Live from the floor of the DNC-Day 2

Val McCall, delegate from W. Hartford (4.00 / 1)

Val McCall, delegate from W. Hartford and a volunteer state chair of the Obama campaign, is sitting behind me. I asked her  what she thought of Michelle's speech last night, She said, "It was inspiring. She shared her values, her ethic of working hard,and giving back to the community. Having those kinds of values embedded in the lives of the people who will live in the White House is key. We are going to revive this country by building from the bottom up."

I asked Ms. McCall what she thought of Hillary's campaign. She said,  "I think ran a tremendous campaign. Her campaign has meant a lot in this eighty-eighth year of women having the right to vote. Having her get so far is something we can all celebrate.  I know in my heart that whatever words she uses, she will express that this is one family. The Democratic party is one family. The primary is like a brother/sister fight, if you will. Now, it's time for this family to unite and be the solid family that we are."

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by: saziz577 @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 19:54:20 PM CDT

Don Williams from Brooklyn (4.00 / 1)

I asked Don Williams what he thought of the convention so far. He said he thought it was terrific and that we were all inspired by the outpouring of emotion during Ted Kennedy's speech and Caroline's introduction. He also thought Michelle's speech was great in the way she was able to reintroduce herself to the American people. He was inspired by the outpouring of emotion at Kennedy's speech and Caroline's introduction. I asked him what he expected from Hillary's speech. He said he expected her to express a message of Democratic unity behind Barack Obama. He also expected the crowd to affirm that her place within the party is still very highly valued.

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by: saziz577 @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 20:04:16 PM CDT

Ellen Camhi, delegate from Stamford (0.00 / 0)

I asked her what she thought of the convention so far and she said, "It's been fantastic. I love way they showed the brilliance of the Obama family--both Michelle and Barack. The media said that the Democrats wasted yesterday because they didn't take any shots at McCain but I thought that yesterday was important because it presented such a positive and meaningful picture of the Obama family."

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by: saziz577 @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 20:09:22 PM CDT

any news on the protests outside? (0.00 / 0)

I only saw one particularly nasty clip on Huff Pro, 100 people were arrested

I think these are the 'anarchists' who were going to prevent delegates from entering the arena for the DNC.

A misguided group IMHO but still some scary images.  

.Adding Another Dimension of Vituperation Toxicity to Blogging since 1999!.

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by: nolopro @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 20:26:47 PM CDT

Only 100?!? (0.00 / 0)

During the 2004 Republican National Convention, 1800 people were arrested.

a record for a political convention in the U.S. [1] However 90% of those charges were eventually dropped.

The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice. --Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: connecticutyankee @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 20:35:24 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

alot of protestors were let go without arrest (0.00 / 0)

but the video is pretty scary.  

.Adding Another Dimension of Vituperation Toxicity to Blogging since 1999!.

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by: nolopro @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:58:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I saw some (0.00 / 0)

I saw a small contingent of die-hard Hillary supporters protesting but I don't see too many protests close to the Pepsi Center.

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by: saziz577 @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 20:41:49 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

The next senator of Virginia (0.00 / 0)

is speaking. The keynote address.

The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice. --Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: connecticutyankee @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 20:40:32 PM CDT

"In four months... (0.00 / 0)

we could actually have an administration which believes in science."

The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice. --Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: connecticutyankee @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 20:57:32 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

The center is packed (0.00 / 0)

The Pepsi Center seems much more packed today than yesterday. There are people standing on the stairs in the aisles. A delegate from Washington asked me if she could sit in the empty seat next to me since there was no space in her area. The seat next to me was saved for someone else. There is hardly any room to walk in the aisles.  

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by: saziz577 @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 20:58:42 PM CDT

They're waiting for Hillary to speak (0.00 / 0)

as much as the rest of the country are.

The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice. --Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: connecticutyankee @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:06:43 PM CDT

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Connectivity issues (0.00 / 0)

I took many pictures from my iPhone but I am having trouble sending them. I think the networks here are jammed with so many people trying to use them. People are standing up to cheer Deval Patrick.  

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by: saziz577 @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:01:27 PM CDT

Hey Sarah! (0.00 / 0)

I'm so jealous of you guys being there!  I bet it must be awesome.   I don't know what your plans are, but it would be great if you and Tessa and Mike wanted to stop by Naples next wednsday at 7 to give a debriefing to DFA New Haven.  Bring Jen and anybody else from the CT delegation that wants to come, I think it would generate a lot of interest and be a lot of fun for those of us who wish we could have been there.  Whaddyathink? Lemme know.
-Justin


Iraq War: BIG mistake.

