Day 2- Dreams Really Can Come True

 

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008

Day two began with some star studded action.  After visiting one of the many Starbucks in Downtown Denver, I spotted Angela Bassett on the corner of 16^th Street.  I wanted to chat with her about Tina Turner, but in better taste I decided to just ask for a photo.

My day at the paper went well, but it was my evening inside the Pepsi Center that I will never forget.

Hillary Rodham Clinton has been a hero of mine since I was in elementary school. Tonight, I had the opportunity to be in the Pepsi Center as she gave what some say was the speech of her life.  Before I get into her moving speech, let me give you a peak into the Pepsi Center.

As I was walking the concourse on the floor level, I almost literally ran into former President Jimmy Carter. I was standing outside of the CBS News Suite, went to turn around, and the former President himself was standing barely a foot away from me. (pictures to be posted later)

After my close call with the former prez I went to secure myself a seat for the former First Lady’s remarks.

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland addressed the delegates and guests about the job cuts in the “heartland” and attacked Senator McCain regarding his disconnect with the middle class. “It’s time for a President to bring our jobs back and bring our troops home,” Strickland said.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick focused more on the need for a new economy and the change we need to see in our country. Patrick reminded the delegates that McCain’s plan is the “same old” and that the Democrats need to “put our cynicism down” and “learn to say yes we can.”

It was the Governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer, who got the crowd going before Clinton was set to take the stage.  Governor Schweitzer was fierce with his attacks on McCain. “Even the leaders in the oil industry know that John McCain is wrong,” Schweitzer said.  The Governor focused on the issue of energy and oil: “Barack Obama understands that the most important barrel of oil is the one that you don’t use.” He excited the crowd with his support of Barack Obama and got the delegates and guests on their feet just before Clinton was set to speak.

After Governor Schweitzer left the stage, the Pepsi Center was roaring with excitement.  The short video of Clinton from youth to today, narrated by daughter Chelsea Clinton, got the attention of everyone in the arena.  With interviews from Clinton’s mother and Former President Bill Clinton, the clips ranged from childhood to her race toward the White House.  Tom Petty’s “American Girl” played in the background as the montage of her achievements rolled across the screens.  Those in attendance raised the “Hillary” signs, given to the crowd by the Obama for America campaign, and stood in anticipation for Clinton.

Although it wasn’t Hillary, Chelsea Clinton took the podium, and introduced her mother as “her hero.”

And there she was, walking onto the stage in front of me.  Wearing an orange pant suit, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton waved to the standing room only crowd.

The cheers from the crowd for Senator Clinton were electrifying. I had chills, and I know many others were touched just by the emotion in arena.  The crowd cheered and applauded the Senator for over five minutes before taking their seats.

Clinton delivered the best speech of her career.  I couldn’t believe that I was actually sitting there, watching her speak about healthcare, the war in Iraq, and of course, Barack Obama. A year ago, the polls indicated that Clinton was a shoe-in for the Democratic Presidential nomination, but tonight, she was endorsing a fellow Senator for President.  She called herself “a proud supporter of Barack Obama” and asked the delegates and voters to come together: “Whether you voted for me or for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party.”

Clinton was strong and powerful in her message. “We are on the same team and none of us can afford to sit out on the sidelines” Clinton said.

Clinton showed her wit and charisma in her attacks against the media. “You made me laugh and yes, you made me cry,” Clinton said.  Her obvious reference to the coffee house incident the night before the New Hampshire primary was a clever attack against the media.  The media scrutinized Clinton throughout the primary season, and some Clinton supports believe that it was the media who lost the race for her.

Clinton thanked those who supported her along the campaign trail and jokingly referred to her supporters as the “sisterhood of the traveling pants suits.”  This was another knock at the media for their analysis of her pants suits throughout her campaign.  I wonder how People magazine felt about that.

As she attacked McCain and Bush, the crowd roared with approval: “…with an agenda like that, it makes perfect sense that John McCain and George Bush will be together next week in the twin cities,” Clinton said, referring to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis.

Senator Clinton was, in my opinion, incredible.  It was emotional for me, watching her give a speech that wasn’t an acceptance of the Presidential nomination.   Clinton needed to unite the party, and I believe she did that tonight.   She can’t make all her supporters happy.  I am sure there are some die-hards out there that are still skeptical about backing Obama, but those people need to sit and really listen to what Clinton had to say tonight.

Her reference to Harriet Tubman and to the struggles women have come so far from gave me chills.  There is no better word than to say she electrified the Pepsi Center tonight.   “There are no limits to what is possible in America,” Clinton said.

Tonight was a dream come true for me.  Clinton is an inspiration to me as a young woman on so many levels and her message was clear tonight.  We need to unite as a party in order to avoid four more years of the past 8, and although it isn’t her name on that ballot, it is time for Democrats to come together and fight for change.