Day Two:

Tuesday- August 26, 2008

The morning started with a bright and early breakfast to get us ready for the day. The majority of our group was gone to their state delegate breakfasts, so the remaining members rallied for a political debate.

A Breakfast Debate

Our debate topic was health care, so each side had to choose an argument highlighting the pros or cons of public universal health care. Each side came up with solid points. The pro side claimed that a universal health care system would allow for the 47 million Americans who don’t have health care to receive and afford the much-needed care they deserve. The opposing side argued that the biggest problem with the ideal of universal health care is that our government simply can’t afford it. My side was against universal health care, and although I advocate 100 percent for universal health care, I thought it would be a challenge to explore the arguments of the other side of the issue. This activity was an eye opener and actually beneficial to the broadening of my own view of situations.

A Real Live “Denvercrat”

Once the rest of the group returned, we had a lecture from our guest speaker Colorado Democrat Carolyn Boller. “Denvercrat” Boller explained to us the history of the Denver Democratic Party and how that story has affected her own life story. After she finished, we had lunch, then went upstairs to change into our business casual attire for our next activities. At 1:15, we loaded the buses on the way to the Rocky Mountain Round Tables on Emergency Preparedness.

When we left the Rocky Mountain Round Tables, we headed back to the hotel for a quick change into our LeadAmerica T-shirts and jeans, then headed to the DNC Watchfest at the park. The event turned out to be really fun. We got to stop by the vendors who had ribs, bratwursts, blue crab and pizza. There were also tables full of Democratic and Obama pride T-shirts and pins.

Hillary’s Speech

At the end of the night, we all came together and watched in earnest joy as Senator Hillary Clinton gave a surprisingly good speech about democrats uniting in support of Obama. Sen. Clinton also acknowledged the many unfortunate Americans who “for eight long years have felt invisible to their government ” and how, although Senator McCain is a great man and friend, she doesn’t think he has what America wants or needs to run this country. However, in her eyes, Barack does and that’s why he will be the next president of the United States.

Ultimately today turned out to be a very good and full day. Well, I have to go now, because tomorrow is expected to be even busier. This is Ayanna, signing off. Talk to you guys tomorrow.       

Day One: The Kickoff

DENVER -- What’s up everybody?  This is Ayanna, checking in with an update of what’s been going on here in Denver at the Democratic National Convention.

Well first off, today my conference group visited the Colorado State Capitol (pictured right and below) where we learned loads of information about Colorado state senators, governors, and the State House of Representatives.  The capitol just like in many other states stands in a beautiful gold-tipped building with all the grandeur and architecture of the past.  It houses Colorado’s finest who work daily to protect the future of the state's citizens.  The building itself has been there for more than a 100 years and serves as a beacon for Colorado law and stands the test of time. 

After returning to our hotel for lunch, we were privileged to hear from Mr. Andrew H. Potter, who enlightened us with vital knowledge needed to understand the Electoral College system.  During this lecture, Mr. Potter talked about the history and tentative future of electoral voting on the Democratic and Republicans sides.  In the end, we learned a lot about how the electoral college was formed and why electoral votes are going to be so essential in this upcoming election. 

After the lecture, we had dinner and then watched the CNN coverage of the opening ceremonies of the DNC. We tuned in with millions of other Americans at home as the exciting DNC festivities began.  At the close of the night, we all had the extreme pleasure of watching a timeless tribute to Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy of Massachusetts (a longtime Democratic senator who had surgery this summer for brain cancer).

To cap the night, we heard the moving and encouraging words of Michelle Obama (the wife of presidential nominee Barack Obama).  This was my first time hearing her speak, and it was more than just a memorable moment -- it was a momentous ode to the working man, the single mother and American families alike.

When the speeches were over, we did a wrap-up session and a debriefing for the next day.  Well I gotta go now, so I can get some rest for the activities of Tuesday. Catch up with you guys later...so I can give you more updates of what’s going on here in Denver at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.