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Brent Batten: Obama draws a frenzy worthy of football Sunday
Florida delegates pronounce DNC a success
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From the concourse, it might look like any football Sunday at Invesco Field.
Crowds decked out in team colors moved to and fro.
The Broncos Team Store hawked jerseys and miniature helmets.
Long lines formed at the concession stands.
Only there was no beer.
The event at Invesco on Thursday matches any game the Broncos have played here, evidenced by the security line snaking around the stadium and the shaking of the building as the crowd stomped its feet. Ardent Democrats from around the country and everyday Coloradans willing to brave the hot sun and dignity-depriving searches came to hear Barack Obama accept the nomination of the Democratic Party for the office of president.
They were as old as Beatrice Small of Viroqua, Wis., who declined to give her exact age but said she’d “settle for 85,” and as young as Alex Schmitt, 2, tagging along with his dad, Matt, of Denver.
“Why not?” Schmitt said. “It’s a historic event. He can say he was there.”
Allison Shah, also of Denver, came with three children, ranging from 8 months to 9 years.
Shah too cited the historic nature of the day as justification for braving two hours of travel and security on a trip that normally takes her family 20 minutes.
“I want them to be part of this.” She said her older children watch Obama’s speeches on YouTube. “They can’t believe they’re going to see the real him,” Shah said.
Getting to see Obama was a treat for the Shah family akin to a childhood fantasy.
“I can’t believe it. We got our tickets today. It was like ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ when they got that golden ticket,” Shah said.
For her part, Small said she’d have been at Invesco no matter who the party’s nominee.
“I’m so old, I can remember campaigning for Adlai Stevenson,” Small said. “I’m a bona fide, card-carrying Democrat,” Small said.
Sheryl Crow and Stevie Wonder performed. Al Gore and Colorado Congressman Mark Udell warmed up the crowd.
The crowd made its way from the concourse to their seats as the political equivalent of the kickoff to the Super Bowl approached.
The concession stands weren’t selling beer. No matter, these Democrats were happy without it.
As the convention built to Thursday evening’s climax, Florida delegates pronounced it a success.
Even though the Obama/Clinton rift within the party was at times dismissed as a creation of the media, a sampling of delegates indicates they felt it was real — and that they believe it has been largely overcome.
Chuck Mohlke, a Democratic National Committee member from Naples, says he would sit with his fellow delegates late into the night after the convention proceedings closed. “You know where they stood during the primary season. They were sharply divided at that particular time. And sitting there (this week) you didn’t even hear them bring it up.”
A faction of Democrats labeling themselves PUMA, standing for Party Unity My Ass, have sworn not to support Obama. They insist Clinton should have won and believe her multiple endorsements of the nominee this week have been coerced.
“Everyone knows that Hillary Clinton had no choice but to endorse Barack Obama and to release her pledged delegates to him. Her having done so will not unify the Democratic Party. No one, including Hillary Clinton, can persuade us vote for him,” wrote Annette Cohen, a PUMA PAC member from California in an e-mail to journalists.
The PUMA group maintained a headquarters in Denver during the convention.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a U.S. representative from the Florida east coast and Clinton delegate who has thrown her support to Obama, acknowledged that some from the Clinton camp will never get behind Obama.
But in her analysis, the majority have. “It is so important we put aside our differences, to not have the angst so many Hillary supporters had up to now. We’ve gone a long way toward accomplishing that this week,” she said.
“I think this convention took the air out of the PUMA types,” she added.
Obama supporters in the Florida delegation say they believe most of the Clinton camp now fully backs their man.
“To get 100 percent is asking a lot, but the majority of Clinton supporters are on board with Obama,” said delegate Lewis Jennings of Fort Walton Beach.
“We seem unified now. Yesterday (Wednesday) we seemed like a family,” said Janie Holman, a delegate from Cocoa Beach.
The challenge now is to carry the energy from the convention back to their communities, delegates agreed. “We’re going to roll up our sleeves and go back to work,” said Obama delegate Mae Rene Christian of Dade County. She said she’ll focus on voter registration.
Holman said she’s challenged herself to persuade 10 people to vote for Obama and then to get them to persuade 10 people, “And so on,” she said.
Jennings says he sees an opportunity to persuade Republicans in his heavily Republican region to vote for Obama. “We’re not asking you to change your party. Just change your voting habit in November.”
---
There’s bad news and good news for Democratic congressional candidate Robert Neeld as he seeks to unseat Republican Connie Mack in Southwest Florida.
The bad news is, he won’t be getting much help from the party. The good news, and it’s not really good news so much as consolation, is he’s not alone.
At Thursday’s meeting of Florida Democrats at the party’s national convention, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a member of the U.S. House and chairwoman of the party’s national “Red to Blue” Committee, ticked off a list of a half-dozen Republicans in the U.S. House that Democrats believe they can beat in November.
Mack’s name wasn’t on the list.
Neeld has tried before to win Mack’s seat in the 14th Congressional District, which encompasses coastal Collier and Lee counties. In 2006 he received 35 percent of the vote running on a small budget with little party support.
But this year, the 14th District race is complicated by the inclusion of Burt Saunders, who served in the state Legislature as a Republican but who is now challenging Mack as an Independent.
Is the inclusion of Saunders, creating a potential split of the Republican vote, coupled with the increase in registration of Democratic voters the delegates have been hearing about all week, enough to raise hopes that Neeld could pull an upset? Apparently not.
“I mentioned our most competitive races,” Wasserman Schultz said after the meeting, explaining her failure to bring up District 14.
Her communications director, Jonathon Beeton, said the Red to Blue Committee is tasked with identifying potential Democratic gains in the House.
The group uses three criteria: money raised, polling and “buzz.” Buzz is a nebulous gauge of a candidate’s ability to generate interest. “You can have a lot of money and no one knows who you are,” Beeton said. “Are you being covered? Are you having events?”
Neeld, who is not attending the convention, said he was disappointed but not surprised by the lack of support. “They haven’t figured out this opportunity,” Neeld said. “I have laid out the case (to party officials). It’s fallen on deaf ears.”
Adding insult to injury, he said he received a call Thursday from a Democratic fundraiser asking him for a donation.
He said he will press on without party support. “It’s rugged. But I’m enjoying it. I’m still a candidate.”
The term Red to Blue refers to the political custom of showing areas that vote Republican in Red and those that vote Democratic in Blue. A goal of Florida Democrats is to turn what has been a red state, in terms of presidential and congressional elections, blue.
The Red to Blue Committee will encourage donors, including representatives who aren’t in close races themselves, to donate to its identified candidates. Candidates will also be offered assistance in organizing their campaign, Beeton said.
Though the list of Red to Blue seats is always subject to change, it currently stands at four names in Florida, Beeton said.
Mario Diaz-Balart, who represents eastern Collier County, is being challenged by Dade County Democratic Party Chairman Joe Garcia, one of the Red to Blue Committee’s favored candidates.
Diaz-Balart’s brother Lincoln Diaz-Balart is also opposed by a candidate backed by Red to Blue, former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez.
Sixteen Florida Republicans are seeking re-election to the U.S. House. Democrats now hold nine seats in the House. If they can beat all four Red to Blue targets plus win Central Florida’s District 15 seat in which Republican incumbent Dave Weldon is not running, the balance of the Florida House delegation would tip toward the Democrats.
Comments
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I'm curious as to what's historic. The Democratic Party has nominated many left wing extremists before, what's new?
#1 Posted by sentom26 on August 28, 2008 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is high time to say "no" to the status quo.
"The American people simply cannot afford more of the same," insists Barr, "which means more government spending; more special interest pay-offs; more fraud and waste; and continuing to treat American taxpayers like geese to be plucked rather than citizens of a free society and democratic republic."
A Real CHOICE ... restore freedom by reducing government
Bob BARR is the only candidate offering the combination of a crackdown on excessive government spending along with concern for civil liberties.
http://blog.bobbarr2008.com/2008/06/2...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx11gy...
http://BobBarr2008.com
http://bobbarr.meetup.com/65
#2 Posted by jacktanner on August 29, 2008 at 1:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sure, you neo-cons, you conservatives, you lifetime registered Republicans all hate Obama.
But I'll bet a week's salary that y'all wouldn't want him if he was on your side....
#3 Posted by leftubehind on August 29, 2008 at 2:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Many people tell me that Obama represents the anti-Christ.
I sure hope this is not the case.
Doesn't he strike you as an intelligent individual?
Would the anti-Christ be this genial?
#4 Posted by R_Popoff on August 29, 2008 at 4:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Someone is putting vodka in the Koolaid. That's it!
#5 Posted by citizenk on August 29, 2008 at 5:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Obama and Stevie Wonder. Now there would be a ticket.
