She spoke to her delegates in a special meeting and I came away truly convinced of her desire for us to follow her lead and support Barack Obama.
For those of you, like Den and I, who will be using Medicare or Social Security, you need to help me to. Obama and Biden will strengthen and repair (eliminate the donut hole) these helpful and even life saving programs. John McCain will privatize them which is a way of making us pay for all of those services and lead to large profits for drug companies and Wall Street investment firms.
You will be hearing from me soon. Go Obama/Biden!!

California's Vote

A couple people have been wondering about last night's vote and why California passed.

California has 441 votes and with that many cast at the beginning of the vote, many of the small states would not matter. We usually pass and let each state have a say and then come in at the end and put it over the top. This night, the point was to let Illinois (his home) put it over the top, but in a beautiful move to show unity, Illinois passed to New York to allow Hillary Clinton (one of their two Senators), to call for a unanimous vote for Barack Obama. The reason this was so important;
1) her supporters thought the roll call was being taken from her and a voice vote would be rammed through
2) her supporters petitioned to have a roll call vote as an honor to her and won one
3) knowing this, Hillary in an effort to show her support for Obama, moved for a voice vote
It was all brilliant.
Pam

Day 3/Hillary Stresses Unity

California's breakfast featured John Kerry. It was good to see him again.
Hillary set up a meeting with her delegates for 1:15. I headed to the Convention Center. I thought I would try to listen in on the Senior caucus for a bit and get a free lunch in the process. As I was walking down the hall I saw the sign for Nancy Pelosi's book signing. I stopped, got in line and was able to get her to sign her book "Know Your Strength" for my daughters. Wow. As I boarded the escalator for the Sr. Caucus downstairs I noticed the long line to get into the Hillary event still one hour away. Of course I got in line. That ended my lunch plans and introduced me to the nicest couple from Hawaii who had been for Hillary, but were now leaning toward Barack. We good discussions while we waited. We decided the V.P. would have been a waste of her talent and strength. Remaining in the Senate and perhaps becoming the leader in Harry Reed's position would give her the place to do her best work. When we finally got to see and listen to her, she was stunning. She encouraged us to come together and support Obama and Biden. How could any of the important issues she has worked for be accomplished with a McCain win? This is not about any one person but about the best for our Country and our people. We must vote for the people of America so that they can have jobs again - green jobs, health care for all, and education that is affordable to all children. That means vote for Obama/Biden who stand for what Hillary has always stood for. What a gracious, mature and fabulous women. I bought a pin "Hillary supporters for Obama".
The evening was exhilarating!! We nominated Barack Obama for our Presidential candidate. Voting commenced and as the votes added up and were about to go over the needed amount, New Mexico passed to Illinois who passed to New York and Hillary made a motion to nominate Obama by voice vote, which we did. What a great move by the Democratic Party!!
Military generals and enlisted kids as well as wounded vets, including Cathy Duckworth spoke of how effective Barack Obama would be as Commander & Chief.
Bill Clinton threw his support to Obama with a rousing speech, and Joe Biden accepted our nomination for V.P. with his family. A great speech, a great man, a great family. He is the best choice I am convinced.
You would love the people here. There are so many around who believe in the same thing as we do. Good night from Denver.

This Day Devoted to Women in Politics

Today after breakfast, my husband was able to talk his way into two free tickets for the Emily's List party even though it was sold out. We had standing room only and after standing for an hour, I only had time to hear Hillary Clinton. Den stayed to hear Nancy Pelosi and Michelle Obama while I took off for the Pepsi Center.
I thought tonight I would look at some of the people I'm a delegate with or have talked to here.
I met John Garamendi in the Lobby and thought of you, Milt. We talked about Eureka. He was looking forward to his speech at the Democrat of the Year Dinner on October 3.
Sitting next to me in the Pepsi Center was a friendly young woman named Erin from L.A. (Many of the 441 California Delegates are from L.A.) She attended Cornell for an undergraduate degree and is now working on a Masters in Art @ Cal Arts College. She has her own business as a freelance set and costume designer. Using the mail and internet, she can send her scale models and sketches from anywhere and so may move to a more beautiful area. I suggested Humboldt.
The guy on my right was interesting. A Political Science professor at Stanford, Jim Steyer taught Chelsea for 3 classes ("she was a great student"). He is also the CEO and founder of Common Sense Media. A "consumer reports" of media, his business evaluates and grades children's media for parents, grandparents and teachers so that they can make educated choices for their children. His web site is www.commonsense.com
Hillary was awesome, the best speech she has ever given according to the Obama finance committee member I sat next to on the bus. She was so strong, confident and definitely for all of us to support Obama/Biden so that the 37 years that she has put into helping people will not go for naught. Her goals and dreams of the betterment of the people of the U.S. will not be fulfilled by electing John McCain. I hope you all saw her speech and am anxious to discuss the issues with you when I get home. OBAMA & BIDEN in '09 ! Until tomorrow, good night.

The First Real Day of the Convention

Our day started out with a breakfast provided by the California Democratic Party. Thanks everyone. Nancy Pelosi was our speaker. She was great and encouraged unity to get a President who will not veto every bill that the Congress tries to pass.
In the afternoon I attended the Senior Caucus. One of the speakers was FDR's grandson, James Roosevelt. I learned that even more urgent is the need to elect Barack Obama and not McCain. McCain is for privatizing Social Security and getting rid of Medicare a terrible thing for families who rely on it to help with their elders. His health care plan is also a plan to make families buy their own with his $5,000 tax credit, but tax all health benefits given families by their jobs. All very bad ideas for seniors and families. Obama wants to strengthen Social Security, improve Medicare and provide people with the same Health Insurance that Congress receives unless they choose to keep what they have.
The evening convention was inspiring, especially the speeches of Ted Kennedy and Michelle Obama. Tears for Ted who has gotten so many liberal policies through while working in many conservative congresses and is fighting the hardest fight in his life. Tears of excitement and joy for the Obama family who is so optimistic and hopeful for change and improvement in the path our country will take in the near future. I loved the fact that Barack came on live from Kansas City to say thank you to Michelle and hi to his girls.

Delegate Swag Bag

I was caught and interviewed by CBS about the delegate swag bags. Click on the title above to see me discuss my loot.