USVI Democratic Party Issues

Altitude Sickness

I've had it almost since the very moment I got here, but I haven't been able to give it a name until now.  After three hectic days, it's taking its toll on me.

So this morning I'm taking a little extra time to rest up.  I won't be out and about until much later this morning and even then I'm trying to take things a bit slower.

I do have some more photos to add to the gallery so look out for them later today.  I received notice that I won't have the same setup at Invesco that I've had on the convention floor, but there's a special spot set up for state bloggers to use that I'll have to retreat to periodically to send you all some updates.

Until then feel free to review all the posts I've made thus far.  Catch you all later.

Biden Accepts the Vice President Nomination

The same acclamation that overwhelmed the Democratic Party's nomination of Barack Obama was again tonight extended to Joe Biden.  Democrats resounded an emphatic "YES!" in moving to accept Joe Biden as the candidate for Vice President by acclamation.

Introduced by his son, Beau Biden, with a brief but moving history of what kind of man Joe Biden is, he took the stage to rousing applause.  Then he emphatically stated (so there would be no doubt) that he indeed accepts the nomination.

Joe Biden started his speech by reiterating that he would not be a Cheney-style VP.  He went on to state his support for Barack Obama and heap praise on him.

The most important part of Biden's speech spoke to his friendship with John McCain.  Despite their friendship, Biden does not believe in McCain's plan for America.  He announced through various examples that John McCain isn't about change, he's about more of the same.  Biden went on to contrast McCain with the change that Obama represents.

Biden went on to criticize, as Clinton did, that folly our this administration's foreign policy.  He emphasized the distraction of Iraq from where the real fight is: Afghanistan.

Biden closed with a promise to help rebuild America and her reputation with Barack Obama.  Biden put his faith in Barack's judgment and implored America to do the same.

Bill Clinton: "Barack Is Ready!"

Bill Clinton, to the roars and applause of an approving crowd, fully pledged his support to making Barack Obama the next President of the United States.  Not only did Clinton praise Obama's handling of the challenges he's faced thus far, he also overwhelmingly vouched for Obama's choice for Vice President.

Fitting with today's theme: Securing America's Future, Clinton emphasized the need for better security and policies at home and criticized the current administration's lack of understanding in this area.  "The world has always been impressed by the power of our example, not the example of our power." Clinton said to rousing applause.

Clinton's theme tonight is clear:  Obama will bring America the change it craves and needs.

Waiting for the Big Show

Things have been pretty slow since Barack's official nomination.  Even though the Pepsi Center floor is mostly full, the few empty seats indicate that everyone is waiting for the main events:  Bill Clinton & Joe Biden.  Bill Clinton is scheduled to open up at 7:00 pm but looking at the schedule we're running behind. 

I have no doubt that we're going to see very soon a repeat of what happened last night with regards to floor access.  With everyone anticipating Bill Clinton's speech I expect to see the aisles balloon the floor capacity.

There were some moments of excitement since the nomination though.  One being a performance by Melissa Etheridge (which I managed to catch most of on video).  Most recently by US House Representative Patrick Murphy, an Iraq war veteran, and several of his comrades.

Looking around me right now though, things are beginning to pick up.  I'll be sure to take pics. :)

Rules Suspended!

It's pandemonium here on the DNC floor as New Mexico yielded it's votes to Illinois who in turn yielded it's votes to New York.  Senator Hillary Clinton joined the New York Delegation and moved that the rules of the roll call be suspended and Barack Obama be officially nominated by the Democratic Party as it's candidate.

This move seems to have won great favor with Hillary Clinton supporters here and hopefully will send a message to all Democrats that it is time to unite and elect Barack Obama as the next President of the United States.

Halfway Through

So far and as expected, Senator Barack Obama has the most votes in the roll call.  However in an odd move though California has passed.

Idaho just claimed to be the state that gave Barack Obama the most support.  True, but under the US Flag it's still the US Virgin Islands.

Illinois also just passed.

It's Time For The Historic Moment

I'm here on the floor where right now the nomination speeches are being made and we're about to start the roll call.  This moment is a mere few minutes away.

The Virgin Islands delegation is here anxiously awaiting the roll call.

It's not too late to join us here on the web.  I'm available right now on Yahoo! Messenger if anyone wants to connect with anyone near me here at the Convention.  hector_squiabro@yahoo.com

Stay tuned for more!

Day 3

I managed to catch up with the Virgin Islands Delegation this morning at their breakfast meeting.  I snagged a few pics and I caught them with a surprise video.  You can view the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkJ8bFBiBjA

The Day 3 photo set has also been started.  It's located here: http://www.vihistory.com/COMMUNITY/photos/dnc083/default.aspx

Right now I'm in the Blogger's Lounge.  It's much more manageable today (but that's probably because the Pepsi Center activities won't convene for another 10 minutes).  I'm going to head up there and plant myself on the floor for the next 6 hours.

