From the Convention Floor

Today was a busy but very fun day in Denver.  First I went to a book signing with former Hutchinson News Photographer Pete Souza.  He recently published a book  describing the rise of Barack Obama.  It is a very well done book and I would really recommend it if you do not know the story of Barack Obama.

Tonight at the convention I really had some of the best seats in the house.  I was sitting just about ten feet away from President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn.  I have never been that close to a former President.  Seeing Governor Sebelius speak really made me proud to be a Kansan.  Her speech really put Kansas on the spotlight with the Governor being the center.

The title of my post is a quote from Senator Hillary Clinton’s speech.  First, I would like to take a personal moment to thank Hillary Clinton for running an amazing campaign and getting so close to breaking the final glass ceiling.  Wow! I am still in shock over Hillary’s speech.  When she entered, the hall light up with excitement.  You could really feel it in the air.  The person sitting next to me immediatly broke into tears.  Although she supported Hillary Clinton in the primary and she is sad to see her lose, she is ready to come together and elect Barack Obama.  I really felt that this was a speech that will truly help unite the party.  She really did exactly what she needed to do.  I still have not and do not anticipate finding anything wrong with her speech.  If this does not turn the remaining Hillary supporters I do not think that anything will.  She really was amazing.

Last night Ted Kennedy made a surprise appearance.  It was a truly memorable experience.  Being the lion of the Senate it was a really special experience to see him in person.  When he walked out on the stage the crowd roared with excitment.  Just showing up would have been enough for me but he gave a truly powerful and exciting speech.  I know that it really took a lot for him to be there and it really was special to see him.  What really struck me was when he promised to be in the Senate next year pushing forward a President Obama’s agenda.  When I look back on this experience, his speech will be one of the moments that I will be telling my grandchildren about.  Soon after Sen. Kennedy’s speech, Michelle Obama came on the stage.  There was hardly a dry eye in the audience.  She introduced herself to the American people.  I felt like her speech was personal and from the heart.  But she was later upstaged by her adorable daughters.  If the rest of the convention is as good as last night was then I will come away from this with a truly memorable experience that I will never forget.

Gov. Howard Dean opened the convention this afternoon, calling us to order at 3 p.m. Colorado time. He turned the gavel over to Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the U.S. House.
Pelosi’s comments of “Barack Obama is right and John McCain is wrong” rang throughout the convention hall.
From my vantage point, I can see the television anchors, Charlie Gibson, Anderson Cooper and Tom Brokaw. I’m sitting above the Massachusetts delegation.
At about 6 pm, Bill Maher, my favorite commentator, was being interviewed about 20 feet from me.
The scene has been one of a giant celebration all day.
Former President Jimmy Carter made a short, but memorable appearance. Of course, he was president before I was even born.
Jesse Jackson Jr., made a powerful speech about the historic nature of this event.
Sen. Ted Kennedy’s appearance electrified the convention hall. I’ll have more about him later.

Last night was my first night in Denver.  I had my first light rail experience in Denver.  The public transportation system is really cool, it is quick efficient and good for the environment.  We took the light rail down to the Colorado Convention Center to go to the reception honoring the Katrina Relief organizations.  There was good New Orleans jazz.  There was also some traditional New Orleans food with jambalya and crawfish macaroni.  After Howard Dean spoke I left and came back to the hotel.  There was a welcome reception for the North Carolina and Kansas delegation.  Lt. Governor Mark Parkinson made an appearance.  This morning was the first breakfast and the guest speaker was Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer.  He was really a hoot, a no nonsense kind of guy.  He talked about how the Democrats in Montana won the Governor’s seat and control of the state house and state senate.  His message was you have to be down in the trenches to get Democrats elected.  Today I do not have anything planned until the convention, beginning at 3pm.  I just heard Ted Kennedy is going to be at the convention tonight.  I am really excited to see how tonight pans out.

Sean

I have arrived in Denver.  It is very exciting here the town is a buzz about the convention.  Everywhere you go you see signs of the convention.  From the buses to the light poles being decorated with national convention flags.  Tonight I am going to a reception honoring the Katrina Relief Organizations.  Then I am headed on to the Kansas welcome reception.  Tomorrow I am really looking forward to the special night for the Kennedy’s at the convention.  When I arrived I realized that I was in the same hotel as the North Carolina delegation.  So far there have been no Roy Williams comments but I do plan on wearing my 2008 National Championship T-Shirt.

Sean