Biden backing Obama's call for change

Less than an hour after Bill Clinton’s Aug. 27 speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Joe Biden, Obama’s recently announced running mate, took the stage to mass applause. Biden, famous for being a man of many words, did not shy away from the microphone.

The Boulder Weekly press seat revealed an ample view of the speakers’ teleprompter, and it was a relief to see Biden sporadically deviate from it. His verbosity seemed less like an effort to pile on charm, and more of an honest desire to engage in communication. It was a respite from the laid-out speeches that so many politicos, scared of swerving from the prescribed idiom of a party, recite verbatim.

After an official acceptance of his nomination of Obama’s running mate for the Democratic presidential ticket, Biden was ready to show his speaking skills.

The speech began as a sort of personality introduction, in which he relayed anecdotes and memories about his family and upbringing. Most memorable was the recollection of his mother (who was present at the speech) sending him back out of the house to bloody the noses of whomever knocked him down. The references to his middle-class upbringing were revealed to set up an illustration of the American dream — one that Biden feels is slipping away with the current administration.

At this juncture, Biden began an endless address of current American economic issues, circled around gas, energy, education and health-care costs. And, as could be expected, he went on to further describe how those woes play into America’s big decision. The result was essentially: Barack Obama will bring us that change; John McCain will not.

In fact, Biden’s speech began to morph into something reminiscent of the protest cheers on the Denver streets this week. In the days prior to Biden’s speech, protesters demanding the right to voice their views in unrestricted areas shouted the mantra, “They say, ‘Get back!’; We say, ‘Fight back!’” Inside the convention halls, Biden stood at the podium, citing line after line of McCain’s future economic plans for America. After each line he powerfully stated, “That’s not change!” while the audience repeated back with him, “That’s more of the same!”

The audience held up signs, as if on cue. One red sign expressed the McCain=same sentiment. Another blue sign stated that Obama is the change we need.

The simultaneous colorful outburst of these signs signified a celebrated unity. It was effective, to say the least — there was no debate or differing within the public audience. But it also seemed distinctly uniform, as though the supporters were mere automatons using the appropriate signs and response shouts, mechanically cheering at every third sentence at the mention of Obama or change.

Biden’s speech continued to address the Iraq war, comparing McCain’s stances on Afghanistan with those of Obama. Again, the yes/no slogan was chanted back to the audience with fervor twice in between statements: “John McCain was wrong. Barack Obama was right.” Biden asked the audience to repeat it, and they wasted no time in doing so.

Biden wrapped up his sentiments with his excitement to join Obama in his campaign, noting that some of our greatest presidents — Lincoln, Roosevelt and Kennedy — all challenged Americans to embrace change.

At the end of his speech the crowd was elated, cheering vehemently. And just when all the reporters were ready to pack up their bags and head out, a special surprise guest was announced.

Barack Obama, who had just arrived in Denver earlier that day, was introduced to the stage. He took the time to greet those who spoke on his behalf and approached a crowd whose applause could not be silenced. In the face of camera flashes and stretched necks, he briefly spoke to thank the crowd and speakers. He expressed his approval of Biden as a running mate and his excitement for the next day’s speech at Mile High.

His presence was brief, but for a few moments an electricity surged through the room. If this energy was any preview for Obama’s official acceptance speech, then you can guarantee that change is in the air.


Above: a shot of Obama during a surprise visit to the Pepsi Center on Aug. 27 after Joe Biden’s nomination acceptance speech. Photo by Erica Grossman.

—EG

The Lion in Autumn

The roll call of the states promised to be very boring. Everyone knew that Obama would be the nominee. Hillary Clinton had released her delegates. As states where Hillary had won the primary began to vote heavily for Obama, the result was clear. So why was the auditorium nearly full? Why were people in the very top section of the Pepsi Center fighting for seats? The story was out that when the roll call got to New York, Hillary herself would call for the Obama nomination to be made unanimous. Illinois had passed during the alphabetical roll call. We were listening to state after state tell us about their wonders, and their favorite Democratic politicians. We learned that Montana stretches from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains, backbone of the continental divide! We were mentally trying to figure out how many states there were alphabetically between Montana and New York. Finally we got to New Jersey. Was there a state between New Jersey and New York? But New Jersey yielded to Illinois, and Illinois yielded to New York, and the enormous presence of Hillary Clinton entered the hall. She came in from one of the entrances where the Denver Nuggets players come in. The area went entirely crazy. It was actually exciting. Why was it exciting, with people screaming, and crying? Really crying. Try to explain the dynamics of a crowd. It was “a moment.”

Then came a series of speeches from various notables. There was really no need to recount what the nominee will do. Be a good commander in chief, leap tall building with a single bound, be a good commander in chief, take care of our wounded warriors, be a good commander in chief, give health care to every American, be a good commander in chief, etc. But the speakers did so anyway.

Then the arena gradually became attentive again. There were no seats. People were seated in all of the aisles. The fire marshall must have been asleep. We were told that people with legitimate entry passes were denied entrance unless they already had a seat in the arena. Bill Clinton was due to speak, and the Democrats were getting ready for him. Bill Clinton is one of the two native born Americans over 35 years old who cannot be elected president of the United States. The other one is George W Bush. The other two living presidents, Jimmy Carter and George H W Bush, were not elected to two terms, and could, in theory, be elected again. The ovation for Bill Clinton, when he finally appeared, was incredible. It greatly exceeded the ovation Hillary Clinton had been given the night before. And he could not get them to stop. The cheering stopped and restarted several times. If only Bill could be the nominee one more time! But he can’t be. And Bill Clinton, the lion in autumn, loved every minute. And the more he loved it, the more the crown loved him back. This lion, with all of his accomplishments and flaws, was their lion. They loved him.

If this was “Casey at the Bat”, this slugger hit the very first pitch over the fence. And to deep center field. When this Clinton said that Obama was ready to be commander in chief, the assembled believed him. They hoped the rest of the country would believe him as well. And probably, aside from the diehard Clinton haters, they will.

That was a tough act to follow. It was well followed by Joe Biden, the nominee for vice president. He gave a great speech. The aisles were no longer full of sitting people. Bill Clinton has taken the air out of the auditorium.

We have been told, by the experts and by the former president, what the candidate will do when elected. Now, for me at least, I need to hear it from the candidate himself. I need to hear it from the “lion in summer.” There is another “lion in winter” who still thinks he can roar.
He will be trying next week.

—Jerry Sallo

After Rage...

Boulder Weekly is currently at the intersection of Lawrence Street and Broadway, observing a massive (at least 2,000 people) anti-war march led by Iraq Veterans. The march started outside of the Denver Coliseum after this afternoon's Rage Against the Machine concert. Protesters are en route to the Pepsi Center, hoping to have their voices heard.
-Dana Logan

Harder than ever to say goodbye to Hillary

Having viewed election-year conventions dating back to 1964 on television, and now witnessing this year’s Democratic National Convention in person, it is clear to me that this is one event that loses something in the translation from the venue to the box. There is a fundamental energetic difference that is palpable in the room that magnifies both ends of the emotional spectrum.

The boredom evoked by the endless repetition of “we can’t afford another four years of the status quo, which is why we need to elect Sen. Barack Obama as the next President of the United States” resides on one end of the spectrum. And the excitement inspired by the relatively rare speaker who touches the hopes and dreams of those who care enough to suffer through the ubiquitous inconveniences and annoyances to be part of this auspicious event is, thankfully, found at the other.

Perhaps aside from the speech yet to come from the nominee himself, the 25 minutes during which Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton ignited the standing-room-only crowd at the Pepsi Center will be remembered as the defining moment of the 2008 DNC. Simply put, Clinton delivered — big time. And even though she accomplished her mission of placing her formidable support firmly behind Obama and uniting the Democratic Party, she did it so brilliantly that the question of whether she should have been the nominee herself looms larger than ever.

Of course, there is little point in opening that particular can of worms, as the question is moot. Barack Obama is the nominee, and if Clinton herself can exemplify her acceptance of that by subordinating what must be her own profound sense of disappointment and betrayal to serve the greater good, so should her supporters. But again, did she have to do it in such a way as to provide irrefutable proof that she herself is exactly the kind of selfless public servant that the last eight years have left us thirsting for?

What does merit examination against the backdrop of Clinton’s first official concession is the nature of the political stage upon which her defeat was played out, a stage that was set by George W and Co. And the trimmings of economic decline and governmental misbehavior with which the present administration has adorned that stage have everything to do with whom the casting committee — we the people — will choose to play the role of President of the United States.

The reality of the extraordinary campaign of the candidate who many believe should rightfully be the first woman to serve as our president is that the casting committee has something else in mind: someone very different; someone who can’t be linked in any way, shape or form to Washington politics as usual; and certainly someone who doesn’t have one of the same two last names that have been the addressees of the White House for the past 20 years!

History, as they say, repeats itself. And in 1976, on a similar stage also set with the dressings of economic decline and governmental misbehavior, a Washington outsider named James Earl Carter became the Democratic nominee. Virtually unknown at the national level, Carter capitalized on the public disgust that was felt toward the Nixon-Ford administration and defeated an incumbent president (Ford), portraying himself as fresh, honest and disconnected with the corrupt Washington political machine.
Carter, who was merely a former governor of Georgia during his campaign for the presidency, ran against a formidable field of U.S. senators and governors far more experienced than he was, including Sen. Hubert Humphrey (who was also the 1968 Democratic presidential nominee), Gov. Jerry Brown (Calif.), Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (Tex.), Sen. Robert Byrd (W.Va.), Sen. Walter Mondale (Minn.) and Gov. George Wallace (Ala.). But the political stage was set, and Jimmy Carter was perfectly cast as the antidote for the mistrust the American public felt at that time toward its leadership.

There is no question that Hillary Clinton brought a far more impressive resume into the campaign than Barack Obama. And to anyone who has witnessed her impressive campaign, which officially ended on Tuesday evening at the DNC with what will certainly be remembered as one of the most dynamic and impassioned speeches in American political history, it is clear that she could have been a great president. She deserves all of the respect and admiration that was clearly felt for her by the emotional and demonstrative crowd at the Pepsi Center that night. It is truly unfortunate that the timing of her campaign was out of sync with the particular thirst being felt at this exact moment in history by the American people.

But as Shakespeare said, “There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood leads on to fortune.” And much like Jimmy Carter took the flood in the tide of public mistrust in government to the presidency, so it will be with Barack Obama. We are similarly disgusted with the corruption in our government as we were in 1976, and Obama represents the same fresh, honest persona that we found so appealing in Carter.
The Republicans have a tough road ahead with their candidate of choice, John McCain, especially if they continue to campaign against Obama as an inexperienced outsider. For these are exactly the qualities that helped him take the Democratic nomination from Clinton, and McCain is even more closely linked than she is to the status quo to which the electorate is so averse.

For those of us who supported Clinton, our sadness should be quelled with the knowledge that our democracy may not be as broken as many of us fear. It is the will of the people that lies at the hub of the principles of democracy, and it is the will of the people that has led to this outcome. And in a world more rife with shouldn’t-be’s than ever, that’s as it should be.

— SS

An interview with a "Redneck for Obama"

Obama's supporters are a pretty diverse crowd. Les Spencer, from Raleigh, Missouri, is a good example of some of the less obvious types of people that are backing the Democratic nominee.

BW: What makes you consider yourself a redneck?
LS: I’ll tell you what. I’ve raised hogs, I raised cows, I’ve raised chickens. I’ve always put in a garden. I watch Nascar. I own guns. I fish, hunt. And, I don’t know, I think if that don’t qualify me to be a redneck, I don’t know what the hell would.

BW: And why are you for Obama?
LS: I think he’s the right man for the job. He’s a very intelligent man. He speaks well. He’s well-versed, he’s well educated. And, uh, kind of a fresh thing from what we’ve had for the last seven years. And I think he’s honest, too. I think he’d be a uniter more than a divider. I think he’d unite the country. I think he’d unite the free world. And uh, peoples are gonna get behind him, I think.

BW: And those are ideals that rednecks hold?
LS: This redneck does. You know, I want healthcare, too. The Republicans have had the reign on health care for a long time. They keep talking and harping about free enterprise for health. That we’ve got the best health system in the world and don’t tear it up. Well that’s nice — if you can afford it. But there’s 50-some million people that can’t afford it. The way I see it, and I can’t see where they’ve done one-iota thing.

BW: Anything else you’d like to add?
LS: I don’t guess.

—DRL
Photos by Dana Logan

Day Two of DNC — protests mellow

Tuesday was a relatively mild day for protesters and police.
Again, there was a relatively small crowd gathered, compared to predictions, and the protesters who were there, seemed disjointed, at best.

There were a few people here and there supporting the same cause, but not one unified group of activists standing for the same principles.

Recreate ’68, who has been claiming to be the umbrella group that would unify the protesters at the DNC, had an information table with schedules of events and legal information, but little more.

Lisa Braxton, who was working Recreate ’68s information booth, defended the T-shirt that the group was selling. The shirt had the words “Defend Denver” printed above a silhouetted image of a machine gun. When asked if that was a symbol of violence, she claimed that it was merely a symbol of resistance — not necessarily violent resistance.
“This is a picture of a machine gun. It’s not a real machine gun. If you want to see real guns, there are lots of folks around here in uniforms carrying real guns. All you’ll see on us is a T-shirt,” Braxton said.

Across the park, a group of anarchists huddled in a circle asking photographers not to take their picture. However, as it was their right to be present on the public property, it is a photographer’s right to take photos on that same public property.

When one hobbyist photographer acted on that right, a small scuffle ensued between him and the group. Police were within 15 feet when it began and it was quickly de-escalated, after which the anarchists walked over to a different section of the park.

In the mid-afternoon, a group of about 50 gathered in front of television crews with banners and signs claiming that “911 was an inside job!” One protester read a lengthy poem about a government conspiracy to take down the twin towers. The protest was peaceful.

All in all, the second day was quite mellow.

—DRL
Photos by Dana Logan

Hillary and the Magic Speech

Last night at the DNC Hillary took the stage to deliver what could be the most important and likely the most difficult speech of her life. Several things about the event were striking as a spectator having never seen one of her appearances in person before.

After witnessing speech after speech by representative from congress, state governors, committee chairs and ordinary individuals who represent the Democratic Party, I can say that after the raucous applause died down, within the first two minutes of the speeches the din in the hall grew and grew and it was clear the crowd was absolutely not listening.

The most striking thing about Hillary was the way she was able to own that stage. She literally took up all the space in the entire Pepsi Center, with grace, style, tremendous appeal and fantastic charisma. Between uproarious applause and tear-streaked faces, you could hear a pin drop. She presented herself as the powerful image of what is possible to achieve for women in our country now, that was fundamentally not so before she began her candidacy.

What’s important to note about the speech is that she struck the perfect tone to help convince her supporters to come back into the fold. She did not try to laud Barak Obama with personal praise for the man he is. She did not fawn over him and do what would have been insincere and not plausible; to tell her supporters that she likes him and thinks he’s a great guy. I know she is receiving lots of criticism from talking heads the morning after for not doing just that. But if she had, it would have been obviously inconsistent and not believable. Giver her some credit for knowing, understanding and respecting her “sisterhood of the traveling pant-suits.”

What most needs to happen now to retrieve those disaffected, heart-broken Hillary voters is not to try to convince them that Barak Obama is the bees-knees. The real game is in helping them understand who John McCain is, and why it would be an absolute disaster for them to vote for him. That’s what she did, and did masterfully.

She reminded them that John McCain votes consistently against, and is committed to defeating every single solitary issue that is important to women; equal pay for equal work, poor children’s health-care, women’s reproductive freedoms, gay rights, economic fairness for the middle-class, support for military families and quality education for children.

For those who are left without a compass now that Hillary is out of the race, these are the issues that should guide their new direction. It does not have to be about “YES Obama.” That might be unrealistic. What it does have to be about is a resounding, “NO McCain.” That’s what will convince them that a vote for McCain will not make the “we’re angry Hillary didn’t win” statement they long for. It will, in fact, provide the republicans with the chance to demolish every single issue that Hillary has long fought for, and that she will continue to champion in the Senate.

This may be the most savvy political message of the general election that Obama would be smart to adopt. Since republicans would just love to make this campaign be about Obama and his characteristics, rather than about McCain and what he plans to do, Hillary gave the democrats a gift not to be minimized.

Hillary’s speech brought home the point that it’s not about “Yes We Can,” it’s about, “No McCain Can’t.”

- Janet Joyce

Protest updates at BW Twitter

A full account plus photos will be posted to this blog later. Until then, you can receive up-to-date accounts of the downtown protests by visiting:

http://twitter.com/boulderweekly

We'll be sending brief messages via text messages to inform our readers of the latest in activist demonstrations throughout the evening at that website.

-Erica Grossman and Dana Logan

Lunch with the delegates

Boulder Weekly editor Pamela White is currently at the LBGT luncheon with Michelle Obama and Jared Polis. Four LGBT delegates are in attendance.

Is Michelle a Great Pretender?

