It Feels Mighty Good to be a Democrat

Tonight was the night that we’ve all been waiting for. Tonight was just what the doctor ordered. After a night yesterday when the Democratic Party seemed to become unified behind Barack Obama, tonight was proof positive. As the roll call procedure progressed, it became increasingly obvious that the hall filled with thousands of delegates from the United States and its territories were uniting behind Barack Obama. The momentum was building when all eyes turned to the New York delegation where Hillary Clinton with New York Senator Charles Schumer at her side ceded this race to Barack Obama by releasing all of her delegates to Senator Obama.

The speeches tonight were nothing short of brilliant. If John Kerry had delivered a couple speeches like tonight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MiBBb7DQpI we would be working to re-elect Kerry to his second term. President Clinton dazzled the crowd and reminded this country how a powerful speech was meant to be given. As the torch is passed from the Clinton era to the next generation of leadership, Bill Clinton delivered a speech that was absolutely magnificent. Although the speeches up until then placed the crowd into kind of a euphoric trance, the speech by vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden was still greatly anticipated.

Biden delivered the speech of his life. His emotion filled speech brought tears to my eyes, and for a guy who isn’t prone to crying often, that’s saying something. The theme was national security, and one speech that poignantly delivered that message was given by military hero Major Tammy Duckworth, which struck just the right chord http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6mvMpB2t9Y It was accompanied by a video filled with testimonials and interviews of war veterans from the current war and occupation and of World War II, and it was so tremendously moving. The message came through loud and clear that this country will be guided with the leadership of Barack Obama in a much more thoughtful way with a foreign policy that favors strong diplomacy over reckless military force and a desire to reassert the US as a respected leader on the world stage.

Melissa Etheridge came out early in the evening for one song, but it was an extraordinary moment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30hwuCYshQU As thousands of people sang and danced together as one, the overwhelming feeling that we are all part of something huge and life-changing was palpable. I have made so many new friends from all over California, and it was so special to share this moment with them. State delegations are a representative cross-section of our society, and it is such a privilege to be with them and get to know so many special and dedicated public servants. If I were so honored, I would serve as a delegate in four years again in a heartbeat. I am having the time of my life.

On a personal note, I am feeling quite satisfied. Three incredible things happened that have really enhanced my experience so much. Even though leaving the convention floor is not only difficult, but risky because one’s seat may be in jeopardy, nature does occasionally call. As I headed up the stairs and on to the main concourse, I heard my name, looked up and there stood a friend of mine from Washington, D.C. who was once the legislative counsel for Congressman Lantos and now in private legal practice. He is in Denver representing a client with Democratic business. I met Jason when I was doing some lobbying in his office and several others during my years of political action related to my profession. We have kept in contact ever since.

My friend Sarah, who until a few weeks was living in the Bay Area working very hard on the Obama campaign, took the plunge and fulfilled a dream by moving to Washington, D.C. to procure a job with a Congressional office. Knowing I was at the DNC, she texted me yesterday to say hello, find out how things were going in Denver and to tell me that she had an interview set up with Senator Klobuchar’s office at the end of the convention. It got me thinking that it would be amazing to be able to talk to somebody from the senator’s office about it. What good fortune it is to have the California delegation sitting right next to Minnesota’s, and how crazy is it that Senator Klobuchar was the one at the microphone as her state announced its votes in the roll call for Barack Obama. Oh, did I mention that she was about fifteen feet from me? You can guess the rest. It was a magical moment, and I was so pleased and proud.

Lastly, a wonderful guy that I met while in Reno, Nevada working on the Obama campaign called me yesterday to say that he was coming to Denver, and knowing that I was here as a delegate, wanted to see if I had time to get together. Well, we did, and he joined me and probably a thousand of my closest friends at a California delegation gala at the Denver Museum of Science and Nature for a truly spectacular affair. He was dazzled by being a small part of the delegate process and I was thrilled to see him and share my extra ticket to the event with him.

This great guy is named Sky Nelson, and I know he won’t mind my mentioning his name because he is quite a talented musician. He has written a song for the Obama campaign, and I know he would be delighted if you’d visit his website and acquaint yourself with his music and message. http://www.skynelson.com/index.cfm?CFID=42298235&CFTOKEN=97418193 I first saw Sky after a long day of canvassing through the streets of Reno sitting in the Reno Obama office sitting there playing the piano, and I said to myself, “Wow! This guy’s good.”

I know that people are busy, but don’t cheat yourself. Go back and listen to the speeches tonight. They are so well worth your time, and if you do – or if you already got to see what I saw in person – you will agree with me that if you are a Democrat, this was a very satisfying and empowering evening. It hasn’t always been a peaches and cream campaign. There has been divisiveness, rancor and some real tough times that have served to temper what has been an amazing ride for Barack Obama and his campaign, but tonight’s strong message of support, admiration and oneness as a party is the perfect way to lead us into the next 68 days of this campaign against John McCain for the presidency.

Oh, I almost forgot. I have also had the pleasure of meeting a gentleman running for Congress from California’s 48th Congressional District, the southern part of Orange County, home to a huge Republican population. Steve Young is a genuinely nice guy, but he is also a candidate in the image of Barack Obama. He has a strong platform of job growth, a fair middle class tax plan, environmental awareness and securing a proper retirement for working families, and his incumbent opponent John Campbell, like John McCain, has voted in lockstep with George W. Bush 95% of the time. If you’re interested in supporting a wonderful candidate for Congress and helping him replace another clone of George Bush, log on to www.steveyoungforcongress.com and give him your support. He is an agent for change and is changing hearts and minds and will provide new leadership in Congress for all the citizens of a majority Republican Orange County.

That’s it for now. Once again, I can’t thank you all enough for your good wishes, your support and encouragement. I want to give a shout-out to my mom, who called me a couple of nights ago to share her excitement with me for my being part of history and that she was watching all of the festivities and that it was such a spectacular event. That meant a lot to me, Mom!

For those of you who are wishing to be a part of this campaign and do more than just watch the proceedings and vote in November, there is a way you can get involved. Log on to www.mybarackobama.com, sign in and press the events button, put in your zip code and find an event that suits you. Even a couple hours a week would be invaluable. I feel strongly that you’ll find donating a little bit of time rewarding, enriching and very empowering.

Onward to Mile High….