Geraldine_Thompson's Blog

A major focus of the National Democratic Convention has been a recognition of the hard work and sacrifices that many have made that resulted in a climate where Barack Obama could be nominated as President of the United States of America.   On Sunday night, my first evening in Denver, I attended a Civil Rights Celebration and Recognition that was coordinated by Congresswoman Maxine Walters.  Organizations including the NAACP, the National Council of Negro Women, the Congress on Racial Equality, Rainbow/PUSH, SCLC, SNCC, the Urban League and others were recognized for the work they did in early years to lay the groundwork for an African American to receive the nomination to the highest office in the land. 

This focus continued during the first meeting of Florida Delegates held during a breakfast meeting on Monday morning at the Red Lion, the Florida Conference Headquarters.  Chairwoman Karen Thurman spoke of the efforts on behalf of Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to have full voting strength restored to Florida delegates.  The Democratic National Committee has restored full voting strength to both Michigan and Florida.  Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer emphasized the importance of Florida as a swing state with 27 electoral votes.  He encouraged Florida Democrats to be the agents of change in the 2008 elections.  Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of Los Angeles, spoke of the similiarity of challenges faced by Californians and Floridians.  Though he had been a strong support of Senator Hillary Clinton, he indicated that he is working for Barack Obama and encouraged others to do the same. 

Legal Counsel for the Obama Campaign recruited lawyers and law students to participate in voter protection efforts throughout Florida.  He indicated that voter protection is no longer an election day operation but must be begun early to insure that all votes that are properly cast are counted.  Working early would eliminate problems such as those that occurred in Ohio where some polling places have 30 machines and others have 5 machines that caused long lines and discouraged people, primarily minorities ,from voting. 

The evening opening session included electrifying speeches from representatives of the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers.  These organizations stressed that every child has a right to a quality education.  They touted change in Congress in 2006 and indicated that taking the White House was the next goal.  Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. indicated in his address that this is the first convention to be held so close to a mountaintop--alluding to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his reference to having been to the mountaintop and having seen the promise land.  Dr. King was certain that African American people would get to the promised land.  Many view the nomination of Barack Obama as moving closer to the promised land.

Caroline Kennedy and Senator Ted Kennedy spoke of Barack Obama as an individual who have returned hope, excitement and anticipation of a brighter future to American politics.  Michelle Obama shared the story of her family which included a father who suffered from a debilitating illness.  She talked of her mother and Barack's mother as women who sacrificed for their familiies and the opportunity for their children to achieve the American dream.  Mrs. Obama stressed that Barack's story was an American story and was one of the reasons she very much loved her Country.  Michelle Obama continued the focus on early sacrifices and reminded the audience that the convention occurs 88 years after women were granted that right to vote and 45 years after Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech.