Delegate's wrap up of the Democratic convention

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September 4, 7:45 AM

by Dorian De Long, Denver Democratic National Convention Examiner

 

Dorian at Invesco...unforgettable

Finally, the Democratic National Convention wrap up.

Everything was leading towards this night on Aug. 28: A historic event to say the least. Beyond just the anniversary of the night and Martin Luther King’s speech, something that has not been lost on anyone, this was going to be something that I won’t ever forget. Tonight has the potential to be a generational defining moment. A real milestone in American history. It certainly has felt like that at times this week.

Again, I always have a difficult time grasping the significance of something of this magnitude at the moment. It often takes a bit of time to really digest what transpires. I understand how unprecedented this moment is, but at the same time, I wonder why it is so unprecedented? Why is nominating a candidate who happens to be African American such a big deal? Why was the fact that another candidate, who just happened to be a woman, so significant? Why has it taken us so long to get to this point in our history? Why are we still so wrapped up with issues of race and gender? The heat must be getting to me.

At any rate, it's awesome to see Invesco transformed for the final night. I had heard rumors that they might have to turn people away because there wouldn't be enough room. The stadium is FULL, but there are still spots from what I can tell so folks to squeeze in.

Governor Ritter's voice was shot when he made his speech and I also heard that the teleprompter blanked out during his speech and he had to wing it. I didn't notice at all.

At one point I left the floor to find a bathroom and when I came back, Sheryl Crowe was wrapping up her performance. By the time I made it back to my seat, my big ugly mug was on the Jumbotron! They were playing a piece that the DNC filmed on me being a first- time delegate. I didn't think they were going to use it since I didn't see it the previous nights. I had no idea that it would be used on the final night. It was a shocker to say the least. I couldn't even watch it because everyone in the Colorado delegation was shouting at me and slapping me on the back. My 2.5 minutes of fame and I didn't even get to really see it. Probably for the best. I can't stand to see myself on TV, let alone the Jumbotron.

Highlights:

I was stoked that I got a chance to see Stevie Wonder! And I'm almost certain that Herbie Hancock was on stage with him as well.

Al Gore's speech was great! I often wonder what the country would be like if the 2000 election had turned out differently.

The whole stage set up kind of creeped me out, just a little. The Roman Forum thing just didn't do it for me, and it blocked the view of the people behind it. It sort of reminded me of something from an old episode of Star Trek.

Senator Obama's speech was amazing. I was able to record it on my iPod and it actually sounds pretty good. Again, the impact and significance of this moment hasn't quite caught up to me yet. The fireworks and confetti definitely gave it that "rock concert feel," and then just like that it was over.

I'll have a lot to think about the next few days and weeks. As I've said before it's a lot to process for someone like me who has studied the scope of American history and taught it for so many years. The whole week has been interesting to say the least. I started this "journey" for several different reasons.

I had a civic duty to perform for the people in my community who elected me to this position.

I was also undertaking an educational endeavor to hopefully show my students a way they could participate and take part in government, and that anyone, even their old social studies teacher, could get to be a delegate. And as a social scientist, there was also the prospect of experiencing the whole thing first hand that had its appeal for sure. To actually see what transpired and how and having a little bit of background knowledge to the process as it was happening was awesome.

There was also a personal element to it as well. Perhaps a selfish one at that. There aren't many opportunities, at least that I've found, to actually be an active participant in history. At least not to be so aware of it, cognizant of it when it is actually taking place. I got my chance to see history happen. Right there, in person. I'm still not sure what that means.

I got to participate in a process that many people still don't fully understand, and I probably have more of an understanding of it than I really wanted.

I know that it was for certain a once in a lifetime experience. I'm almost certain I'll never do it again, and if I do, I doubt it will have the same weight as this go around.

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