Democratic Convention ´Audacity of Scope´ vs. GOP ´Audacity of Nope´

Reporting by June Caldwell, Photos by Rodger Caldwell

Democratic Audacity of Scope

Against the backdrop of the pale anemic barely-alive Republican National Convention, the brilliant multi-hued Democratic Convention still shines vibrantly like fireworks that explode continually in our minds eyes each time we blink.

The audacious scope of being all things to all Americans defines the newly rejuvenated Democratic Party. The Democratic National Convention embodied this scope, setting the stage for the passionate campaign to ensue during the next two months, and indeed a glimpse of what an Obama Presidency looks like.

The topic of each day of the Convention embodied this scope:

Monday: One Nation in Unity, featuring Michelle Obama

Tuesday: Renewing America´s Promise, featuring Hillary Clinton

Wednesday: Securing America´s Future, featuring Bill Clinton and Joe Biden

Thursday: Change You Can Believe In, featuring Barack Obama

Why the Republicans Needed to Manufacture an Excuse to Say an Audacious ´Nope´ to their Own Convention

During the Democratic Convention, discussions by technical support groups that would be going directly to Minnesota the next week, centered on how the Republican National Convention was having trouble getting delegates to attend, as well being shunned even by Republican Congressional candidates who were trying to distance themselves as much as possible from the GOP.

Speculations were jokingly raised that the party might think of some excuse to postpone or even cancel the convention entirely to avoid the embarrassment of the glaring contrast between the historic triumph of the Democratic Convention (with its standing room only crowds) - compared to the shunned Republican equivalent. Amazingly, after the last day of the Democratic Convention, the Republican Party announced exactly as predicted, they were postponing their convention because of an expected hurricane half way across the country from Minnesota. Certainly a bold audacity of ´nope´ to match the Democrats audacity of ´scope´! This still never explained why George Bush had to as of the date of this writing, shine on his own Republican Convention, yet be nowhere near Louisiana where the hurricane was expected. Nope! Instead he saw fit to hide at his dude ranch in Texas to ´monitor the storm from Texas´ as his wife explained to a reporter. Then back to the White House to deliver remotely.

After the reckless way McCain chose his token female VP running mate, Palin, compared to the careful thoughtful selection of Joe Biden, there wasn´t much but chaos to show for a convention anyway.

Audacity of Scope from the Bottom Up, Not the Top Down

As Obama said in his speech, ´This campaign never was about me, it is about you!´ Over and over at the convention we were awestruck not only by the glittering array of speakers but the scope of ages, races, economic backgrounds of folks in the convention and walking the streets of Denver each day. Suddenly I realized, well hot dang…it´s true! Being involved politically is officially cool! The nightclubs, restaurants, everywhere you turn were reams of people – especially youth - joyously going to or from the multitude of convention related events, bearing signs, placards, T-shirts, buttons for Obama. Walls and walls of people involved together like I have never witnessed. This was all well and fine as a branding point in a speech, but the reality of it hitting in Denver was like an explosion of hope bright enough to be seen around the whole world. This is especially humbling after eight years of being shamefully hated for being in the country that elected ´W´ and had impeachment off the table the whole time.

Smile and the Whole World Smiles With You

As we were trying to weave our way through the barricaded streets to get to the Pepsi Center the first convention day, we were joined by some French students who flew all the way to the US to volunteer for Obama. This was not unique. Salimah Ebrahim who writes for the Canadian press told us of a large portion of Canadians who quit their jobs or school to come and volunteer for Obama, simply to be part of this worthy revolution.

Provide Credentials to the Field and They Will Come

The DNC said they would open up the Convention doors to America, and they came through with flying colors. For the first time in history, a variety of every imaginable kind of press was credentialed as well as the public invited to several events including the big blow out speech finale. My husband Rodger and I kept shaking our heads saying ´I can´t believe we´re here!´ at such an amazing event. About 84,000 people were at that event, and an estimated about 40 million watched it. Once again, the audacity of scope ruled the day, going against the Republican model of making sure there isn´t a person in the house who won´t cheer on cue or report exactly the lock-step story. It was such a surreal thrill, walking side by side with Senators, Governors, news stars and even seeing Karl Rove in the Fox News booth report real time during Bill Clinton´s speech! Then watching the report that night in the hotel a few blocks away. Yes, Karl was apparently greatly impressed with Bill´s speech, and by that time I thought I couldn´t be surprised by anything.

