Denver Dispatch: August 27, 2008

There are thousands of stories happening in this city right now.

I was at the Pepsi Center last night, way up high, sitting with folks from New York, Montana, Illinois, Missouri, Massachusetts.  I've been on buses with folks from Colorado, California, Washington D.C.  I've visited with the Alabama and New York delegations.  And I've attended events with folks from Pennsylvania and Arizona.

What's the overriding message?   That our country really does need to change course, on issue after issue after issue.

As I said above, every single attendee at this Convention has his or her own story, by which I mean different priorities and positions and backgrounds.  Those "Unity" signs throughout Pepsi Center last night may have been referring to the  Obama/Clinton discussion, but this Convention is digging much deeper than that

Gov Patrick spoke about his background and our economic needs, and the whole crowd cheered.  Gov. Schweitzer spoke passionately about energy issues, and the whole crowd cheered.  Rep. Nydia Velazquez delivered her closing remarks in Spanish, and the whole crowd cheered.

It's impossible to attend every event here - even if I had a complete calendar of them.  And if I interviewed 100 people, I would probably end up with 120 opinions.  But if you're wondering  what the big "takeaway" should be, consider this:  everyone here wants to improve the country's quality of life, and believes that our government can facilitate that, on any number of issues.   It's on their faces, on their t-shirts and buttons, in their writings, and through their actions.  They're all, in their own way, progressive activists.

Til later,
Claire

PS- It's also time for a major shout-out to all of the volunteers who are working so, so hard this week!  Thanks for everything!

Comments

[Richard Lovison]

My favorite line from Bill Clinton's speech last night in response to four more years of Republican rule... "Thanks, but no thanks." Ya gotta love the guy. :)

[Carrie Gardner]

You said if you interviewed 100 people you would get 120 opinions on improving quality of life in this country but the consensus is that there needs to be some more government intervention to achieve this. What do you think the first steps are going to be in reducing energy consumption in this country? Do you think we really can unite to make changes?

[Claire Silberman]

I'm wondering if it may not come from our kids-- but I'm definitely concerned that too many folks say stuff needs to happen, just as long as no one asks them to do anything themselves (eg, seeing idling cars everywhere in NYC). That said, I think the business community can ultimately play a leading role here; many already are, as they try to out-green each other. And the easier the biz world makes it for folks (through more fuel efficient transportation and greener buildings), the easier for everyone to work on this issue.

cheers--