DNC – Day 4 Live Blog
Thanks to all who participated in our live blogging this week!
We’ll be live blogging the RNC next week as well.
Read the complete transcript from tonight’s discussion during the final session of the 2008 Democratic National Convention…
5:14 The crowds are filing into INVESCO stadium
5:15 the program is running a little behind schedule
5:19 Coverage on CNN and CSPAN begins at 6pm
Coverage on MSNBC begins at 7pm
5:23 Presently, the Younder Mountain String Band is playing
5:25 yonder mountain, that is
5:27 the theme tonight is “Change you can believe in”
5:42 The speakers have started – veterans
5:46 ooh safety video
5:47 the delegations are seated on the field. supporters are in the stands
5:48 Luis Guierrez, rep illinois
5:50 a call to Latinos and immigrants
5:52 David Plouffe
5:53 Obama Campaign Manager
5:53 opening up the convention to America – is what this campaign is about
5:54 This weekend – is the “weekend for change” – a massive voter registration drive
5:55 Just in PA there are more than 300,000 new registered democrats
5:57 Ray Rivera – state director for Colorado
5:59 there are phone banks right in the stadium
5:59 if spectators make 12 calls to let people know about tonight’s speech – they can win a seat on the floor
6:01 Rep. Jan Shackowsky of Illinois has taken the mic
6:03 Nancy Pelosi
6:04 Speaker of the House and chair of the convention
6:04 calling to order the closing convention session
6:05 Invocation by Rabbi David Saperstein
6:10 Olympic Gymnast, Shawn Johnson leads the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance
6:10 Jennifer Hudson sings the National Anthem
6:17 Elbra Wedgeworth
6:17 president/chair of Denver host committee
6:18 DNC Vice Chairs
6:18 Linda Chavez-Thompson
6:18 Mike Honda
6:18 Lottie Shakelford
6:19 Susan Turnbull
6:19 Presentation of Resolutions
6:19 First – to the Denver FIrst Responders – keeping the conventioneers safe
6:20 The DNC honors all of the first responders
6:20 first resolution is adopted
6:21 Resolution – recognizing the host state – Denver and Colorad
6:21 Colorado
6:24 recognizing Governor Ritter of Colorado
6:26 Colorado Governor, Bill Ritter, Jr
6:31 touting the american west
6:33 Congressman Ed Perlmmutter (colorado)
6:35 speaks of changes to energy plan –
6:35 and green energy in Colorado
6:36 John Salazar – Rep. Colorado
6:38 Diana DeGette, Colorado Congresswoman
6:39 today is the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr’s “I have a dream” speech
6:39 2 of his children will be speaking at the convention this evening
6:42 the stadium is filling up
6:42 Howard Dean video
6:43 The convention is now ahead of schedule – Howard Dean is not scheduled to speak until 7pm
6:44 of course, that’s just 15 minutes away
6:45 Dean takes the stage
6:46 the former governor of Vermont ran for president in 2004
6:46 He is now Chair of the DNC
6:48 Next up is the tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
6:49 Representative John Lewis (GA), the Rev. Bernice King and Martin Luther King III will be making remarks
6:50 The tribute will be followed up by a speech by Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico –
6:50 Richardson was once considered a front runner for the VP nod
6:50 Tonight’s program will also feature more music acts
7:44 [Comment From Laura]
Okay, finally my CSPAN is working again. I just spent much of the past hour on the phone with Comcast trying to get it fixed, so I missed the MLK tribute. Dang.
7:45 So, Bill Richardson is now scheduled to speak around 8:30pm
7:46 Some more music – from Sheryl Crow
7:47 Clever choice of song (a change would do us good)
7:50 [Comment From Laura]
Did she just change some lines?
7:50 yes – for one thing – it’s not “us”
7:51 [Comment From Laura]
I think she changed something else in there, too, maybe an inappropriate line or two she gave a little “tweak” to clean up
7:52 [Comment From Laura]
this is a good one, too
7:53 John McCain’s “job well done” ad will air tonight in “battleground” states. In the ad he congratulates Obama “on this historic day”
7:53 [Comment From Laura]
I guess that means it’ll be on here in PA
7:54 I’m sure that it will soon be on You Tube – regardless
7:55 We’ll be sure to post it on OVM as soon as it does!
