Fri, August 29, 2008 - 11:51 AM

DENVER—North Carolina Democrats accused Republican John McCain of pandering to the women’s vote in choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate this morning.

McCain’s choice symbolized a play for “disgruntled Hillary voters,” said Clinton delegate Susan Campbell of Winston-Salem, but it won’t work, as voters realize she stands for none of the same values.

Palin, a self-described hockey-mom, is considered a staunch social conservative.

But the political newcomer, who has been governor less than two years in a state riddled with Republican scandals, is widely unknown outside of Alaska.

“I don’t know much about her,” said Erica Noble, of Raleigh, “so I called my friend (who is) a Republican and she didn’t know much about her either.” It seems like, “he didn’t pick the congresswoman, he picked the page.”

Rep. Mel Watt, D-N.C., said he was perplexed by the Palin pick.

“The more I thought about it, the less it makes sense,” Watt said. “Why Alaska, when Senator Ted Stevens is under indictment.”

“The only rationale I can make of this is it’s political” and an attempt to “pick off” Hillary supporters, he said.

Still, some Democrats held their fire in Palin’s first hour as the number two Republican.

“Nobody knows anything about her,” Campbell said, but “she’s attractive.”

--Neil Simon

John McCain just introduced Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, a move that surprised many because of Palin's relative lack of experience, an issue that McCain has hammered Obama on extensively.

Palin was elected governor in 2006 after she defeated incumbent Frank Murkowski in the GOP primary. Prior to becoming governor, Palin served as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, population 6,715.

Palin's youth (at 44, she's three years younger than Barack Obama and nearly 30 years younger than McCain) and status as a Washington outsider could serve as a balance to McCain, who has served in Congress for over 25 years.

But Palin does come with some political baggage. In July the Alaska state legislature began a probe to determine whether Palin tried to have a state official fire her ex-brother-in-law, an Alaskan state trooper.

McCain's pick is likely to please conservatives in the GOP – she's strongly anti-abortion, supports capital punishment (during a gubernatorial debate she said "My goodness, hang 'em up, yeah,” when asked if murderers of children should be executed) and she's the mother of five children. While Palin opposes same sex marriage, she vetoed legislation that would have barred the state from providing benefits to same sex couples.

-- Mark Young

DENVER--Conventions are supposed to be optimistic and uplifting, and Thursday night’s event was chalk-full of images and moments that give the sense of a candidate moving forward and moving up.

First off, the place was full (mostly). To see the magnitude of the event, one had to look up. Obama’s gaze, which always seems to be about 30 degrees above the horizon line, had to tilt even higher to see all the people who came out to hear him accept the nomination. Critics may charge “elitism” for a nose-in-the-air look, but Obama’s stare always appears thoughtful, as if seeing a vision of where his going.

Secondly, the Roman style architecture at Invesco made for a set that, in veiled ways, resembled dusk at the White House. The warm lighting and window-paned set design made the Bidens and Obamas look comfortable, nearly at home, and their joint walk from that set toward the front of the stage again gave an impression of an emergence, something new coming from an important place – that White House-esque set.

And lastly, the explosive fireworks. The sparks sailing into the sky one after the other for minutes on end again forced one to look up. Besides the concept of openness and the sheer size of the crowd the outdoor venue allowed, those fireworks were the biggest payoff for using Mile High. Think about it. Every single political convention ends the the same. Music plays, candidates hug and balloons fall. Assuming the balloon drop even works, and is timed right, the best case scenario image is of something coming down -- nothing going up.

Sure, Obama had confetti and the same overplayed Brooks and Dunn song, “Only in America” at his conclusion, but for the candidate of change anything else inside or staid would have run counter to the unique type of politician and political organizer that he is.

Faith

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine quoted from the bible and called on the crowd to move mountains. A pastor closed a prayer, saying “In Jesus’ name we pray,” while offering the assembled masses the opportunity to conclude the day in accordance with their own tradition.

And beyond the stage, it was hard to miss the spirituality many people brought to the historic occasion.

As Obama wrapped up and the confetti blew over, Robert Washington of Atlanta shouted, “Yes! Thank you, Jesus. Thank you.”

And just a few rows in front of him Don Wilson wiped a tear and said, “God Bless America.”

