Laura Chick's Blog

Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center was beyond exciting!  One of the early speakers who really fired up the crowd was Rep. Dennis Kucinich.  Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer was also marvelous in getting the crowd to roar!

Of course the star attraction was Hillary.  What grace she showed.  It must be extremely difficult to be in her position after fighting so hard and coming so close.  But she left no doubt to what our mission is:  Elect Barack Obama President.

I was seated next to four Hillary supporters who I have gotten to know over the last few days.  Hillary's speech was a very emotional and important moment for them.  But I can tell you, they are going home from the Convention to work their hearts out for Obama-Biden.

There are no assigned seats in the delegation, so I've been getting to the Pepsi Center at about 4 p.m.  My friend, LAUSD School Board Member Yolie Flores Aguilar and I stake out  our seats.  Many of the other delegates who are party hopping and getting there later have difficulty finding a good seat.

To underscore what a big deal the seating is, there was a little incident last night between one delegate and myself.  While I was standing up next to my seat and talking to an Associated Press reporter a man grabbed my chair knicking my arm and stepping on my ankle.  

As I attempted to steady myself I grabbed the reporter's arm.  What I didn't know at the time was that he was going to run with this story--and it is appearing on the wires and blogs all across the country! So tonight I'm going to take a helmet and shin guards just to be sure!

I just came from an excellent panel titled "Culture Wars:  The Role of Race, Gender, Ethnicity, Religion and Values In The Fall Campaign."  Sponsored by the Hispanic Institute, moderated by Dan Abrams of MSNBC, the panel included Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Rep. Harold Ford Jr., founder of the DailyKos, Markos Moulitsas--and for the GOP, MSNBC's bad boy Tucker Carlson.

It was a very frank discussion especially on race and gender in this year's election process.  Governor Richardson feels strongly that race and ethnicity are no longer a factor.  Tucker Carlson proffered that Senator Obama should come out against affirmative action and he would win in a landslide--well that certainly got the room heated!

This was a very serious panel discussion about some extremely sensitive issues.  This is a tradition of the Democratic Party to take hot-button topics and tackle them head on, not sweep them under the rug.  I think this is a major difference between the two major political parties.  I can't imagine this discussion happening in Minneapolis next week.

Among the delegates and attendees to the Democratic Convention here in Denver, there is a real zero tolerance for anything other than unity.  The ardent Hillary supporters I have encountered are raring to go for Barack Obama.  They know how important it is to win in November.

I just attended a women's delegate caucus and it was electrifying.  We all had tambourines and we were really rockin.  The enthusiasm for Obama-Biden couldn't be any greater.  Every woman in the room is going to work their heart out to make Barack Obama our next President.

I am surprised by some of the negative critiques in the media on Michelle Obama's magnificent speech last night. It was as if some of the talking heads didn't listen to the same speech I heard.

Michelle was instrumental in helping the American people  get to know the Obamas for who they really are,…a wonderfully tight-knit, genuine, value oriented family.  That came across like gangbusters in Michelle's speech.  It was truly inspiring.

Of course, I am so glad I brought plenty of Kleenex last night.  As soon as Senator Kennedy came out I had tears in my eyes.  You talk about courage!  This man stood there and gave a magnificent speech, effectively passing the torch to Senator Obama.  It was a moment I will never forget.

More later!

Well, it took a lot longer than anticipated to get from the Sheraton to the Pepsi Center.  First you wait outside the hotel for the bus for about 20 minutes--and believe me it is hot!  Luckily I'm passing the time with my friend LAUSD School Board Member Yolie Flores Aguilar.

After waiting for the bus it was about a forty minute ride, a lot of sitting and waiting before unloading.  It would have taken about ten minutes in a taxi.

Now after running the security gauntlet, we are inside and safely seated in the California delegation.  It is truly an amazing sight here in the hall.  I can't believe I'm really here.  What a historic week for the Democratic Party and for America.

The convention is buzzing with excitement about Michelle Obama's speech tonight.  Of course we are all so thrilled that Senator Ted Kennedy will be speaking.

Earlier this afternoon I attended the Americans for Democratic Action's (ADA) celebration at the beautiful Colorado History Museum.  The speakers included Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).

Barney Frank's eloquent, impassioned and humorous speech ignited the crowd. An ardent supporter of Senator Hillary Clinton during the primaries, he made it clear that he and other Clinton supporters must unite behind Senator Obama.  He said the primaries are the past, it’s done, its over--let's move on.  The Hillary supporters cheered enthusiastically.

I'll check in again soon!