7:55 wow. this is a concert
7:57 CNN has posted portions of Obama’s speech – as released by the campaign
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/28/obamas-acceptance-speech-we-are-a-better-country-than-this/#more-15167
7:59 [Comment From Laura]
It would be so cool to be in Mile High Stadium tonight.
8:04 rep Mark Udall, Colorado
8:04 running for the US Senate
8:08 Virginia Governor, Tim Kaine
8:09 Kaine was vetted for the VIce Presidency – on the very short list
8:11 He went to Harvard Law School
8:11 Was born in Minnesota and grew up in Missouri
8:12 He spent a year in Honduras
8:13 He asks the Democrats to put their faith into action
8:14 bill richardson is next
8:14 Governor of New Mexico
8:15 Richardson was the chairman of the 2004 DNC
8:16 He has served as a US congressman, UN Ambassador, and Secretary of Energy
8:17 “John McCain may pay $100 for his shoes – but we’re the ones who will pay for his flip flops”
8:22 [Comment From Laura]
Oh, I won’t look. I want to be surprised!
8:22 [Comment From Laura]
“I can see clearly now” great song!
8:24 The band is playing BonJovi
8:28 by band, I mean “PA”
8:30 Stevie Wonder is on the stage
8:30 [Comment From Laura]
Yea, go Stevie!!
8:31 [Comment From Laura]
McCain could never get entertainment this cool.
8:31 I’m thinking that the GOP will be featuring a different genre
8:32 Al Gore is the next speaker
8:33 [Comment From Laura]
You mean McCain’s beloved ABBA?
8:33 exactly
8:34 [Comment From Laura]
I keep thinking he let cindy help him with the list of favorite songs
8:34 See that girl
8:34 watch that scene
8:37 I’m sure that Obama hopes to be singing this song in November
8:37 [Comment From Laura]
Signed, Sealed, Delivered!!
8:38 [Comment From Laura]
I want to see him dance to it with Michelle at the Inaugural Ball!
8:39 [Comment From Laura]
Think Obama’s clapping along backstage someplace?
8:40 doing the Ellen Dance?
8:40 [Comment From Laura]
Ellen probably is!
8:41 Video about cancer and health care
8:42 [Comment From Laura]
Haven’t you heard? McCain’s health care advisor says everything’s fine and no one is really uninsured?
8:43 That’s probably why his plan would eliminate the employer tax credit for health care –
8:44 AL GORE IS ON STAGE
8:44 Nobel Peace Prize Winner – Former Vice President and Senator from Tennessee
8:45 did he borrow Bill’s tie?
8:45 [Comment From Laura]
You know, technically he’s kind of the incumbent.
8:45 he’s been a bit absentee
8:46 plus, george did win in 2004
8:46 [Comment From Laura]
Yeah, but you know what I mean . . .
8:48 [Comment From Laura]
love the recycling line
8:55 Many speakers (such as Hillary Clinton) have stayed away from the topic of choice – Al Gore did not
8:56 [Comment From Laura]
Yep. I think maybe one other person has mentioned it
8:57 Gore reminds us that when Lincoln took office – his experience consisted of 8 years in state legislature and one term in the Senate
8:57 [Comment From Laura]
Obama = Lincoln
8:58 Michelle seems a little more stable than Mary Todd
8:59 [Comment From Laura]
Okay, even Britney is more stable than poor Mary Todd
9:00 [Comment From Laura]
I like using Let the Sun Shine In for Al
9:00 better than “it’s getting hot in here”?
9:01 [Comment From Laura]
Oh, lord — that would have been hilarious
9:01 or “hot, hot, hot”?
9:02 conga line anyone?
9:03 [Comment From Laura]
“Heat Wave”
9:03 [Comment From Laura]
“I’ll Stop the World and Melt With You” and your polar ice caps
9:04 [Comment From Laura]
“Ice Ice Baby”
9:04 I wonder if gore plays the game “you’re getting warmer” with his grandkids?
