Oh, What a Night!

As I walked out of Invesco Field at Mile High last night attempting to find a bus back to the hotel that we’d never find (more on that later), I was lost in thought, trying to find the words that would even come close to characterizing my experience of being one of the privileged few to get to see it live and in person. And then it came to me…Imagine the end of your favorite musical, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, you’re standing screaming at the top of your lungs because you just witnessed something wonderful. Imagine you’re at your hometown team’s stadium and it’s the bottom of the ninth and your favorite player hits a grand slam to win the game to put them in the playoffs. Yeah, that’s pretty good – okay. Really good, but this was better!
I just emailed my fabulous cousin Shelley, who has been so supportive and loving with her kind words, that outside of the miracle of my loving wife, children and grandchildren, this was it. I still can’t believe that I got to be there, and I now realize that I was there for you, for everyone who couldn’t be here. I met so many of the California delegation, and we’re all here because we’ve worked hard for the Obama campaign, but there are hundreds if not thousands who could have easily been here, as well. But in my Congressional district, one man got to be an Obama delegate, and I am that man. I have been so blessed, but as I told my friend and fellow Obama campaigner who has also been so kind to keep in touch with her support, I am here representing everyone who couldn’t be here.
This convention went off without a hitch, and each day had something new to offer, but last night’s extravaganza before a packed stadium in Denver was the pinnacle. Al Gore wowed the crowd with the speech of his life. Like me, he is so respected and admired by so many, and his presence on that stage was not just symbolic; it was historic. With a spectacular and touching tribute to Martin Luther King’s legacy and speeches earlier in the day by Reverend King’s son and daughter, a large line-up of military generals and other military leadership standing on stage demonstrating support for Obama, and with a smattering of entertainment thrown for good measure, including Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow and Jennifer Hudson completely wowing the crowd, it just got better and better. I feel confident that if Barack came out and asked 80,000 people to make 100 calls from their seat before they left the stadium, everyone would have done just that.
I have got to get to the airport. It is now 8:45 AM Denver time, and I am leaving four hours early for my flight. Yikes! But with thousands heading out of town on the same day, it is necessary. Thank you again to all who have been here to support me, keep in contact with me and let me know you’re out there. It has meant a lot! And I will put more thoughts together when I have a chance. Thank you also to John Scott and Green 960 AM Radio in San Francisco for linking this blog on their website.
Next stop, San Francisco. Let’s get to work and get Barack over the top. It’s going to be a bumpy road, and I feel confident that if we get everyone out to vote, particularly people of color, women and young people, that will be enough to get Barack into the White House.
Bye for now!