Day Two Democratic National Convention

Tuesday August 26, 2008

Filed at 11 a.m. on August 27th

The tone of Day Two of the Democratic National Conference changed to reflect the frustration and anger toward John McCain, the Republican Party, and the failed policies of the Bush Administration. The gloves came off and the accusations began.

The Democrats are ready for the fight, and ready to take the case for winning all the way to the White House.

Full Slate Of Convention Activities

Having attended the 2004 DNC convention, I know that countless meetings, meal functions and strategy sessions are being held throughout the week before the 3p.m. Mountain Time gavel announces the start of the day's program. There is a full slate of activities, followed by the general sessions at the Pepsi Center, and then endless parties, concerts and after parties to complete the day.

Four years ago I spoke to the Hawaii Delegation at the Boston Breakfast meeting, not realizing I was the warm up act for the meeting they would have that afternoon with their beloved Barry...Barack Obama. The convention is filled with powerful people converging at a single site to craft out the political agenda of the new season.


Tuesday's Agenda

I marveled at how Governor David Patterson, the New York governor who is legally blind, was able to stay on script, deliver his attacks on McCain, and gracefully walk off the stage without missing a beat. Yes, he is a skilled orator, but he seemed to be especially polished at yesterday's session.

I especially appreciated hearing the remarks from Cecile Richards, the daughter of the late Governor Ann Richards. She is following in the footsteps of her mother (who was one of my role models) in her commitment to public service and upholding the rights of women.

Memorial Tribute

The Congressional Black Caucus, 42 members strong, paid special tribute to the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, who died earlier this month from a brain aneurysm at the age of 58. I knew Stephanie, have taken pictures with her, had her on my radio program, and am deeply sadden by her loss. My commentary about her death was a tribute feature in my electronic newsletter, Empowerment Today.

Following their tribute to Tubbs Jones, there was a video tribute to the fallen heroes of Congress, congressional administrators, former presidential candidate Shirley Chisholm, and political journalist Tim Russert.

Dennis' Wake Up Call

Whoa! The sleeper of the day's speechmakers was former presidential candidate and Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich. His short and fiery message moved the crowd to their feet. His speech should have run during prime time...it was that good. After shouting out the failed policies of the Bush administration and their alignment with John McCain, he very effectively created a repetitive chorus of "Wake Up America," followed by a second chorus of "Up With Fair Trade, Up With Education For All!" In addition to his effective call to arms, I especially appreciated his lapel button with a smiling picture of the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, who served with Kucinich as an Ohio congressional representative.

Needed More Practice

John Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO needed extra practice with the teleprompter. He struggled with the speed of the text, greatly reducing the impact of his introduction of the American workers on stage with him.

Ouch! Note to the DNC convention producers: Make sure you have each presenter run through their speech a second time so that the will be comfortable delivering their message to the masses.

76 Cents On The Dollar

Lily Ledbetter...the displaced and disgruntled Goodyear Tire worker...what a gutsy women she was. Found out after decades of service that she was consistently paid less than her male counterparts and sued her company for restitution. She lost, even though the case went all the way to the Supreme Court. What a sad commentary for equal pay in the workplace. Women are still worth 76 cents on the dollar. What a shame.

Warner, Patrick, Clinton

I related to keynote speaker Virginia's Governor Mark Warner who shared his story of business setbacks to the corner office in Richmond. He was the first to go to college in his family. His first business failed in 6 weeks. His second failed in 6 months. Finally his third idea took off like a rocket: car cell phones. Now that's a great business story.

What a wash of pride that came over me when my governor, Massachusetts' own Deval Patrick addressed the crowd. Telling his signature growing up poor story...from the projects of Chicago to the halls of Harvard...Patrick reminded me why I rolled up my sleeves and went to work to get him elected in 2006. He is staunchly aligned with Barack Obama and publicly declared his support on the convention floor last night. He and Obama have been friends for years, and their campaign strategies are very very similar. Stay tuned for Patrick to serve in a significant role in the Obama administration.

The show stealer was Senator and former Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton. With a moving video introduction narrated by her daughter Chelsea, she captured the hearts of most who heard her message and her declaration as a Democrat and staunch supporter of Barack Obama. Truly her greatest speech yet, Clinton nailed shut the notion that she wants to rain on Obama's parade. Clinton paid tribute to the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubb Jones who was one of her most staunch supporters and signaled out her son Mervyn, Jr. who sat next to President Clinton in the audience. She also paid tribute to the late Arkansas Democratic Party Chair Bill Gwatney, whose widow, Rebecca, sat to the left of President Clinton. With moving metaphors and a tribute to her own mother, born before women could vote in contrast to her daughter, Chelsea, who cast her vote for her mother in the 2008 presidential primary, Clinton blew away the notion that she is a spoiler.

Her one liners were priceless.
--No Way! No How! No McCain!
--Barack is my candidate and he must be our president!
--The traveling pantsuit society!
--John McCain and George Bush in the Twin Cities next week...it will be hard to tell them apart!
---Tribute to freedom fighter Harriet Tubman...when you hear the dogs...Keep Going! Keep Going! Keep Going!

That was an in your face, bring in on speech. Direct, Forceful, and Focused. The best unity speech she could have ever delivered.

Now, will the Hillary holdouts stop acting STUPID and vote for your interests as a Democrat??? Party Unity is the only way Obama will win in November...so it's time for the sore losers to fall in line and vote YOUR interests.

See ya tomorrow.

-Carole