Neither one can see whats really going on but they both keep smiling and bobbing their heads.
#6 Posted by Hindsight on August 29, 2008 at 5:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great Rally!! A lot of Democrats looking for any reason to get out from work. The rest of them unemployed.
Too bad George doesn't own a TV!
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/2...
If he cares about his own brother that much, just imagine how much he's going to care about you after he's gotten your vote!
#7 Posted by Naplestango on August 29, 2008 at 7:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
RockfordGrad - I guess 'profit' and 'prophet' mean the same thing to you? Time to get yourself an 'edumacation'. Can't imagine why Harvard denied your application.
Naplestango - quit trying to act like you ever gave a cr*p about any of Obama's family. The fact that you all of a sudden care about somebody in Africa is beyond anybody's belief.
And LavendaLou - please share with us your personal accomplishments.
#8 Posted by fearisfailure on August 29, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You're correct Fear: I don't care about George. But I would if he were my brother living in a Kenyan slum!
#9 Posted by Naplestango on August 29, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought the speech was good and almost believable till he said change will come then I seen the cameras showing Pelousi, reid, and other out to lunch leftists and I realized it was all bull.
Obama offers the people 4 more years of jimmy Carter, empty promises. Its the same speech dems give every year just retreaded to fit Obama.
any man that could sit in a pew with his wife and kids listening to rev wright for 20 years isn't fit imo to lead out nation.
#10 Posted by grouper25 on August 29, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bloomberg will save the day!
(First he'll buy it)
#11 Posted by Naplestango on August 29, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Make sarcastic comments if you like but BARACK H. OBAMA will be our next President. The republicans can be beaten from so MANY positions:
George Bush, the economy, the war, your past actions, Bush's handling of KATRINA, McCain's 90%+ voting record with Bush, your selfishness & greed, tax cuts for the rich, etc.
I can' wait to see your convention given the dismissal record you've had the past 8 yrs. The DNC had Stevie Wonder performing, perhaps the RNC will have Daddy Yankee!! (I know, you're saying Daddy who?? LOL.. most of you are too old to know who he is but he supports McCain) It will also be interesting to see how much of a presence BUSH will have at the event.
IT'S TIME for change and it will occur in November.
GO OBAMA!!!!!!!
#12 Posted by Brother_n_239 on August 29, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
lol - brother even the news anchors don't want to be at their convention - they already said it will be 'split screen' so that the more intersting stories can still run. They know the convention will be dismal for their ratings otherwise!
OBAMA/BIDEN 08!
#13 Posted by fearisfailure on August 29, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm an Independent. I've never been a fan of McCain, dating back to his failed run in 2000, but I was still undecided - until last night. I'm confident in my vote now.
What I find unfortunate in this day and age is our willingness to accept a three minute "news" bite as real, useful information. TV networks and newspapers all have one main goal, and that is to increase readers/viewers which means increasing revenues. Their goal isn't to inform us.
Popoff - are you serious? Many people also tell me via email that if I forward a bunch of crap, Microsoft will send me $25. Still waiting on that check. The antichrist? You don't think THAT might be newsworthy? That's absurd.
Does Cindy McCain care about her two half siblings? She claims to be an only child. Did John McCain care about his existing family when he CHEATED on his first wife with Cindy?
CNN interviewed George and he claims to be doing just fine, thank you very much. He does not live on a dollar a month. Should Obama bring him to the US? Can you imagine the uproar then?
I'm tired of the nastiness, the negativity. John McCain has done plenty of rotten things in his life, and his reputation as a hothead quite frankly, scares me. These tired old email sagas and silly claims are just that - tired and silly. What has happened to political discourse in this country? Shame on us.
BTW, I didn't know Obama speaks French. But Bush speaks Spanish. Kobe Bryant speaks Italian. So what?
The bottom line is, McCain can't help this country enough. There are too many problems for someone who admits the economy is not his strength. I just can't give him my vote.
#14 Posted by etcetcetc on August 29, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes we can !!!! OBAMA 08
#15 Posted by pandora on August 29, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now I have to laugh - this 'Palin' belongs to a group called 'feminists for life'! I hope she thanks Hillary for laying down all the groundwork. Governor for only one year, and is 44.
Well, the VP debates should be great fun!
#16 Posted by fearisfailure on August 29, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Franz buddy, Obama is far from a deliverance from God, Satan maybe, but not God.
Take from the hard working people and give to the those looking for a hand out rather than a job. Live with envy and foster punishment for success, don't promote hard work and becoming the American Dream.