9:05 Michael McDonald – sings America the Beautiful
9:06 none of our suggestions
9:07 but a good song, all the same – and, i believe, inspired by Colorado
9:07 [Comment From Laura]
Yeah but it’s a good “pretty nature” patriotic song
9:08 [Comment From Laura]
Don’t you know Amerigo Vespucci would love this?
9:09 Si
9:09 [Comment From Laura]
Michael McDonald looks like Kenny Rogers without the scary plastic surgery
9:10 [Comment From Laura]
Living wage? What’s that? 5 million?
9:11 Next on the stage is Susan Eisenhower
9:11 Dwight Eisenhower’s granddaughter
9:12 [Comment From Laura]
More Lincoln talk
9:13 she is an expert on National Security and the relatinship with Russia
9:14 she is a life long Rep – but this year announced that she is an independent
9:14 [Comment From Laura]
Oooh, she’s getting tough
9:14 Her husband is a former Russian space scientist
9:15 Her brother (Dwight David II) is married to Julie Nixon
9:16 Now taking the stage is a group of US Generals and Admirals
9:16 [Comment From Laura]
Here come the Generals!
9:17 Speaking on their behalf is Air Force Major General J. Scott Gration
9:17 [Comment From Laura]
Whoa, this is a LOT Of Generals and Admirals
9:20 Gration is currently a policy advisor to Barack Obama
9:21 Gration grew up in the DRC – his parents were missionaries
9:21 [Comment From Laura]
MSNBC is talking right over this, as usual
9:21 [Comment From Laura]
and so is CNN
9:22 not surprising
9:23 here comes Joe Biden
9:23 they keep playing “joy to the world” for him – is he a bull frog?
9:24 this is not on the schedule
9:24 [Comment From Laura]
Is this to deal with time issues?
9:25 they’re good on time – they skipped a speaker on the schedule at the top of the hour
9:25 [Comment From Laura]
I was thinking maybe they were ahead
9:25 [Comment From Laura]
I wonder if the talking heads have noticed he’s up there
9:26 but it could be a filler – next up (on the schedule) is “American Voices Program”
9:27 [Comment From Laura]
or maybe just to keep surprises coming?
9:27 Obama is expected to take the stage around 10:15pm (EST) and to speak for about 45 minutes
9:29 Roy Gross
Monica Early
Wes Moore
Janet Lynn Monacco
Nate Fick
Teresa Asenap
Pamela Cash-Roper
Barney Smith
9:36 [Comment From Laura]
Maybe sending Biden up there was a way to try to get the other channels to actually show this part — and . . . they’re talking over it
9:36 [Comment From Laura]
This insurance agent is cute
9:36 [Comment From Laura]
love her little email story
9:36 [Comment From Laura]
Look! It’s one of those mythical uninsured people McCain doesn’t believe in
9:36 Like the easter bunny
9:36 [Comment From Laura]
The education lady from New Mexico is also adorable
9:37 I like her jacket
9:39 [Comment From Laura]
This woman from NC sounds like she’d like to slap a Republican — and she’s another uninsured person. See? They exist!
9:40 so a rep gets the loudest cheer of the night
9:41 [Comment From Laura]
Oh, here’s another ex-Rep
9:42 need a president who puts Barney Smith before Smith Barney
9:42 [Comment From Laura]
Barney Smith — could you find a more ordinary-looking Indiana guy?
9:42 [Comment From Laura]
plaid shirt and all
9:42 “barney barney”
9:42 [Comment From Laura]
Now they’re chanting “Barney!”
9:43 “born in the USA” – not McCain’s theme song
9:45 there’s only one scheduled speaker left before Obama – and it’s 30 minutes before he’s supposed to take the stage
9:45 [Comment From Laura]
Finally, a campaign that uses “Born in the USA” in the RIGHT way
9:47 Colorado state director – Ray Rivera
9:47 in the last hour they’ve had over 30,000 text memberships
9:48 [Comment From Laura]
I think the lady from NC should get a spot on one of the shouting match shows. She’d kick FOX News’s teeth out!
9:50 [Comment From Laura]
I want to see the ordinary
9:50 [Comment From Laura]
I want to see the ordinary Americans from tonight on Stewart/Colbert
9:50 [Comment From Laura]
“Power to the People” right!!!