Seldom does an event give rise to as many stories as a political convention during an election year. And simply being in immediate proximity to the Pepsi Center provides an unobstructed view through which a plethora of stories can be witnessed. From the unprecedentedly tight security (you can't get anywhere near the DNC without credentials, and then it's like getting through an airport terminal), to the "Obama Loves Gays" signs (replete with stick-figure images engaged in "dogie-style" sex), to the mindless, bandwagon-jumping delegates (most of whom seem to be connected electronically to a switch that causes them to erupt in concert upon hearing a preselected list of phrases - such as Nancy Pelosi's unbelievably lame "John McCain is wrong"); this DNC is a petri dish where stories grow at a bacteria-like pace.

The tension between those protesting outside the convention and those caught up in the euphoria of "Obamania" inside is, of course, one of the best stories to explore. We all agree that things need to change, but those outside "The Can" call for changes that are far more radical than those inside, who seem to believe that the best way to achieve change is to work within the system. I have to admit that part of me lies in each camp, and being inside the DNC - as I was yesterday and will be for the next three days - subjected me to the best and the worst of what the system has to offer.

An endless steam of uninspiring speakers, offering little but platitudes and worn out rhetoric finally gave way to something truly special when an ailing Sen. Edward Kennedy provided the first source of inspiration of the evening in an eleventh-hour decision to take the floor. This man is a leader in the truest sense of the word, and I would love to spend my blogging time extolling the virtues of his vanishing breed of politicians who truly care about the common people they have pledged to serve. But I have something else on my mind, so suffice it to say that Kennedy's address was the first sign that this DNC just might be poised to fulfill its potential as a catalyst for the reversing of course so many of us feel is needed.

While considerably less inspiring, and certainly less emotional, Michelle Obama's address was the most blogworthy event of the evening. To create the proper context, one must wander back to the "blunder" that the would-be first lady made last February when she proclaimed, "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country." Predictably, this statement provided the perfect opportunity for Obama's opponents to pounce, and pounce they did, as this misunderstood statement could so easily be dressed up as proof that the Obamas are unsuitable for the White House by virtue of their "lack of patriotism."

During the ensuing seven months, Michelle Obama has been preparing for the moment when she could "set the record straight." No, she is not an angry black woman, bitter about the way her people have been treated in America. No. She really does love her country and is grateful for the many opportunities she has been afforded. What happened to her people in the past, and what continues to happen to most of them, well, that was then and all is forgiven. Especially now that her hubby is on the verge of becoming The Chief, and anything else from his running "mate" would be damaging to his electability.

So, when Michelle Obama approached the microphone and smiled her first smile, it was already obvious what she was going to say. The key word was "love," and by the time she walked off the stage Michelle Obama had done her job: She had dispelled the misconception that she is a black woman who is angry about injustice, and successfully re-branded herself as a loving wife, a loving mother, a loving daughter, a lover of (the Christian) God, and - above all else - a lover of her country.

And I say, what a pity that our political system robs people running for leadership positions of their souls as a prerequisite for inclusion. I don't blame Michelle Obama for this; she did what she had to do to help her husband get elected, which is, by the way, a goal that we share. But she had to sell her soul to do it, and that's where I find myself a spirit more kindred with those outside the building, and the system, than those inside. Because when your goal is to stay inside there's no telling what you'll do or say. And that's where truth can become lie, and right can become wrong.

Has Michelle Obama really lost the anger she feels about the injustices, past and present, that have been committed against African Americans in this country? Without question, the answer is no. Rather, she's just pretending in an ends-justify-the-means charade.

Do we really want leaders who pretend they're not angry about injustice? And, to get right to heart of the matter: Can we continue to support a political system that requires our leaders to make pretences - about anything? For my money, give me a leader who tells it like it is. I'm not saying that Barack Obama isn't that kind of leader, but his wife's capitulations at the DNC cause me to wonder.

SS

The Lion in Winter

I have listened to, or watched, political conventions since the 1940 Republicans nominated Wendel Wilkie. I have never had the opportunity to attend in person. It's an incredible experience compared to watching it on TV. It's more emotional, less intellectual. You are less informed about what is going on, and more involved as a person.

The high point for me was the Kennedy duo, Caroline and Ted. Ted was surely "The Lion in Winter". Hobbled by age and a brain cancer, and still the fiery liberal trying to fix the world. But now he is fixing it for a generation he knows he will never see.. And promising to be on the floor of the senate in January of 2009. Watching the Teddy of old in the Ken Burns presentation of Ted's life was both moving and sad. Sad for the effect that time has had, or will have, on all of us. And sad for the tragic fate of the younger Kennedy brothers, and the lost opportunity for our country that resulted.