Back to the thought that with all the fake hype, the covering up of how little experience this fool really has, the absolute one sided press coverage favoring Hussien......and he still comes up short in November.....now that will be priceless.
#17 Posted by sowestfla1975 on August 29, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sowest - Obama HAS ACHIEVED the American Dream by hard work - what do you think he did? Took his whole life as a handout? You obviously know absolutely nothing about him AT ALL!
And as for the 'experience', LOL, McCain just picked somebody with FAR LESS experience, and who is facing a State investigation, in an effort to get Hillary supporters. BAD JUDGMENT if he thinks he can win Hillary supporters just because she's a woman. No Hillary supporter will support this woman, because she is AGAINST everything Hillary fought FOR. Any Hillary supporter would feel like they were slapping her in the face by supporting this woman who genuinely WAS given this position off Hillary's hard work. Palin got this based upon gender alone, when Hillary had to run an extremely hard race to get where she got. Palin just took the Republican 'handout' #28.
#18 Posted by fearisfailure on August 29, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fearisfailure, I agree. How can an old man who could kick over at any minute have such a rookie to take his place. I laugh at the contradiction of the righties calling Obama too inexperienced then pulling this pathetic ploy to try to win over some PUMA's. The GOP must be really desperate. Last night my wife's comment was, "McCain must be *@%& his pants right now"
#19 Posted by Caliban on August 29, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
#30
Because of his skin color? Are you serious? WOW.. you're not the brightest crayon in the box are you?
#20 Posted by Brother_n_239 on August 29, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ryu - please explain how he did that - I'd love to follow suit if that is all it takes. A step by step guide please.
Caliban - my kids said the 'clean version' of same thing LOL!
#21 Posted by fearisfailure on August 29, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
#31
In his pants.. try p(&)&* in his DEPENDS!! LOL
#22 Posted by Brother_n_239 on August 29, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
leftovers.........want to kill somebody? I love the tolerance from the left.
#23 Posted by truth on August 29, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sarah Palin disgusts me in the sense that her baby with Down Syndrome isn't her priority, but advancing her political career is. Case closed for me.
P.S. Hillary supporters are mostly pro-choice and won't like her antiabortion stance.
#24 Posted by etcetcetc on August 29, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Generally, I have been negative on Obama platform.
But am intrigued by his reported idea to replace the national anthem with "Imagine" by
John Lennon.
The Star Spangled Banner is a tough song to sing well and even tougher to have to listen
to poorly done so so so many times.
Let's put it to rest!
"Imagine" will send just the right message to the youth and the world that we no longer
plan to go bully around counties like Sudan, Afganistan and Georgia.
John Lennon ended up a great American!
#25 Posted by R_Popoff on August 29, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dr. Jack Wheeler sounds like a Klan member trying to sound intellectual.
Try again.
#26 Posted by etcetcetc on August 29, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dr. Wheeler,
What an eloquent explanation of who Obama really is - did you come up with all of that yourself or are you working with a team. I am waiting at the edge of my seat for your explanation of who our current president is, better yet - who McCain really is.
Having said that, what difference does it make if Obama was not really black - although that argument does not carry any weight. I thought we were judging people by the content of their character, not by the color of their skin.
By the way, what kind of medicine do you practice? Just want to know how to avoid you if I ever get sick.
#27 Posted by Gator4Life on August 29, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
vashark1, excellent post.
with all these obama koolaid drinkers makes me wish i was back in sales.
the obama team staring Nancy pelosi the worst house speaker in the history of this country, harry reid who sold his soul to the mexicans, ted kennedy his name says it all, michelle obama who never was proud to be an american, Bill ayers a known terrorist, and the list of empty dems can go on and on and on
.
isn't michelle and obama lawyers by trade? lol geez i wish i was back in sales
geez i wish i was back in sales!!!!
#28 Posted by grouper25 on August 29, 2008 at 5:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I see our Repugnican friends still mistake bombing peasants from 20 thousand feet as an honorable pursuit.
There isn't enough room in hell, apparently for these 'conservatives' so they continue to eat good food and breath good air that could be used by folks who deserve to live..
Die right wing scum!
And soon, please.
#29 Posted by greathornedlizard on August 29, 2008 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
By the way, Mr. Batten does much better when he plays reporter than he does when he let's his
inferior (Repugnican) nature take over.
#30 Posted by greathornedlizard on August 29, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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