I almost wasn't one of the 80,000...

By now you have seen or at least heard about the specatacle that was the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention. For the first time since President Kennedy's nomination, a candidate has selected to open his nominating speech to more than the delegates, the press, and a select few of honored guests.

Just a few weeks before the convention and much to the chagrin of the media who had already spent millions of dollars to set up their stages, satelites, and other necessities, the Obama campaign announced that they were going to move their last night of the convention from the 15,000 seat Pepsi Center to the 80,000 seat Invesco Field (aka "Mile High Stadium." This may not sound like a major undertaking, but believe me, it was.

Denver was literally SHUT DOWN. The highway entering and leaving the city was completely shut down, the city was at a stand still. As delegates, we were told that the shuttles that were scheduled to take us to the stadium would cease operating at 2:00. The events didn't even begin until 4:00. Obama's speech wasn't until 8:00. I certainly didn't want to spend my entire day waiting in an empty stadium. I decided I would take the Denver light rail system to Invesco Field around 2:30.

When I arrived at the train station, there were hundreds of people; surprisingly we all fit in the train that was leaving. I wasn't ready for what I found when the train arrived. There was a line that literally went on for at least a mile. As a delegate, I knew that I had some priority to get through; what I didn't know was that the only way to get that priority was to have arrived on the shuttle bus.

When we finally reached the end of the line, some of us noticed that there was a large group of people choosing to cross a bridge (that was also closed to traffic) over I-25 and walk to another side of Invesco Field from where we currently were. Assuming that the lines to the other entrance had to be shorter than the one we were currently looking at, I chose to take my chances. I walked an additional two miles. Security was incredibly tight. There were cops every where; but of course none of them had any answers as to the best place to go.

As I rounded the corner to the other side of Invesco, war protestors began yelling. We followed the line to where we thought it would end, about a half a mile up the road. We hit a hill where the line wrapped around. I could hardly believe it. Up the hill and down the street, the line had no end. Vendors sold water, t-shirts, buttons...anything with Obama on it. But the line did not end. Finally, I came upon a huge parking lot where not only did the line not end, it snaked around nearly 9 times. I coudln't believe my eyes. I got more and mroe irritated as I realized there was really no way I was going to get in that building for nearly 3 hours. It was already past 4:00 by this time. I tried to find what I thought was the end of the line. It looked as though there might have been three different "ends of the line."

For a brief moment, I stood in line. However, my anxiety grew as others in line grew anxious, the hot weather seemed too hot, and my patience grew thin. I called a fellow delegate who hadn't left yet and told her not to come. It seemed impossible that the miles of people waiting in line would ever reach the entrance. I hesitated for a moment; exhausted and concerned that people who were waiting for so long would soon grow so fed up that fights would break out, I decided to leave the line and look for a taxi. As I left, I ran into the former Governor Gray Davis and his wife. Even they couldn't avoid the line. There was simply no way to get in except for waiting.

I found a street that was still open and hailed a taxi. Three other people (a delegate, his wife, and a newspaper reporter) who were equally concerned decided to join me. Our taxi driver took us back in to Downtown Denver. My new friends and I commisserated at how poorly organized it was to have so many people trying to get through so few security screenings. My concern was that people I had met in line were volunteers who had flown in from out of state to work long hours for no benefit except that they were promised a seat at the Invesco Field event. It was truly disappointing. I thought for sure this whole event was going to blow up in the Obama campaign's face.

While returning, I received a call from my friend. There was one more shuttle bus that was going to leave from the Westin that would take us past security and into the field.

The taxi driver dropped us off at the Westin and I met up with my friends. However, something still didn't sit well with me; something told me that not all was going to be okay. I got on the bus, but was concerned. At the next stop, I told my friends I just didn't feel right. I know it's hard to understand my concern because we all know the event was pretty much a success; but at the time, I had real concerns. I decided to get off the bus and told my friends I would see them afterward. Disappointed but understanding, my friends bid me farwell and I got off the bus.

The bus was stuck at the stop light. I had taken about 15 steps when a voice inside me said, "Erik, if you miss this, you'll really regret it. Get back on the bus." Hesitantly, I knocked on the bus door. It opened. My friends cheered. Like it or not, I was back on.

We got Invesco pretty quickly and the bus took us straight to a parking lot reserved only for delegates and special guests. We breezed through the separate security and were in the stadium within 5 minutes.