The presentation by Caroline was even more meaningful for me. I remember the call by JFK to "ask not..." But even more powerful was his statement that "the torch has been passed to a new generation, born in this century, tempered by war..." (this is remembered, not Googled) I was very moved by his words in 1960. I have not been moved, at least not yet, by Obama's words. Maybe you need to be 30 years old, as I was in 1960, to feel that hope. Ted Kennedy feels that hope, even with terminal brain cancer. There's a major lesson in that!

This year, we again have the opportunity to pass the torch on to a new generation as we did to Kennedy.

Or backwards!

Jerry Sallo

Rock on!

As the first day of the Democratic National Convention drew to a close yesterday, I realized that I was at the political equivalent of a rock concert — or, more aptly, a rock festival. Rather than four days of rock bands, with minor acts during the daytime and headliners at night, it's four days of political speakers. Instead of waggling bare breasts and throwing panties onto the stage or holding up lighters, the screaming throng wave signs, though many are just as creatively dressed as with body paint and glitter.

The parallels go on. At a rock concert, the hot lead singer can make 20,000 people scream by shouting, "Rock and roooooooll!" loudly into the mic. At the DNC, all anyone need do is shout the words "next president" and "Barack Obama" in the mic and the crowd is on its feet.

As far as opening acts go, pretty much everyone prior to Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) received anemic applause, with the exception of Nancy Pelosi, who did a little audience singalong with "Barack Obama is right, and McCain is wrong."

Then Jackson took the stage.

"I'm certain that Dr. King is aware, looking down on us, that this is the first political convention to take place in sight of a mountain top," he said, describing America as a nation "yearning for change and hungry for unity."

He told the now-enthusiastic crowd that Obama represents the idea "that we all have a stake in each other, that the well-being of the 'we' depends on the well-being of the 'he' and the 'she,

that we... rise and fall together as one nation."

"While America may not be perfect," he went on, "our union can always be perfected. We need a leader who can heal the wounds of the lat four years... We need Barack Obama."

And the crowd was on its feet.

Soon, Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late John F. Kennedy, was welcomed to the stage to the strains of "Sweet Caroline" — a cheesy touch, really. Her words had a visible impact on the crowd when she invoked the legacy of Camelot, saying, "I've never had anyone to inspire me the way people say my father inspired them. But I do now."

She was referring to Obama, of course.

But she also offered an eloquent tribute to her uncle, Sen. Teddy Kennedy, who was recently diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Her speech was followed by a tribute video featuring some of Sen. Kennedy's best moments.

It was the first "lighter" moment of the night, poignant and bittersweet, and was followed by the arrival of Kennedy himself to deafening applause. Even some folks in the press stands forgot they were media and applauded, some of them not even American.

Michelle Obama was the night's main act, her stirring speech about her own life and that of her husband and how the two of them share the beliefs and desires of mainstream Americans capping off the evening with a standing ovation — and a glimpse of the true headliner, Barack Obama.

After four days of frenzied speeches praising him, we'll finally see him in person on Thursday at Mile High Stadium, all of the speakers merely a warm-up for a speech that is almost certain to go down in history for its eloquence. (For, although all men may be created equal, all speakers are not, and Obama is heads above any other political figure in the United States today.)

Of interest is the way the speakers lined up to reveal the Democratic National Committee's strategy. The day started with a lengthy appeal to Latino voters, followed by a focus on women's and children's issues with abortion rights, health care and education in the spotlight, and then a tight focus on family and faith. (It caused eye-rolls in the press stands each time a speaker referred to "faith" or talked about the United States as "one nation, under God," one German reporter noting that no European would link religion and politics in such a way.)

Today, the speakers will feature Sen. Hillary Clinton, who is expected to urge her supporters to put their votes behind Obama. Still very vocal, Clinton fans cheered loudly at any mention of her name. No doubt she'll provide them with a chance or two to lift their lighters tonight.

—Pamela White

DNC protests get violent

At 6 p.m. we walked through Civic Center Park in downtown Denver to observe protest groups. The scene was surprisingly mellow. Several small organizations banded in different areas of the park. Seemingly solitary protesters sporting bandana masks walked throughout the park — some carrying signs. The riot police traveled throughout the park in groups of 8 to 12. Little taunting or provocation occurred.