Stay tuned.

Madness!

That's the single word I have to use to describe today.  Instead of spending the day at the Pepsi Center like I did yesterday, I wanted to give you guys a look at what it looks like on the ground here in Downtown Denver.  It's madness!  You'll have to see the pics when I post them up in the Day 2 gallery.

In a few minutes Hillary Clinton will give the keynote address tonight.  The house is packed!  More so that yesterday.  Wait until I post the pics I took today.  The line to get get within the boundary of the Pepsi Center is just unreal.  After waiting for close to a half hour outside, I got into the Pepsi Center only to discover the Fire Marshall locked off the floor.  It didn't matter what pass you have, nobody was getting back in. One delegate left the floor to go to the bathroom only to discover almost immediately she couldn't get back in.

I waited for a few minutes but it didn't look like it was going to open up any soon.  So I made my way to the trusty Blogger's Lounge.  I've NEVER seen this room this full.  It might have something to do with the floor being off limits at the moment.

So here I am contemplating just heading back to the hotel and posting my pics there or sticking it out here so I can check out Hillary's speech.  On the plus side, if I head back to the hotel now I can be ensured a good night sleep and I can make the breakfast meeting in the morning.  Last night I didn't get in until 11pm and I fell asleep adding more pics to the Day 1 gallery (I finished uploading pics there earlier today).

This is just a smidgen of the madness I witnessed today.  I'd talk more about it but I think I can do it better with the pictures.

Alas after working my butt off to get back in here, I think I'm going to head on back to the hotel.  I have a lot to show you all and I think I can tell the story better in pictures.

P.S.  I know I mentioned putting the Michelle Obama speech on YouTube, but the video is way to big for me to attempt to upload it (1.5 gigabytes!).  Fortunately, Barack took care of it for you.  You can check out the speech here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/6f97634bd9bbbd1a/3javIj/VEsH/

Quick Post

Just a quick check in.  They're closing the blogger lounge for a few so I don't have a whole lot of time.

I've added a few more pics to the gallery and started a Day 2 gallery (only one pic there so far).

I'll have more to say later.  I'm off to a tailgate with Howard Dean.  I'll be sure to take pictures.

Catch you later.

Closing Soon

Well, this is my last update for the night.  The crowd, while still excited, has gotten restless.  No one else can catch up to the excitement that Ted Kennedy generated by speaking a few minutes ago.  It seems now that everyone is ready for the main event: Michelle Obama.  With this crowd, I'll have to discontinue posting for now because when they get going they really get going.

Late, keep an eye out later when I start uploading photos and I'll hopefully be posting up the Michelle Obama speech.

7:00 PM Update

I need some better titles...

Excitement here at the Convention has hit fever pitch after a slow start.  The house is now packed.  PACKED!  I can see a few empty seats in the distance but I'm not sure who they belong to.

More of the Virgin Islands Delegation have arrived here at the Pepsi Center.  Cecil Benjamin, Kevin Rodriguez, Delegate Donna Christensen and Senator Shawn Michael-Malone are now present. We've also been joined by special guest Lt. Governor Gregory Francis.

We're currently ahead of scheduled here so we're taking a little party break.  The band is excellent.  We just heard from Jesse Jackson, Jr. on why we need to elect Barack Obama next President of the United States.  We also spotted Lorna Thomas in the distance (she moved too fast for me to get a pic).  

Ah, see James O'Bryan has joined us as well.  

We're getting close to the main event, which is Michelle Obama's keynote address.  I'll be sure to get this on video so I can share it with you.

Just a reminder to everyone to feel free to engage me either on this blog or through Yahoo! Messenger.  I can turn on this webcam anytime I like and let you all say hello to whoever I have near me. :)

John Legend Performs at the DNC!

I don't know if they broadcasted this or not, but John Legend was just here and he performed a song for the DNC.  And guess who has a video. ;)

Unfortunately I can't upload it to YouTube without violating their Terms of Usage.  Don't worry, I'll try to put is somewhere later where you can download it. ;)

In the meantime, here's a video I can post.  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYK4Kp7bdFQ

5:00 PM Update

Cecil Benjamin has joined us.

The Democratic Platform was approved.

We've heard from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

What can I say?  So far everyone who's here seem enthused.  The Florida Delegation is having waaaaay too much fun (I swear if I see beach balls again I'm sending that video to YouTube :) ).

Currently on stage is Emil Jones, Jr., the other senator from Illinois.

There he goes.  Reg Weaver is up next.

I really hope you guys are keeping track on CNN...or whatever news outlet you can think of.  They're all here: CNN, CBS News, FOX News (tee hee), PBS, the BBC, ABC News, you name it they're all here.

More Delegates Are Here

Shawna Richards and Robert Rios have joined us.

Also, the Credentials Committee Report was just accepted by a Convention.