9:52 Musical intermission
9:56 Next to the stage is Illinois senior senator, Dick Durbin
9:57 Durbin is the Senate Majority Whip
10:02 Video introduction
10:12 [Comment From Laura]
great video
10:12 Barack Obama – takes the stage
10:12 [Comment From Laura]
Wow. What a scene
10:12 [Comment From Laura]
I think he’s almost crying
10:14 [Comment From Laura]
they just won’t stop cheering
10:15 he thanks Howard Dean and Dick Durbin – and he accepts the nomination for president of the united states
10:15 [Comment From Laura]
Oh, his mama would be so proud
10:16 he thanks Hillary Clinton; and Bill CLinton
10:16 Ted Kennedy – who embodies the spirit of service. And to the next vice president of the US, Joe Biden, I thank you
10:16 Joe Biden – one of the finest statesmen
10:17 he thanks Michelle
10:17 good, he remembered the girls
10:17 [Comment From Laura]
Michelle has the kids with her
10:17 [Comment From Laura]
They are so cute
10:18 it is that promise that has always set this country apart
10:18 to ensure that the next generation can achieve their dreams as well
10:18 we meet at one of those defining moments
10:19 America we are better than these last 8 years – we are a better country than this
10:21 “Enough” this moment. this election is our chance to keep in the 21st Century to keep the american promise alive
10:21 [Comment From Laura]
The Katrina reference got a big reaction
10:21 On Novemeber 4th we must stand up and say 8 is enough
10:21 [Comment From Laura]
“EIGHT IS ENOUGH”
10:21 [Comment From Laura]
that’s a good one
10:26 it’s time for us to change america
10:26 it’s time for them to own their failures
10:27 we measure progress by how many people can pay their mortgage, save money, see their income go up
10:28 an economy that honors the dignity of work
10:28 a promise that is the only reason that i am standing here tonight
10:30 [Comment From Laura]
YEA, Grandma Dunham!
10:30 I intend to win this election and keep our promise alive as President
10:31 ours is a promise that says that government will not do everything for us – but do for us what we can not do for ourselves
10:31 help us, not hurt us
10:32 we are responsible for ourselves but that we rise and fall together as one nation
10:32 Change means a tax code that rewards workers and small business owners
10:32 give tax breaks to companies that create jobs
10:33 eliminate cap gains for start ups
10:33 cut taxes for 95%
10:34 set a clear goal – we will end our dependence on oil from the middle east (10 years)
10:34 McCain has said no to alternative energy
10:34 drilling is not a long term solution – not even close
10:35 so energy efficient cars are built right here in america
10:35 wind power, solar power, bioindustries
10:35 5 million jobs that can’t be outsourced
10:36 now is the time to meet our moral obligation – to provide an education
10:36 I will not settle for an america where some kids don’t have that chance
10:37 college for community/military service
10:37 affordable health care
10:37 same coverage that members of congress have (same as Kerry in ‘04)
10:38 get care to those who need it the most
10:38 no one should have to choose between a job and caring for a sick family member
10:38 protection of retirements
10:38 equal pay
10:39 many plans will cost money
10:39 close corporate loopholes
10:39 eliminate programs that don’t work
10:39 can’t afford a 20th century bureaucracy
10:39 each of us must to our part
10:40 individual and mutual responsibility
10:41 ready to face John McCain regarding who’s ready to be Commander in Chief
10:44 We are the party of Roosevelt, and Kennedy – don’t tell me that democrats won’t keep us safe
10:44 we are here to restore that legacy
10:44 I will never hesitate to defend this country
10:45 i will end the war in iraq and defeat the terrorist in afghanistan
10:45 i will restore our moral standing
10:46 these are the policies I will pursue
10:47 we all put our country first
10:48 work will not be easy – tough choices
10:49 [Comment From Laura]
abortion
10:49 [Comment From Laura]
guns
10:49 [Comment From Laura]
gay marriage
10:49 [Comment From Laura]
now he’s hitting the touchy issues
10:52 Change doen’t come from Washington change comes to Washington
10:57 he drew on the message of Dr. King – the idea that we should march together and not turn back
10:59 Thus ends the 2008 Democratic Convention.
Thanks for joining our discussions this week.
10:59