At 6:45 p.m., we noticed several individuals (mostly those with bandanna masks) running toward the County Courthouse, located across from the park at Bannock Street. We followed.

That’s when the scene became violent.

Protesters began to flood Bannock Street, while cops demanded that everyone stay on the sidewalk. Because the police were fairly dispersed at this point, protesters and media (ourselves included) were able to easily infiltrate the street. As more police were called in, we were forced back to the sidewalk. Protesters demanded everyone to “Take back the streets.” The general outcry was over the fact that protesters should not be limited to confined areas in order to voice their First Amendment rights. We witnessed three protesters sprayed by police. Below are photos of the victims:


At this point, protesters changed directions. People began crowding around the opposite end of the park, towards 15th Street, forcing traffic to a standstill. We followed at a running pace, darting in front of cars to keep up with the crowd.

By 7 p.m. we found ourselves huddled with hundreds of protesters, police, media and observers at the intersection of 15th and Cleveland streets. Swarms of police squads pounded through the streets, demanding that citizens stay confined to the sidewalks. Those that were non-compliant quickly formed a huddle in the street and were subsequently surrounded by police in the middle of 15th Street. The police first checked them for weapons and separated those protesters that were under the age of 18. The fates of the adult protesters were, at that point, yet to be determined.

The crowd began screaming chants — everything from “They say, ‘Get back!’; We say, ‘Fight back!’” to the back-and-forth call, “What does a police state look like? This is what a police state looks like!” Several citizens pushed up against the police and were pushed back. At least one individual spray painted the wall of the building that served the police in helping to contain activists with anarchy symbols and the phrases, “Kill a cop” and “Fuck a pig.”

The energy was extremely tense. At several points, protesters provoked police to push back. This often resulted in many individuals running back toward the park in a frenzy.

Some of the surrounded street protesters were arrested. Those arrested were handcuffed with blue plastic cuffs, and taken behind police vans, out of visual sight.

The scene remained charged for hours. Many anti-police sentiments were shouted at the cops, who were armed in full riot gear — helmets with shield masks; bullet-proof vests; batons; pepper spray; plastic handcuffs; and guns. Several carried rifles, which we believe were rubber-bullet weapons. At the intersection of Court and 15th streets, to which the standoff extended, at least 30 police were mounted on horses. The horses also wore protective eyewear.

The crowd eagerly yelled for the police to release the remaining protesters who were still surrounded. At roughly 9 p.m., they did.

Massive applause, screams, whistles and fist pumping signified a victory for the activists. Those demonstrators who were released walked back through the crowd, en route to Civic Center Park, with their hands in the air and many pats on the back.

After a few minutes, it became clear that police were still holding several demonstrators, and the excitement of victory waned. The tension returned. Though confined to the sidewalk, heated chants were shouted.


People began to disperse at about 10 p.m.

Within 20 minutes, the vibe had changed. Many protesters and observers began to idly chat. Some even rested their legs and sat down.

Police remained positioned at the edge of the sidewalk, disallowing any attempt to flood the street.


When we left the scene at 11 p.m., many police and authority vehicles had left. A handful of protesters and observers straggled up and down the sidewalk, though without the enthusiasm they had pursued only hours earlier.

According to sources, 91 people were arrested. It is estimated that at least 300 were originally detained.

Needless to say, it was a long bike ride back to BW DNC headquarters.

—EG & DRL
Photos by Erica Grossman and Dana Logan

Three Generations

Upon arriving at the Pepsi Center for the first day of the DNC, amid all of the spectacle of the event and against the backdrop of awe that such an occasion evokes, it occurred to me that three generations of Sallos had just entered the building. My dad, Jerry Sallo - officially the Vice President of the Board of Directors of Boulder Weekly, Inc. - and my daughter, Julia Sallo - who has accepted the title and the responsibilities associated with her title, Heiress, are the generations before and after me that comprise the "Sallo Sandwich" representing Boulder Weekly.

The significance of this is found within the many changes that have occurred in our country from the post-depression and pre-WWII 1930s, when my dad grew up, to the troubled times in which my daughter has come of age. Between the three of us, we have seen Presidents Hoover, Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower (when I entered the picture), Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush the first (when Julia was born), Clinton, and Bush the second. This wide spectrum of leadership spans 78 years, during which the United States of America has been the world's hero, the world's villain, and everything in between.

