Delegate Dispatch: Convention Kickoff

Mon, August 25, 2008 - 2:22 PM

Another early start to the day today. My oldest daughter, Grace Battle, began her first day of school as a third grader today. It was difficult for me not to be there so I woke up at 5:30am MDT to call back to home to North Carolina and wish her good luck. I can assure you that my wife, Heather, was shocked that I could get out of bed that early! I was also able to speak with my youngest daughter May who urged me to come home soon.

I did sneak a little more sleep in before the North Carolina Delegation convened for its first caucus. Our state's leading Democratic politicians - Congressman David Price, Congressman Bob Etheridge, Congressman Brad Miller, Congressman G.K. Butterfield, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, Speaker Joe Hackney, Senator Tony Rand, Senator Doug Berger, Representative Ty Harrell, Representative Pricey Harrison, Representative Tricia Cotham, Representative Martha Alexander and Representative Earline Parmon - were present as delegates along with the other members of our delegation and many other NC Democrats. Chairman Jerry Meek and several other speakers urged the assembled delegates to take their enthusiasm back home to North Carolina for the November campaign.

Our keynote speaker this morning was Lt. Governor Bill Halter of Arkansas, a rising star in the Democratic Party. Governor Halter worked for Bill Clinton when he was both Governor and President. He is in Denver as a delegate for Hillary Clinton. Governor Halter set the tone for unity by expressing his full support for Barack Obama which elicited cheers from the Obama and Clinton delegates. He talked about the role that the Democratic Party has played in protecting our citizens and stressed the importance of having Barack Obama continue that work as President.

I am growing tired of the media reports of conflict between Clinton and Obama. Everyone needs to take a step back and actually listen to what Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are saying. They are united and they are working together. The noise of dissent is coming from the fringes of their supporters. Bill and Hillary Clinton have both said they will do everything they can for Barack Obama. I anticipate that their speeches on Tuesday and Wednesday will indicate just how strongly they support him.

I am now going to jump on the light rail and head downtown. Tonight promises to be an exciting convention session with a speech from Michelle Obama and a tribute to Senator Ted Kennedy. All eyes will be on Mrs. Obama as this is an opportunity for the American voters to get to know her. I have no doubt that she will give the speech of her life tonight and win many new fans. Senator Kennedy is in Denver and will be in the convention hall tonight transforming what was a planned video tribute to him to an actual address by him. Despite his battle with brain cancer, Sen. Kennedy is going to stand at the podium and set a strong tone for the week. I am sure there will not be a dry eye in the house.

Time to get off the computer and head to the convention. Look for more reports from the Pepsi Center tonight

-- R. Bruce Thompson, II

R. Bruce Thompson, II is an attorney in Raleigh, N.C.