Women and Politics

People were moving, the crowds were bustling. You couldn’t help but hear the sounds and buzz of all the people walking through Denver. You either moved with the crowds or got out of the way. Christine is not alone but she isn’t moving. I am watching her from across the street and she notices that I am walking directly towards her. She smiles but the smile is out of hospitality. She is unsure why I am approaching.

I ask her if she was able to hear the speech. Christine has a reserved tone and soft voice. The man with her, I realize now that I didn’t ask his name, says they could have gotten in if they had tried hard enough; however, they watched Obama from the outside of the field on the monitors.

Christine is a writer, a native of Denver and identified herself as a chicana. She is carrying a novel in her bag. She is surprised, as I describe wanting to do a podcast for a blog. She writes quietly in her space and doesn’t really share her work with the world. She is a literature major and doesn’t need to prove that she has something to offer. After some time, I convinced Christine to share herself and her opinion about Obama. Here is what she had to say:

I have reached Larimer Street and it is still buzzing with the excitement of the night. People are stopping traffic as crowds move through the streets. Many are on their way to restaurants to get something to eat and some are going to celebrate. The streets and the sidewalks are overcrowded. Dacia agrees to talk to me, sharing her perspective, another “Woman on the Street”:

Walking from Invesco Field, I see Tony waiting among her friends to be picked up to return to her hotel. She was still carrying the signs and that special ticket draped around her neck. She was still excited about the night. Here is what Tony had to say:

[Update: Video Added]

Getting into Pepsi Center on the day of the Role Call Vote seemed easier than normal. Although the security was the same as any other day, there were not as many people entering at 3 p.m. I wasn’t sure if it was too early or if many people hadn’t realized the significance of the events of the day.

This day I was able to go behind the podium and watch the big screen, escorted, of course. I took pictures and video of the view, watching some states cast their vote. There were screams and cheers for both Obama and Clinton as the votes were cast.

Alabama was up first to cast 48 votes for Obama, Alaska followed suit, with Arizona the first to cast votes for Clinton. California, with 441 votes, passed on casting their vote. Everyone began to wonder what was going to be the outcome, with so many votes not included in the count. States were called in alphabetical order declaring which votes were going to Obama and Clinton. Illinois also passes on casting the vote. Michigan, a highly contested state, was able to cast their votes. Voting 125 for Barack Obama and 27 votes for Hillary Clinton.

The other states followed suit, casting each vote until Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls upon the State of New York, Mayor Daley. Several people moved to the front of the line. As you listened to Daley he moved slightly and you see Senator Hillary Clinton. The audience begins to chant “Hillary, Hillary, Hillary” after Sen. Clinton asks to suspend the procedural rules and suspend the conduct of roll call. She goes on to say,

“All votes cast by the delegates will be counted and I move that Sen. Barack Obama be selected as the nominee of the Democratic Party for President of the United States.”

Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls for the motion and accepts the nomination of Barack Obama. The whole event was moving and exciting. Many people around had been brought to tears.

The most exciting thing about being on the ground at the Democratic National Convention is getting to know the people of Denver. I have talked to so many people about the Presidential race, how it feels to have so many people in Denver, or how politics affect there lives. The one thing I have yet to share is the compassion and energy that you feel while you are here.

There are Denver hosts that help you when they think you are lost. When ever I stop to look on the maps at 16th Street Mall someone comes up to offer their assistance. When I ask Denver natives how it feels to have so many cameras, reporters, police and supporters for Obama, they tell me how proud they are to have the Democratic Convention in Denver.

the hosts in denver

The stories of tears, emotions, excitement, screams and chants that is shown on the television does not compare to what it feels like to be behind the scenes moving through the crowds. I have been on the mall, at the Colorado Convention Center, the Pepsi Center, Invesco Field and riding the light rail and each day is exciting. I have more pod and vidcasts to show you and you can see for yourself.

Tess and Holland were on 15th street, getting ready to go into a restaurant, when I stumbled up them. They were eager to talk to me about Senator Hilary Clinton’s speech. They had very different views. One was clearly a supporter of Clinton and the other Obama. They were good friends, telling me stories about sharing clothes and always going out to interesting places with each other. Although they were friends supporting different candidates it was evident that they did not let it affect their friendship.  One struggles with her words while the other is more certain about how Clinton’s speech influenced her decision to support Obama. Listen in:

Ilana Goldman, President of Women’s Campaign Forum, explains to women why they should be involved in politics. There are three key things that women should know about how they can take part in the the political process each day. View the video to find out what they are: