Archive for Obama
DNC2012: Schedule for tonight
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DNC2012: Barney Frank Lights ‘Em Up
Posted by: | CommentsThe room was full at today’s LGBT Caucus meeting at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, and the speakers came one after another proclaiming the inevitability of equality and the hard work left to do. Who spoke?
Obama Campaign Manager, Jim Messina, who said, “It is not enough to win legislative victories, you have to win elections, too.”
Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis, who said of Democrats’ diversity, “We accept, and that’s what makes us so strong.”
Second Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, who said, “We have the first President and Vice President in history to confirm support for gay marriage.”
Mayor Cory Booker, who all but announced a gubernatorial run vs. Chris Christie, explained that since Barack Obama came out in support of marriage equality, attitudes are changing among African-Americans.
Senator Al Franken, who talked about the positive change in military culture since the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
Delaware Governor Jack Markell, who has led the passage of multiple equality measures in that state.
Senator Amy Klobuchar, who said, “I want Minnesota to be the first state to defeat this divisive marriage amendment.” She also reported that General Mills Co. Has come out against the anti-marriage amendment, so go buy some Cheerios.
Representative Barney Frank, whose speech in its entirety is in the video below. Watch the whole thing. You’ll be cheering and wondering how any LGBT person can support the Republican Party.
After the jump you can see photos from the Caucus.
DNC2012: Delegates Answer One Question
Posted by: | CommentsSo here’s how this works. I have a press credential that gets me some places but not others. In order to get down to the floor where the delegates are, I have to trade my credential for a floor pass. From the moment I receive that pass, I have twenty minutes to go to the floor, do my thing, and get back. Tardiness can result in losing credentials the next day. It’s a system that allows lots of different folks to get onto the floor, but it’s not much time.
In an effort to capture a bit of the flavor of the convention floor (tastes like freedom!) as well as offering some personalities and issues, I asked several delegates one simple question. What is the most important issue to you in this election year? Follow after the jump to hear four of our North Carolina delegates answer that question.
DNC2012: Moving America Forward Healthcare Forum
Posted by: | CommentsArrived late for event this morning, but recorded excerpts of former Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s talk at NASCAR Hall of Fame event sponsored by Families USA and the Service Employees International Union.
DNC2012: Tuesday Video Highlights
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Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick
They Came to Get Down
Posted by: | CommentsIn case you wanted to let your YouTube do the talking. Here is my first night DNC music video commentary:
Only thing missing is an empty chair on top of the casket at the beginning.
DNC2012: Strickland Brings Down the House
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You should’ve heard the crowd roar. Former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland just gave a real stemwinder of a speech at the Democratic National Convention. Full text here. Excerpts:
The auto industry supports one of every eight jobs in Ohio, and it’s alive and growing in America again. Late last year, Chrysler announced they were hiring eleven hundred new autoworkers in Toledo. Just last month, GM announced a plan to invest 200 million dollars in Lordstown, keeping five thousand jobs in Ohio and building the next generation of the Chevy Cruze—a car we are proud to say is made entirely in Ohio.
It’s been a long slog back, and we’ve still got a long way to go. But all over Ohio—all over America—men and women are going back to work with the pride of building something stamped “Made in America.” Before Barack Obama took office, it looked like that pride could have vanished forever, but today, from the staggering depths of the Great Recession, the nation has had 29 straight months of job growth. Workers across my state and across the country are getting back the dignity of a good job and a good salary.
[...]
Quite frankly, Barack Obama knows what it’s like to pay a mortgage and student loans. He knows what it’s like to watch a beloved family member in a medical crisis and worry that treatment is out of reach. Barack Obama knows our struggles. And, my friends, he shares our values.Now, Mitt Romney, he lives by a different code. To him, American workers are just numbers on a spreadsheet.
DNC2012: LGBT Caucus
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Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, asked a standing-room-only room at the Democratic National Convention whether they are better off than they were four years ago, and the cheers that met her question shook the walls. The audience was made up of LGBT delegates and allies attending their first of two caucus meetings.
If you’re wondering why they were so excited, you have only to look at the list of recent achievements touted by Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a National HIV/AIDS strategy, a Presidential anti-bullying initiative, no longer defending Section 3 of DOMA, protections for transgendered citizens, first transgendered presidential appointee, repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and an endorsement of marriage equality. “Never,” Jarrett said, “has the journey to equality seen such success.”
DNC2012: Here Comes The Gavel
Posted by: | CommentsDebbie Wasserman Schultz will call the 2012 Democratic National Convention to order at 5pm. You can see the schedule of events and speakers after the jump or by clicking here. The Democratic Party’s platform has become available (.pdf here), and the convention will vote on the 40-page document today.
DNC2012: Open Thread #2
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Before today’s press briefing.
1) There’s free booze aplenty. Free food too. And big bags of free swag. I imagine there’s even more for the delegates than for the media. I’ve found it difficult to spend money since arriving, and I’m now the proud owner of a DNC2012 pedometer!
2) There’s a lot going on. Parties and caucuses and councils and briefings and concerts and concourses. Some people look choked by their many lanyards. It’s easy to get swept up. I had to tear myself away from the action, so I could collect my thoughts long enough to write. See my Twitter feed to get a sense of the action. Things are just now ramping up, too, so the frenzy is on a northward curve. By Thursday night, the delegates and media will be wild on fried okra, coffee, liquor, sleep deprivation, and ceaseless activity.
3) The national media is here searching for unique angles. They will, of course, report the campaign’s story of the President’s term in office, and you’d think that would be plenty. When they grow tired of that, they describe predetermined narratives. Andrea Mitchell today was pushing the Elon poll showing Obama behind in NC, despite the fact that a more reputable outfit, Public Policy Polling, has the race tied.
4) It’s a networkers’ paradise and any wallflowers are wilting fast.
5) There are magic moments. Earlier today, when I was noshing at the Congressional Black Caucus/Myrtle Beach scene, Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) leaned into my booth and asked for a packet of Equal. It was just normal human stuff, and it was poignant.
6) The PPL is a co-working space for new media folks. At this very moment I’m surrounded by bloggers and alternative media writers, videographers, and organizers. There are places to plug in devices, great wifi, free coffee, and savvy people. It’s great.
7) I have no idea what might happen next.