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by: mainmonkey @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:03:20 PM CDT

I would love to come (0.00 / 0)

I would love to attend your meeting next week--I may have to bring my four month old baby, though. Hopefully, by then, I'll have her dressed up in an Obama '08 onesie.

It's very frustrating to blog live here because I have so many pictures that I want to send but I can't send them. Also, I can't move around within our section to interview people not sitting near me because the aisles are so  packed. I think I need to interview CT delegates during our morning breakfasts and save their responses to blog about during the evenings.

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by: saziz577 @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:07:46 PM CDT

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Holding Back from Outside the Perimeter (0.00 / 0)

I am not in the Pepsi Center, as we are all sharing one badge. Kudos to Sarah for calm amidst the storm. My claustrophobia is assuaged...

I have written a rather long post about some of the experiences I had today, but have sent them along to CTBlogger to post for me after the Convention speeches end and Sarah gets out of there. Due to difficulties with logistics, it is hard to live blog throughout the day. Batteries keep running out...much walking in the hot sun must be endured...I am feeling cranky...Headed for R&R tonight at the DFA party. More Later.

Thank You Thank You Sarah!

"I am not a Blogger...But I play one on the internet."

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by: tessa @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:09:59 PM CDT

no, thank YOU (0.00 / 0)

Thank YOU so much, Tessa for giving me your floor pass! I'll never forget these moments and all your care and guidance during this convention. My mom appreciates it, too, and she's planning a delicious Indian feast for you in Stamford upon our return to CT.

Tessa is right about the weather...it really wears us down. The Pepsi Center is at least half an hour away from downtown (with traffic) and sometimes, it's taken me up to an hour to get to and from the Pepsi Center to downtown. Lugging all the computer equipment and cameras isn't easy in the hot weather when all the various venues are so far spread apart from each other.

As a South Asian-American, I didn't think it was possible for me to get sunburned--but I think I'm actually getting sunburned. My face has taken on a pinkish hue lately.

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by: saziz577 @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:15:57 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Denver is closer to the sun. (0.00 / 0)

Hydrate! hydrate! hydrate! And, SPF 15 or higher should be the order for tomorrow.

The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice. --Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: connecticutyankee @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:18:46 PM CDT

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Pictures (0.00 / 0)

Since I can't send the pictures I'm taking now, I'll show some more pictures I took yesterday. Check out:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2...

Right now, people are cheering Schweitzer

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by: saziz577 @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:11:50 PM CDT

CPTV (0.00 / 0)

is better with showing more of the convention speakers without the interrupting punditocracy.

The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice. --Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: connecticutyankee @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:14:28 PM CDT

C-span is a godsend (0.00 / 0)

or if you're away from your tee vee, cnn.com has streaming video.

"I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to it."

-Lawrence Summers

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by: joesaho @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:19:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

People are loudly booing McCain (0.00 / 0)

Schweitzer is talking about McCain's lousy energy policies and the whole crowd is loudly booing at the sound of McCain's name.  

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by: saziz577 @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:19:19 PM CDT

Here's some pictures from the floor of the convention from Sarah's iphone (4.00 / 1)

Senator Dodd

State Rep. Jason Bartlett and State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier (people in the background: New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, soon-to-be speaker of the house Chris Donovan. Even further back, Congressman Joe Courtney).

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by: ctblogger @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:20:44 PM CDT

These photos are from yesterday n/t (0.00 / 0)

Photos from today are forthcoming

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by: saziz577 @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:21:50 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Schweitzer!!! (0.00 / 0)

he should have given the keynote speaker!

The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice. --Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: connecticutyankee @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:26:34 PM CDT

Wow (0.00 / 0)

Schweitzer really worked up the crowd...

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by: ctblogger @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:27:06 PM CDT

Video clips of Hillary appear on the big screen (0.00 / 0)

Crowd stands up and GOES WILD when Hillary gets on screen.

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by: saziz577 @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:29:10 PM CDT

Hillary speaks (0.00 / 0)

Her message of unity and support for Barack Obama meets with wild applause. Crowd still standing

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by: saziz577 @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:37:43 PM CDT

"No way, no how... (4.00 / 1)

no McCain."

Great line from Clinton.

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by: ctblogger @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:39:47 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Who would have thunk? (4.00 / 1)

Hillary would be lead attack dog against McCain! Go get them Hillary! The speech so far is stunning!