Brother, Can You Tell Me How to Get To Market Street?

There were peace marches, rallies and the Progressive Democrats of America hosted inspiring speakers far to the left of the Pepsi Center floor speakers all week. Once again, they were coordinated with the convention to appear seamlessly included in the scope of the experience as a related component. The amount of police and security was breathtaking. But although the marches and rallies were huge, all was basically peaceful. So the police were standing looking pretty bored most of the time, and were in fact a great source of good natured directions given to us when we were lost.

Still All About Hillary

The ´Unity´ part of the proceedings was really on Tuesday, when Hillary spoke. The Hillary delegates I spoke with explained to me it wasn´t about this one woman. It is about standing up for women in our country. Tuesday was the anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which first gave women the right to vote, I was reminded by Jan Giovannini-Hill a delegate alternate from Fremont, California, whom I was sitting next to. Why wasn´t that fact celebrated along with Thursday´s celebration of the 45th Anniversary of the ´I Have a Dream´ speech? Hillary Clinton gave the most moving speech as she powerfully and unequivocally delivered the argument for us all to rally as one for Barack Obama. She made sure to weave into her epic speech due honor for those that sacrificed for the woman´s right to vote. The long roar of applause and cheers for Hillary was Presidential. I looked around at thousands of men and women with eyes glittering with tears. As some of the Hillary delegates told me, ´today I support Hillary, but I am first of all a Democrat, and on Thursday I rally behind Obama´. The wave of nausea through the Hillary supporters at the selection of Palin by McCain - as if any woman could be exchanged for another - to lure the Hillary voters pretty much seals it for Obama if there was any doubt left.

´Barney Can Be Your Friend Too…´ –From Barney the Dinosaur Theme Song

The audacious scope included many regular folks each day telling their story and why they are backing Obama. They regularly stole the show with their genuineness. One example was Thursday´s show nearly stolen by a Republican named Barney Smith who sincerely explained why he can´t live through another year of the Bush economy and needs a country led by ´someone who values Barney Smith over Smith Barney´! The applause and shouts were deafening.

´Talk About Being For It Before He Was Against It´

One after another of the Democratic Party´s stars took the stage all week. Tuesday, Dennis Kucinich was the sleeper that stole the show. He is the Democratic Congressman from the swing state of Ohio who is defending his seat against an aggressive Republican in November. The far, far left wing of the party, he is the Impeachment spokesman, and was the first Presidential candidate to hand his delegates to Obama. His call to ´Wake Up America´ to unite for the changes Obama will bring got the whole Pepsi Center applauding and cheering, represented bringing the far left of the party into the fold. Wednesday, John Kerry gave one of his most inspired speeches. He had us falling on the floor laughing with his comment ´before he ever debates Barack Obama, (McCain) needs to finish his debate with himself.´ He mentioned how candidate McCain said he would vote against tax cut legislation that Senator McCain wrote, adding ´talk about being for it before he was against it!´ Also on Wednesday, Bill Clinton spoke nailing to the wall the unity with Obama the press tried to trump up rumors he would negate. The applause and cheers for Bill Clinton was like a thundering earthquake that just keeps rolling and never seems to quit. Wednesday, Joe Biden showed anyone who doubted he is a powerful choice for VP, and won us over, especially talking about his Mom. Hillary supporters still in shock that she wasn´t the VP selection could at least connect to Biden whose voting record has been historically in close step with Hillary´s. They have worked together as a team to pass legislation.

The Scope That Keeps on Giving

Nobody could have been in Invesco Field witnessing the incredibly moving speech Obama made without feeling called to action. Or I am sure, watching it on TV, or even seeing a portion on Youtube. I felt like Alice in Wonderland, forever changed by the bottles that said ´drink me´. I feel awkward and oversized for the small world I used to live in, that focused too much on my own small personal concerns. Like Alice after drinking the next bottle, I feel tiny in the new world I new live in, which is this huge national movement I am so proud to be a part of. As my husband and I drove home from Denver through the otherworldly beauty of Utah toward California we were excitedly discussing how best to support the Obama campaign in the two short months we have left before November 4. I realized millions of people all over America are doing the same! That is the audacity of scope that the convention set off. We are all in this together… and it is not really just a convention, not even really a just campaign. This is America.