Women and Politics

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:

[The content below is a paraphrased summary of the Obama speech made at the DNC this week. It in no way is meant to express the political inclinations of the author or the WCFF.]

After the surprise visit to the Pepsi Center on Thursday, Senator Barack Obama arrived at the Invesco field after a build up of anticipation from supporters of the Democratic Party. By 2:00 PM the 16th Street Mall started to empty. The protesters had moved. In every store, shop or restaurant you could hear the buzz about going to Invesco field. Although, for security reasons, the light rail didn’t go straight to the field. Some people walked miles to get there.

You had to have a special ticket to in order to get in to the field. The ticket included a security code so no one could copy it. The change from the Pepsi Center to Invesco field meant more people would get to see Senator Barack Obama accept the Democratic Nomination for President. The amount of people increased from about 45,000 people to about 80,000 who had tickets to get through security and into the arena. Reminding some of a similar time when John F. Kennedy (JFK) accepted the nomination. Many remained just outside, not able to get in but wanting to be close enough to watch on the monitors.

The star-studded event included entertainment from John Legend, Jennifer Hudson and Stevie Wonder. Speeches from Al Gore, Governor Bill Richardson, Governor Tim Kaine, and V.P. nominee Joe Biden warmed up the crowd for Obama’s highly anticipated appearance. Senator Dick Durbin introduced Obama with the video of his life.

Obama is greeted with cheers, chants, and tears as he thanks the crowd that isn’t really giving him a chance to speak. He accepts the Presidential nomination and then expresses his thanks to all the candidates and thanked Bill Clinton. He gives a special thanks to Senator Hillary Clinton as he references the opportunities she has opened up for women and his daughters. He talks about Ted Kennedy, his family, and Biden before he begins to talk about the economy. He addresses a list of issues including the economy, healthcare, and education. Obama talks about home loss, mortgage crisis, high cost of tuition, and credit cards. He tells stories of people’s live affected by illness, outsourcing of jobs, and homeless veterans.

He talks about his opponent Senator John McCain and how closely his policies are similar to President Bush with snappy lines like “Eight is Enough,” referring to a 80’s family TV show and describing the last eight years of the Bush administration. Obama goes on to say, if McCain’s policies is 90% close to the previous administration he doesn’t want to take a 10% chance on repeating those eight years. Obama gives credit to McCain by saying “he just doesn’t get it.”

Obama:

“McCain subscribes to a philosophy that prosperity will trickle down, the market will take care of health care and and that anyone in poverty should pull themselves up by their bootstraps even if they don’t have boots.”

Obama goes on to explain that it is time for a change and this is why he is running for President. He talks about measures of success by describing progress with increase in jobs similar to when the economy increased the salaries of Americans by $7,500 during the Clinton administration. Obama uses stories of American families shared with him and compares them to challenges for his mother, grandfather, and gives a special tribute to his grandmother, calling them his heroes.

He indicates that he has a 10-year plan to end the dependence on oil from the Middle East. Raising 15 billion dollars to new energy sources and five million new jobs that won’t be outsourced. He discusses his education plans. He covers issues for women including equal pay, reproductive health and unintended pregnancies. He spoke of important issues in the gay rights community. Obama addressed the Second Amendment, referring to protecting the law but keeping AK47’s off the streets and out of criminals hands. He talks about the war in Iraq, concerns in Iran and Georgia. Ensuring veterans have equipment in battle and care when they come home.

Obama:

“Patriotism has no party. I love this country and so do you and so does John McCain.” “Those men and women that have fought in wars together have not served a red or blue America, they have served the United States of America.”

Acknowledging that change will not be easy, Obama talks about the change that will come to Washington with contributions from both the government and parents responsible for doing their part in making “change” happen.

Obama:

“The change we need does not come from Washington; change comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it.”

He goes on to talk about some of the change he has seen over the duration of his campaign.

Obama:

“Youth voting for the first time, and the Republicans that thought they would never pick up a Democratic ballot, but did.”

He talks about the American promise that 45 years ago today Americans from all four regions came to the Lincoln Memorial to hear a preacher from Georgia speak of his dream.

Obama:

“Together our dreams can be one. America we can not turn back with so much work to be done.”

“Let’s keep that promise, an American promise”

Walking up 16th Street, I came across a few people holding signs. I asked the two young Latina women what was written on their signs. They both said for immigration. They had taken a day out of school to march. This was clearly an important issue for them.

Celeste and Edith seemed politically active and aware of current events. I have to give credit to the their social studies teacher, who had taken the whole class to march. The two high school students had not heard any of the speeches during the convention, but they had issues that were important to them. Listen to what these youth had to say about women and political issues:

[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.

Continuing the ” Women on the Street” series of interviews visiting everyday women in Denver, I stop Caroline to ask her view point. She shares her views on the speeches of Bill Clinton, Joe Biden and the surprise appearance of Barack Obama.

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.