Funny

Funny hats and political costumes can get a little cliché at these quadrennial affairs, but nothing beats a new joke, especially

The laugh line of the night was delivered by Barney Smith, a former Repuublican who lost his job at an RCA TV manufacturing plant in Marion, Ind. In a short speech about the state of the economy, Smith said, “America can't afford more of the same. We need a president who puts the Barney Smiths before the Smith Barneys.

The crowd went nuts, chanting, “Barn-ey, Barney” as Smith closed out his remarks.

Independents

In a campaign that Obama insists is about you and not him, the country and not the political parties, the senator succeeded in finding a middle path that could serve him well through the general election as he talked of patriotism having no party.

“The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America - they have served the United States of America.”

The crowd began chanting “U-S-A, U-S-A.” That cheer, coupled with the waiving American flags and fact the only campaign signs in the audience said “CHANGE,” (not Obama’s name),

That new tact to reach independent voters and even Republicans in states the Democratic party had previously written off seemed to already have visible results during the stadium speech.

Even when Obama talked gun control -- saying, “don't tell me we can't uphold the Second Amendment while keeping AK-47s out of the hands of criminals” -- the gun-friendly Montana delegation gave him a standing ovation.

--Neil Simon

As we told you earlier in the week, Hollywood was out in force throughout Denver.

But they weren’t just partying. Several celebrities also were at Invesco to hear Obama’s speech.

I caught these stars as they were heading out of the building.





This is the worst shot, but that’s Jessica Alba in the middle.




Fergie. The pea, not the duchess.




Actress Kerry Washington




Actress Rosario Dawson.


-- Amy Dominello

Some photos from the Obama speech.




The view from where the Alabama delegation was seated on the floor early in the night at Invesco Field.


For a taste of the pre-Obama atmosphere, watch this video:








T.E. Austin, of Durham, N.C., dressed to impress.




The back of a shirt worn by Alabama state senator Quinton Ross, of Montgomery.




Barbara Ann Howard of Tuskegee, Ala., and her many pins.




An Obama supporter sends a text message as part of the campaign’s request to spread their message.




Flag-waving before Obama goes on stage.



Nothing like a tattoo to declare your political allegiance.



Fireworks and confetti illuminate the night sky after Obama’s speech.

-- Amy Dominello

Thu, August 28, 2008 - 11:07 PM

Alabama

- Bobby Singleton a state senator from Greensboro, Ala., teared up several times during the speech. Obama’s nomination showed how much African-Americans have overcome, he said.

“It shows that we have arrived,” Singleton said.

- “I thought the speech was great and he touched on all the important issues that people are concerned about,” said Joyce Rice, of West Blocton, Ala.

- “I thought it was awesome,” said Quinton Ross, a state senator from Montgomery, Ala. “He has energized the Democratic Party to go out and send his message to the people for change in America and it’s going to happen.”

Colorado

- “It was a proud feeling, a feeling of hope for the future, a feeling we’re going to see change in the country,” said Malee Craft, of Denver, Colo.

Georgia

- Robert Washington, of Atlanta, Ga., was hugging anyone near him after Obama’s speech ended. “Yes. Thank you, Jesus, thank you,” he shouted.

“It’s saying the world is starting anew,” Washington said. “No doubt, we’ll do it in November. It’s not done yet.”

- Don Wilson, of Marietta, Ga., was crying throughout the end of Obama’s remarks.
“God bless America, God bless America,” he yelled, standing on his chair.

“I’m just so overwhelmed,” Wilson said. “This is the greatest thing second to my child being born.”

- “I came away with the feeling this is not optional. We have to do this, not just for the country, but for the world,” said Beth Perera, of Centerville, Ga.

Missouri

- “This is remarkable. I kept thinking of my dad and mom who always said this would never happen in their lifetime, and I’m blessed to say it’s happened in mine,” said Rev. Earl Nance, Jr., of St. Louis, Mo.

- “It’s wonderful. It’s really history in the making. It’s just beautiful,” said Bill Richardson, of Leeton, Mo., with tears in his eyes and wearing a union jacket

North Carolina

- “It was history, something we’ve been waiting years for,” said Ed Booth, of Washington, N.C. “We’ve got to go home and continue to work to make change we so need.”

