Diary of a Delegate

As a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, I had a front row seat for observing history in the making.
I flew to Denver Sunday morning on Jet Blue. Even though Governor Paterson and Senator Schumer were on the plane, it was still one hour late! Later that evening, at the Sheraton, where the New York delegation stayed, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver had a reception serving a mix of deli meats and Denver flavor - BBQ brisket and Senator Malcolm Smith, the Minority Leader, had a dinner for the Senators.
Monday began with a delegation breakfast featuring Senator Hillary Clinton who, commenting on the McCain attack ads, said, “I’m Hillary Clinton and I do NOT approve of his message.” She spoke eloquently of the need for party unity. Ironically, it was 88 years to the day that the 19th Amendment was enacted giving women the right to vote and she cited the suffragists who in 1920 paved the way.
Aside from a 3:30 radio interview, I was free and I walked from one end of the 16th Street Mall to the other end. I planned to take the free bus back but the route was closed due to protesters. Congressmember Joe Crowley had a reception at Zengo in the Riverfront section where we dined on sushi and hors d’oeuvres, which turned out to be dinner.
On to the Pepsi Center with an emotional video tribute to Ted Kennedy. He spoke evoking Camelot saying, “Hope rises again and the dream lives on.” Michelle Obama spoke next, describing her humble origins and praising Hillary Clinton for “putting 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling.” She was poised and sincere and was warmly received.
Tuesday morning, several of us took a trip to Mt. Evans, a 14,000-foot peak in the Rockies. Spectacular is the best description but it was quickly back to the Convention at 3 p.m. to listen to Senator Clinton urge unity, saying, “We are on the same team and none of us can sit on the sidelines.” She was selfless, rousing and gracious just like Mrs. Obama. They both demonstrated a new role for women. Two home runs. Later, Mark Warner, the former Governor of Virginia, delivered the keynote address, which I thought was wooden and uninspiring compared to Senator Kennedy, Senator Clinton and Mrs. Obama. Then it was back to the hotel for dessert with our popular, capable Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli.
Wednesday morning I had to officially vote. Since I was elected as a Clinton delegate, and nearly nine years ago was the first woman from Queens elected to the State Senate, I (perhaps sentimentally, thinking of what might have been) voted for Senator Clinton. That does not diminish my support for Senator Obama.
Lunch with Congressmember Joe Crowley and the Queens delegates followed at the Capitol Grille, a lovely upscale restaurant at Larimer Square. I was back to the hotel to meet with Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and on to the Convention.
In a gesture of conciliation, Senator Clinton moved to nominate Senator Obama by acclamation. Later, we were treated to a powerful speech by President Clinton. People wondered how he would do but whenever he appears to be in trouble, he manages to excel. Senator Biden came next, emphasizing his middle class roots and bringing thousands of people to their feet. At the conclusion, he was joined by Barack Obama to thunderous applause.
On Thursday, we left the hotel about 1:30 p.m. to catch the bus to Invesco Field at Mile High where the Broncos play football. As a delegate, I sat in a folding chair (one of 20,000) on the field. Eighty thousand people filled the stands as Senator Obama gave his acceptance speech on the 45th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech. He spoke of his aspirations for our nation with conviction and passion, while critiquing the Bush years.
The weather in Denver was perfect - warm, sunny, with low humidity. We had been warned, because of the altitude, to drink lots of water. At the convention, at $3.50 per bottle, this was expensive hydration. I had no problem with the altitude until the trip to 14,000 feet where I had to walk a little slower and breathe a little deeper. A store was selling oxygen at $10 for a small bottle, which you sprayed into a napkin and sniffed. Fortunately, I had adjusted to the altitude and didn’t need it.
Transportation to the Pepsi Center and Invesco Field was a near disaster. Buses, when you could find them, left us off about a mile from the Pepsi Center and in the heat it was a long walk. Taxis were hard to find and nowhere to be found at night. When the Queens delegation of Borough President Helen Marshall, Gloria D’Amico, Gloria Aloise, Jamie Plunkett, District Leader Martha Flores-Vasquez, Barbara Jackson, and I left Invesco Field about 9:30 p.m., we were misdirected to the wrong buses and walked all around the stadium. There were no lines, just chaos and we got back to our hotel about 12:45 a.m. - hungry and tired.
The streets were a sea of blue - far more police than protesters who, nevertheless, were able to disrupt traffic. They were a diverse group: hippies, anti-war, pro-marijuana, anti-gay, pro-immigration reform, self-proclaimed anarchists, and the anti-abortion activists displayed a large poster of a bloody fetus.
I know that there were many parties for large donors and elected officials sponsored primarily by corporations doing business in Washington. I decided that I would not attend any corporate functions because of ethical concerns.
Denver was four days of inspiring speeches, excitement and hope. This was certainly an emotional, historic occasion and I am grateful that I was there. In contrast to the trip to Denver, the flight home was one hour early. Perhaps there’s an optimistic message there.