The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice. --Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: connecticutyankee @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:55:53 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hillary slams McCain to resounding applause (0.00 / 0)

Hillary slams McCain for not supporting equal pay for equal work. Her comment about McCain and Bush spending time in the twin cities because they are like twins meets with wild applause.

The crowd is still standing. I can't see the stage directly so I'm watching a small tv screen located next to me in the section alloted to the CT delegation.  

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by: saziz577 @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:55:06 PM CDT

Hillary is getting a lot of love from the crowd tonight (0.00 / 0)

Hillary is doing a great job of uniting Democrats. Standing crowd bursting in cheers every 30 seconds.

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by: saziz577 @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:56:46 PM CDT

Hilllary found her voice! (0.00 / 0)

Wow! Call me impressed!

The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice. --Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: connecticutyankee @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:58:13 PM CDT

she had that voice all along (0.00 / 0)

she's a trooper and she's tough.

I really admire this woman  

.Adding Another Dimension of Vituperation Toxicity to Blogging since 1999!.

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by: nolopro @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 22:00:03 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Nolo, I have respected and admired Hillary (0.00 / 0)

before the primaries. During the primaries--as it always is the case--too much dirt were flung around. After the primaries, IMHO, Hillary Clinton has handled her situation superbly.

Only if Bill Clinton could do the same. Let's see what happens tomorrow and on campaign trail.

The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice. --Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: connecticutyankee @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 22:49:45 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Best speech from Clinton EVER (4.00 / 1)

Too many sound bites to mention.

Three words: She nailed it.

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by: ctblogger @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:59:14 PM CDT

Hillary (4.00 / 2)

I thought Hillary gave the speech of her life when she conceded the primaries to Barack--but I was wrong.

Hillary gave the speech of her life tonight and I'm honored and thrilled to be able to say I was able to witness it live.

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by: saziz577 @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 21:59:25 PM CDT

More pics from the floor during Clinton's speech (0.00 / 0)

What a night...I'm jealous of Sarah right now.

Don Williams

AG Richard Blumenthal.

Steve Fontana and other CT delegates.

...more to come!

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by: ctblogger @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 22:09:26 PM CDT

What was your favorite part of Clinton's speech? (0.00 / 0)

I'll start:

"No way, no how, no McCain"

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by: ctblogger @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 22:11:28 PM CDT

My favorite (0.00 / 0)

was when she asked her supporters if whether they really in it just for her or for the people SHE was fighting for.

The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice. --Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: connecticutyankee @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 22:15:59 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hillary Quote (4.00 / 1)

I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?

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by: Scarce @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 22:21:41 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Politics is a process (0.00 / 0)

And shifting your energies from your favorite to the next best thing is a process. Been there done that. Fell in love wih Dean, but ended up marrying Kerry.

At the very least, Hillary Clinton has helped her true supporters to realize that in Obama they will be able "to keep moving!"

The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice. --Martin Luther King, Jr.

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by: connecticutyankee @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 22:33:01 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Agreed (0.00 / 0)

I really liked that she made that point.

"I haven't spent the past 35 years in the trenches advocating for children, campaigning for universal health care, helping parents balance work and family and fighting for women's rights here at home and around the world . . . to see another Republican in the White House squander our promise of a country that really fulfills the hopes of our people.

And you haven't worked so hard over the last 18 months, or endured the last eight years, to suffer through more failed leadership."

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by: chele @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 22:32:55 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Another classic line... (0.00 / 0)

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by: ctblogger @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 22:28:39 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Easy (0.00 / 0)

The Harriet Tubman quote...

If you hear the dogs, keep going.

If you see the torches in the woods, keep going.

If they're shouting after you, keep going.

Don't ever stop. Keep going.

If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.

Even in the darkest of moments, ordinary Americans have found the faith to keep going.

I've seen it in you. I've seen it in our teachers and firefighters, nurses and police officers, small business owners and union workers, the men and women of our military - you always keep going.

We are Americans. We're not big on quitting.

But remember, before we can keep going, we have to get going by electing Barack Obama president.

We don't have a moment to lose or a vote to spare.

Nothing less than the fate of our nation and the future of our children hang in the balance.

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by: Gabe @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 22:37:55 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

These were good too (0.00 / 0)

"Jobs lost, houses gone, falling wages, rising prices. The Supreme Court in a right-wing headlock and our government in partisan gridlock. The biggest deficit in our nation's history. Money borrowed from the Chinese to buy oil from the Saudis."

"To restore fiscal sanity to Washington and make our government an instrument of the public good, not of private plunder."

Jeez, I've almost forgiven her -- it sure was one heck of a speech!

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by: chele @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 22:38:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]