Obviously, the event went off without a hitch. There were many articles and news briefs about the lines, but none measured up to the level of upheaval that I thought would occur. In some ways, I am happy the day unfolded as it did. Don't get me wrong, I do wish I had known about the shuttles leaving after 2 p.m. and wish I had avoided the whole mess altogether (I was tired, hungry, dehydrated, and frustrated at the end of it all). However, suffering through what 75,000 (and really more than that when you consdier all the people who turned around) other people who didn't have 'special credentials' gave me an appreciation for the level of enthusiasm people had to be a part of history. They really wanted to be there and were willing to stand in line for more than 3 hours in the searing heat to be a part of this historic event. It was humbling.

Witnessing Ted Kennedy Speak

Many have asked me what it was like seeing Ted Kennedy speak and what the energy was like in the Pepsi Center when he spoke.

For those of you who have grown up in the last 20 years or those of you who just haven't been paying attention, Senator Ted Kennedy of Masschusettes has been an interesting character in American politics.

The brother of John and Robert Kennedy, both of whom were assisinated and continue to be reveared, Ted Kennedy has been lighten-rod of criicism. Seen as left of liberal, Senator Kennedy has recently received acknowlegement on both sides for his more moderate stances. In fact, Senator Kennedy is one of the chief sponsors of No Child Left Behind educational legistlation that is seen as a marked success from conservatives and is often chided by supporters on the left.

Known as "the lion" of the Senate, when it was announced that Senator Kennedy would undergo emergency brain surgery to remove an often-fatal type of brain cancer, people from all sides of the political spectrum began celebrating this long-time political icon and praying for his recovery.

It was no small feat that Senator Ted Kennedy, just a few months after surgery, appear before the Deomcratic Convention and give the type of impassioned speech he gave. Say what you will about his politics, he certainly was animated and passionate. I don't know what people expected, but I was impressed with the clarity and energy with which Kennedy spoke.

The feeling inside the Pepsi Center before he came on was electric. It had only been a few days that rumors abound that Kennedy would speak. Most people doubted that it would be possible. But 20 minutes before he was introduced, signs that simply said "Kennedy" began to be passed out by the convention staffers. I don't even remember who was speaking before his niece introduced him, but whoever it was certainly didn't have the attention of those of us in the convention hall.

Since it was the first day, I wasn't in the habit of collecting signs, but my first lesson that signs were considered valuable to people was when they began collecting the 'extra' Kennedy signs. It was clear that people present wanted a piece of history and were honored to be a part of what some considered Kennedy's final address to a Democratic Convention.

In his speech, Senator Kennedy promised that he would be here in January to witness teh inauguation of the first African-American President. At these words, the crowd cheered raucously. Not only were they honoring his compative and resilient nature, but all of us were in our own small way saying, "You can do it, Teddy; you can make it" with each of our cheers and claps. You could sense the crowd willing him to live until January.

After his speech, many of the members of the news corp were looking for delegates who would offer some kind of morbid quote about being one of the few to witness Senator Kennedy's last speech. None around me were willing to make such a morose statement. You could feel, however, and in some conversations hear, the statements of concern that he might not be able to make it to January.

Say what you will about Ted Kennedy, it was an honor to be in that hall that night and listen to this political icon. I hope he does make it until January 20th regardless of the election results...and to many more months and years of health and good fortune.

My Conversation with Lt. Governor John Garamendi

Tuesday of the convention, there were a small group of what are considered "Young Democrats" that were invited to a sit-down conversation with California Lt. Governor John Garamendi. I remember one person who was not from the state of California asking me how a democrat (John Garamendi) was elected with a republican (Arnold Schwarzenegger). I clarified that in California, the Lt. Governor and the Governor are elected as separate individuals; they do not run as a ticket as they do in some other states.

I was invited to this meeting because according to the "Young Democrats" charter, those who are 36 years of age or less are considered "young." Thus, I just made the cut (whew).

Garmendi's Chief of Staff had emailed me regarding what I hoped to discuss. I shared with him that I wasn't interested in grilling the Lt. Governor, but if given the opportunity, I would ask about school funding models in California and where he sees additional sources of revenue being found in order to make up for the billions of dollars that have left California schools since the passing of Proposition 13 nearly two decades ago.

When Tuesday arrived, I was given that opportunity. There were about 20 of us who were able to sit with Garamendi. His wife was also in attendance. They spoke for about 15 minutes about who they were and how they got into politics. This meeting was even more important because Lt. Governor John Garamendi is a candidate for Governor of California.

I was one of the first people to ask a question. I shared with the Lt. Governor that I was a school principal and asked my question regarding school funding. Garamendi was gracious and acknowledged the challenge that we have. He also acknowledged the challenge that Proposition 13 created for schools and their funding base. Without providing specifics, the Lt. Governor acknowledged that schools are in a bind; more is expected of them, yet less is offered to them to meet those growing needs. The Lt. Governor stopped short of providing me and the audience with any specifics regarding his plan. I appreciate his acknowledgement, but look forward to hearing specifics.

