Asian Dispatchers from the 2008 DNC 08/26/08
August 26, 2008
◊ My First Day at the DNC
◊ The Kennedys, Obama, Robinson, and McCaskill Speak
◊ Hillary Delivers
◊ Overshadowed?
◊ Wrecking Crew
◊ Charles Barkley in the House
AsianWeek has created a group of API delegates and participants that are currently at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado August 25-28. They will be giving us exclusive and timely information about what is going on at the convention as it is happening and as it relates to the Asian Pacific Islander American community.
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AsianWeek at the Democratic National Convention
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My First Day at the DNC
by Debu Majumdar Tue 8/26/2008 11:59 AM
My first day at the convention! Before taking a shuttle bus, I walked up to 16th street - a pedestrian mall - to see what was to be seen. Mostly demonstrations by Right to Life groups, Get It On! (a safe sex promotion group) and about 30 angry women marching for Hillary Clinton. The riot police were out in full force (helmets, horses, everything - but no riot).
Among today’s speeches, two persons got the most attention in the convention hall: Ted Kennedy and Michelle Obama. I am sure you have heard what they said. Kennedy stood out as an elder statesman who said, “no matter what, I shall be there on the Congress floor in January” when Barack will be inaugurated. In spite of his cancer, I believe his spirit raised the spirits of all Democrats everywhere. Michelle’s talked of how she grew up, her family’s values of hard work, and how she met Barak. She also spoke of how, right from the beginning, Barack’s ideals were based on high principles. He wants a life for all Americans that is achievable, not what is merely practical.
In the afternoon I moseyed over to the IALI (Indian American Leadership Initiative) reception where I had been invited but didn’t think I would be able to attend because of schedule conflicts. The IALI meeting was held in the Denver Athletic club - a very fancy place indeed - sort of like the Apple Athletic club at home, but on steroids and champagne. The meeting was interesting because most of the people were the children of immigrants (born here) and I only saw one woman in Indian dress - an older lady in a salwar - and a few men with turbans. They were very business-like and talked about getting people elected in the Midwest and California, etc. There were many Democrats among the Indian people here. I asked some folks about this and they said they were kind of amazed that there were so many democrats, but there were a lot of crossover people (from the Republican Party) in the room too. However, they had a whole book full of prominent Indian Democrats. One of the speakers emphasized that Barak Obama’s story was the Indian American Story - a foreign student father who came here to study, whose son strove to achieve. “We have a lot in common with Barak Obama.” There was food here too - which looked sort of Indian (and they labeled everything with Indian names) but did not taste Indian at all - made by a local caterer but not an Indian caterer - Very clean and wholesome, but boring, food.
The Kennedys, Obama, Robinson, and McCaskill Speak
by Gil Keith-Agaran Tue 8/26/2008 12:32 AM
Ted and Caroline Kennedy, Michelle Obama, Craig Robinson, and Claire McCaskill closed the first night with enough old-time Democratic Party religion and values to leave the faithful with enough fire in the belly to look forward to the next three nights. Caroline introduced a film tribute to her uncle, and then Ted himself gave a speech affirming that a major party platform is needed to create the reality of healthcare as a basic fundamental right - not just a privilege for the chosen few.
Michelle helped end the night with a speech that clearly explained how her life was - an American story full of American values of strong families, hard work, and equal opportunity.
The Hawaii delegation was seated behind many media outlets which led to appearances on evening coverage. People from back home text-messaged delegates when they were shown in the audience as the evening went on.
Most of the Hawaii delegation marched off to the AAPI gala, led by former Governor John Waihee and his wife. When Hawaii Senator Dan Inouye got up to speak the place quieted down. It was almost eerie the kind of respect that the attendees had for one of the pioneers. Mazie Hirono from the second congressional (Big Island, rural Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai and Niihau) also spoke. Hirono has token opposition as she seeks her second term.
Governor Waihee was charming all day as he displayed why people liked him, even if they didn’t like his policies. He was with the Hawaii delegation for most of the day although he chose to spend the convention proceedings with his wife in the section for the Hawaii alternates, special guests and staff.
I got back to the hotel after attending a reception at the “Media Matters Reception” hosted by Kim Devlin who did some campaign-consulting work in Hawaii some elections back. Media Works involves David Brock who recently wrote about the media giving a pass to John McCain, assisting him in getting the GOP nomination.
Hillary Delivers
by Gil Keith-Agaran Tue 8/26/2008 11:28 PM
Hillary ended the evening with a rousing call to electing her former rival Barack Obama. She asked rhetorically whether delegates supported just her or all the crucial issues that she has spent a lifetime advocating. She led the crowd to the inevitable conclusion that four more years with McCain after eight years with W was simply unacceptable for the country. Given her friend and Senate colleague John McCain’s support of Bush’s policies, Hillary pointed out it was fitting they would be together in the Twin Cities next week for the GOP convention. But it was Montana Gov Schweitzer who energized the crowd with a tough but somewhat post-partisan rail against the current administration’s failings.
Overshadowed?
by Gil Keith-Agaran Tue 8/26/2008 8:00 PM
Mark Warner’s keynote on this 88th anniversary of suffrage is a policy wonk’s dream on energy and economic growth. . . But Hillary’s speech to follow and Barack’s keynote four years ago casts a shadow on Warner.
Wrecking Crew
by Gil Keith-Agaran Tue 8/26/2008 7:43 PM
Thomas Frank signed his new book “The Wrecking Crew”. His last one, “What’s the Matter with Kansas” explored how Conservatives successfully got working people to vote against their economic self-interest using what we now call cultural issues- abortion, gay rights, school prayer. He did so by tracing the change of his native Kansas into a staunch red state. While Gov Sebelius got some play as an Obama surrogate and possible finalist for V. P., we don’t expect to win it. Frank’s new book looks at how conservatives have ruled - where outsourcing has resulted in corporate riches while government workers have been demonized. Franks showed up to sign books by mistake on Monday then got hung up on the train. At the Faith Caucus mtg, Sojourner’s Jim Wallis moderated a panel that included a discussion of common ground between pro-life and pro-choice party factions and the new plank in the platform. The notion is to work on reducing the amount of abortions by addressing poverty, education and other issues that may underlie unwanted pregnancies and a woman’s difficult decision to end that pregnancy. The new plank signals a shift. While his father was blocked from addressing a DNC CONVENTION for pro-life views, Pa. Sen. Casey spoke tonight. An active bowling and bar-hopping partner of Barack Obama, Casey noted that John McCain voted 90 percent of the time with George W. Bush and observed, “That’s not a maverick, that’s a sidekick.”
Charles Barkley in the House
by Gil Keith-Agaran Tue 8/26/2008 7:13 PM
Charles Barkley came through the crowd on the floor as I waded my way to the Hawaii delegation. First celebrity i ‘ve seen who wasn’t a politician or talking head.
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