Michele Uzendoski is a Columbus resident and an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Denver from the 3rd District. She will be sending periodic dispatches to The Telegram from the convention.
Sunday: Arrived in Denver -- Nebraska Delegation staying at the Embassy Suites Southeast
We were briefed by a staff member of the Nebraska Democratic Party -- then headed off to an all-delegate celebration called “Recognizing Katrina Relief Organizations” at the ColoradoConvention Center.
The celebration was incredible! We feasted on Creole food and were treated to some of the very best in Gospel, Zydeco, and Blues music. The music was provided by actual musicians and performers from New Orleans “ we also were treated to Mardi Gras performers. The highlight for me was being treated to a solo performance by Randy Newman. He sang one of my favorite songs -- “Louisiana”
This celebration was a moving tribute to Katrina relief workers and the spirit of the people of New Orleans. Howard Dean, DNC chairman of the National Democratic Party, spoke at the event as well other politicians and musicians who live in the New Orleans area.
Monday: I met up with a Clinton delegate from Lincoln who has ties in the PlatteCounty area. Her name is Jane Raybould. Her parents are Russ and Anita Raybould “ her mother Anita was Anita Jaworski before her marriage. Jane and I attended the Hispanic Caucus with her husband Jose Herrero and her two adult children, Clara and Gabe. I wanted to attend this event since I’m of Hispanic descent and have been involved in diversity issues.
Howard Dean spoke as well as Senator Ken Salazar and other local Latino/a politicians. The surprise highlight occurred when Hillary Clinton showed up and gave a wonderful speech thanking her Hispanic supporters and also spreading the message for party unity. She emphasized our need to get Barak Obama elected in November.
While we were at the Hispanic Caucus, Jane and I were interviewed by the Rocky Mountain News “ the reporter was curious about how Jane and I were getting along as delegates since she was representing Clinton and I was representing Obama. The reporter also wanted to know what we thought of Hillary’s speech. Jane and I both discussed how the Democratic party would be unified leaving the convention at the end of the week.
I was also treated to watching Jane give an interview to CNN Spain. There are huge numbers of foreign press covering the convention. The CNN also shot footage of Jane, her family and I at the caucus. Jane also got to meet Hillary at the event as well as her husband getting many close-up photographs. The caucus was energized and committed to getting out the vote this November. The fascination and interest in this convention is fascinating to be exposed to.
The convention started at 3 p.m. Monday at the PepsiCenter. As many of you saw on television “ it was a fantastic evening. Ted Kennedy’s appearance was the emotional highlight of the evening -- everyone also loved Michelle Obama’s speech. Those of us who are alternates were seated in the balcony above the Nebraska delegation. We had a great view of the many press boxes and media covering the event. CNN was on the floor so we could easily watch Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper and many other well known strategists and anchors. Jimmy Carter sat with the Georgia delegation for awhile and a few of the Nebraska delegation on the floor got to shake his hand since Georgia was near by.
I met many wonderful and interesting people in the area where I sat and could walk around. Many of them headed non-profit organizations or were press. Myself and another alternate delegate sat next to two women working with the National Catholic Social Justice Lobby. It was a lot of fun.
Got to go! Michelle
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