I didn't want to ask more questions as there were many hands in the room, but several others asked questions regarding education. One participant asked about the increase in the number of standardized tests students were having to take in schools and what Garamendi hoped to do about it. The Lt. Governor, then turned to me, who he referred to as "the principal," to answer the question. I shared that much of the challenge is determined by NCLB which we need to pressure our congressmen and women about, but that the state could start by releasing the money being held up in the legislature to help the 91 districts who are in their 5th year of Program Improvement. This answer caused Garamendi to elaborate on the necessity to support schools that are under performing by not taking away their money once they have achieved their goals. We both agreed that doing so is counter-intuitive and counter-productive.

I was able to check in with the Lt. Governor later Tuesday night on the floor of the convention where he and I took the attached picture.

A Night to Remember

Dear Readers,

It's now 1:00 a.m. Denver time and I just finished packing and will head to bed in just one minute. I hope you will return even when the convention is over, because I plan to write about many of my experiences. I am just so tired, I can't write much tonight.

Being in Mile High Stadium tonight witnessing the historic election of the first African-American nominee by either major party was truly remarkable. The logistics of the event were awful (for us and for Denver), but it went off without a hitch.

Being on the field as he spoke only about 100 feet away from him was special. Everyone one of us in that place knew we were experiencing history together. I happened to be sitting directly next to the State Superintendent of Education from California, Jack O'Connell, behind former Governor Gray Davis and his wife and to the left of San Francisco Mayor, Gavin Newsome. It was a enough to make a guy feel pretty darn special...and super lucky.

We were moved to chills and yells nearly every minute it seemed. And in the end as the fireworks shot off and the music played in the background and confetti fell to the ground, those of us on the field just looked up into the stands at the thousands of people and looked at one other with hardly a word...we knew...the ground we stood on, the time we shared was historic and we would forever be connected by our shared experience--the acceptance of the nomination by the first black presidential candidate on the 45th anniversary of the "I Have A Dream" speech given by Martin Luther King. What a beautiful illustration of poetic irony (look it up, students :-).

Then it was just mahem. People took every momento that wasn't bolted to the ground. No one wanted to leave without some tangible souvenier to remind them of the moment they had shared with 75,000 of their new best friends. It was quite an experience.

I have more to tell...meeting Hillary (yes that was one of the coolest moments of my life), getting my picture taken with Civil Rights leader John Lewis who marched alonside Martin Luther King, and the family of friends I made with fellow delegates. I do hope you will come back to read even when the "hype" is through.

How about this picture of Hillary autographing my credentials?

FYI...I am going to be organizing a "town hall" meeting wherein those of you who are interested can see pictures, hear my stories, and ask questions. I'll post/send more details when I have them.

Thanks!
Erik

I am in awe...

I hope there are some people out there reading this blog and I hope there are those who can appreciate the significance of what just happened a few minutes ago as I write.

I watched as an arena full of people, even the media, were stuck in sheer surprise as Illinois passed (a huge surprise since everyone thought they would want to cast the votes that put Obama over the threshold needed to clinch the nomination). You could audibly hear the gasp as Illinois passed to New York, Hillary Clinton's home state. Within seconds it occured to most around that the state of NY, in a show of incredible unity, was going to cast the votes to take Obama over the top. But then, the cameras projected throughout the arena as Hillary Clinton walked up the the podium in NY. The crowd gasped even louder as the reality set in that Hillary Clinton was about to announce the votes that would put Obama over the top...what a message. What symbolism. What history. Until Obama is inaugerated as the next President of the United States, there will be no other political symbol or moment more powerful than that which Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama orchestrated tonight. What a beautiful and powerful expression of unity. I am truly honored.

I will blog more later. WOW!

Blogging from the floor...(why the pass?)

Hi readers.

I'm blogging to you from the floor of the convention. Right now, as I type, the Roll Call of votes is being conducted. Each state has the opportunity to cast their delegate votes. I voted in the election and California is about to announce its votes in the roll call. All delegates around me are being very gracious to Senator Clinton and Senator Obama. It truly is amazing to be here right now. I'm living history.

The state of California just announced that it is "passing" as is it's right. It could be for two reasons. First, we don't have all of our votes logged (which is unlikely the case; the deadline was 4:00). Second, and more likely, is that Senator Clinton received several votes from California delegates and they want to get to states who will more quickly take Senator Obama over the threshold necessary to gain the nomination.

UPDATE: I have just been told that the state passed because 41 of the delegates are members of the California House of Representatives and are in California voting on the budget (thank goodness...that's what they need to be doing. The state party chair is trying to get 41 of the alternates from up in the bleachers to come down to vote.



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