- “This changes everything for all of us,” said Mike Nelson, 45, of Hillsborough, N. C., mentioning his five and six-year-old nephew and niece. “This means they live in a very different world than I do. After tonight it’s a very, very different world than they had last week.”

- “They really brought the party together” said Erica Smith, a Clinton supporter from Mount Airy, N.C.

South Carolina

- “We’re going to win in November,” said Marilyn Hemingway, of Georgetown, S.C.
“We’re going to take this country back.”

- Susan Smith, of Pawley’s Island, S.C., on her love of conventions: “It’s better than Christmas.”

Virginia:

- “I’m just so happy to see our participation. I hope everyone stays energizes,” said Lisa Jones, of Arlington, Va. “The opportunity is here; I know he’s prepared.”

--Compiled by Amy Dominello and Neil Simon

The Associated Press reports the figure from city officials. The stadium usually holds 76,000 but seats were placed on the football field.
-- Marsha Mercer

There's a lot more about McCain, politics of the past, change and the promise and spirit of America. Now everybody gets what they mean about Obama being a tough game player who hates to lose.

The speech ended at 8:56 p.m. MDT, 42 minutes of fire, followed by fireworks, streamers, confetti, stirring movie music. Obama is joined onstage by his family and the Bidens and And they all walk into the White House.

It's going to be a good couple of months.

-- Marsha Mercer

Biggest cheers of the night come when Obama goes after McCain and his judgment.

"That's what I've been waiting for," shouts Bobby Singleton of Alabama.

For those who want specifics, he's got some. He outlines a laundry list of what change would be like in an Obama administration. I'm sure everybody will go over these at length in days to come.

But the surprise of this speech is Obama's willingness to go toe-to-toe with his Republican opponent. He's spending a lot of this speech goading McCain. Is he trying to arouse th

"If John McCain wants to have a debate about who has the temperament, and judgment, to serve as the next commander-in-chief, that's a debate I'm ready to have." Now, that's a challenge McCain won't be able to resist.

And, he's evidently been reading up on the Republican National Convention that starts next week. The GOP convention's overall theme is "Country First."

"I've got news for you, John McCain. We all put our country first."

Touche.

-- Marsha Mercer

The crowd instantly took up Obama's "eight is enough" line and started chanting it.

-- Amy Dominello

Tears from some as Obama accepts the nomination.

And then laughter as the Obama girls ham it up for the camera.

Flashbulb mania as Obama comes on stage to thunderous applause.

Everyone has got their cellphones out snapping pictures to send home.

It is rocking in here.

-- Amy Dominello

As soon as the video ended, Obama strides from the center door to the podium. He was the only speaker of the day to use that entrance. All the others came from the sides. The crowd explodes in applause, cheers, foot stomping, flagwaving and camera flashes.

At 8:14 p.m. MDT, he accepts the Democratic presidential nomination. And he begins to remind the Democrats what it was that appealed to them four years ago and what brought him to this place.

He uses himself and his personal story as emblematic of the American dream, he quickly goes on the offensive against the Bush years, with John McCain as the heir to the failures. He has the crowd with him as he paints a feel-good vision of America as "a better country than these last years have shown."

Suddenly it's clear why the other speakers this week haven't thrown red meat at the crowd. Obama serves up his brand with eloquence and humor. He confronts the argument that McCain uses that Obama lacks the judgment to be president, noting that McCain has voted with President Bush 90 percent of the time.

"What does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush has been right more than 90 percent of the time? I don't know about you but I'm not willing to take a 10 percent chance on change," he says..

He uses a "damning with faint praise: approach, saying that it's not that McCain doesn't care what's going on in Americans' lives. "I just thihnk he doesn't know."

He says again that it's not that McCain doesn't care -- it's that he doesn't get it.

-- Marsha Mercer

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois is introducing Obama, likening him, of course,to Abraham Lincoln, who, Durbin says, also spoke to a divided nation.

It’s nearly dark now, and the flashes of cameras in the stands look like fireflies on steroids.

He’s waxing poetic about the dawning of a new day. “We should take the message from this Mile High City to every corner of this land…”

And he draws the crowd into a chant, “Yes we can!”

Show time! The Obama bio video begins.

-- Marsha Mercer