Now we are at the precipice of new leadership, and despite the wide gaps between us in age, experience and lifestyle, the three generations of the Sallo family are firmly in agreement that Barack Obama should be the next president of the United States. All three of us will be reporting from the Pepsi Center over the course of the coming week, and hope to provide a triumvirate of opinion on this momentous event.
-SS

The world is watching

Today’s the big day. Though demonstrations began Saturday evening, today delegates, politicians and the media horde converge on Denver’s Pepsi Center for the opening of the 2008 Democratic Convention.

Security is tight with a capital T-I-G-H-T. The streets surrounding the Pepsi Center are closed. The press parking lots are a good 15-minute hike away, separated from the event center by concrete blockades and multiple security checkpoints. Media burdened like donkeys lug laptops, multiple cell phones, tripods, cameras, recording equipment and all manner of electrical cords through the checkpoints, showing our press tags, which are digitally scanned.

The major networks are, of course, commanding premium space. Across from the working press stands are boxes set aside for CNN, PBS, CBS, NBS and Faux News, er… Fox.

Right now musical acts are rehearsing in what seems to be a giant sound check, an enormous electronic display behind the speaker podium glittering with iridescent floating stars and red and white stripes.

Among the reporters surround us are a handful from African nations and scores from Europe and Asia — Scandinavia, Italy, Japan, Korea, China. It’s a reminder that this convention — and specifically this election — is important to the entire world.

Europeans, who loved President Clinton but can’t abide George W, are waiting to see whether the American people redeem themselves by ousting the GOP and righting the wrongs done to the international community by the Bush administration. Excited by Sen. Barack Obama’s visit to Europe a few weeks ago, they’re hopeful that the United States, plagued with a bad economy and chastened by lack of progress in Iraq and failing international support, will behave as the great Winston Churchill said Americans behave: by doing the right thing after all other options have been exhausted.

The media, a cynical lot, are busy analyzing and over analyzing everything. As one stands in line waiting for one’s many bags to be searched, one overhears speculation that Clinton supporters are pissed. (Well, no kidding.) Some even wondered aloud whether Sen. Hillary Clinton might, in the wake of Obama’s choice of Joe Biden for his running mate, have enough votes to clinch the nomination. Expect mainstream media to hit the Clinton angle hard today.

Insider hint: When reporters start interviewing reporters, it means they have nothing to report.

The convention officially begins at 3 this afternoon. Right now, delegates and media alike are just trying to get to the Pepsi Center.

—Pamela White

Photos by Dana Logan

City Park, Denver, Colo.
8-24-08
Shots of the original fountain from the 1908 Democratic National Convention, hosted in Denver. This fountain was resurrected last week — not seen since the 1970s. City Park marks the spot for several protest groups upcoming in the next few days. Stay tuned to see what happens.
—DRL & EG
Photos by Dana Logan

Sunday evening, calming down

After a day of protests, the streets have finally calmed down. Earlier this afternoon, a variety of protest groups packed several downtown streets from Broadway and Colfax Avenue through the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall. Anti-abortion groups and Republican voters touting “Nobama” signs could be seen in front of the State Capitol. While no arrests were made this afternoon, heated tension between local police authorities and citizens was apparent. Military helicopters zoomed overhead during the peak protest times. Sunday afternoon was an early start to what is expected to be one of the largest organized protest efforts in the country.

City Park, where many protest groups will be making rounds, has been quiet.

Spike Lee is across the street from official BW DNC headquarters (Colfax and Steele) at Mezcal, a Mexican-themed bar on East Colfax, where he has expressed his anti-Fox News sentiments.

Tomorrow, we’ll be hitting the streets at 10 a.m. Stay tuned for more DNC updates.

-EG

Boulder Weekly at the DNC

Beginning Sunday, Aug. 24, Boulder Weekly will be in Denver reporting live from the Democratic National Convention. Throughout the week, we will be blogging about what we see, not only inside the convention where the politicians and delegates are, but also outside on the streets of Denver where protesters are hoping to have their voices heard.
While many of the mainstream media sources will be, essentially, ignoring the protesters, Boulder Weekly, the only independent, alternative newspaper in Boulder, will be covering the protests as only an alt-weekly can.

We’ll have coverage of this historic event in the regular print edition of our paper, but we’ll also be keeping you posted with up-to-date information on what’s going on, as it’s happening. So stay tuned to the blog for more details and to keep an eye on the DNC from the perspective of Boulder County’s only independent newspaper.