DNC Watch Party, closest thing to being there

Plenty of reasons prevent everyone that wants to go to the Pepsi from actually getting the access. For those among us with the interest and connections but not quite the access or credentials, a watch party at the Wells Fargo Theater in the Colorado Convention Center nearly fulfilled our desire to be close to the making of history. That is, in fact, the feeling in the air among the democrats and supporters teeming throughout Denver this week.

Those attending the watch party support the party and Obama passionately. As we all sat in the expansive theater featuring four screens of the footage and the stadium audio system, these supporters applauded the applause lines of the speeches and reacted to the activities broadcast before them as if they had a seat on the floor with their respective delegations. Several hundred people in attendance made the watch party a valid and emotional experience.

Democrat after progressive democrat spoke in an increasingly aggressive succession of anti-Bush and anti-McCain speeches that defined their enemy and sought to unite the party behind the goal of victory in November. Bill Clinton owned the stage from the moment he strided out to several minutes of incessant applause and waving American flags. Clinton reinforced Hillary's Tuesday night message of party unity in support of Obama. Bill Clinton indicted President Bush on failed policies and reckless leadership contrary to American values.

John Kerry spoke after Clinton last night. His language last night made me picture Kerry carrying a board with a nail sticking out of it that he used to pummel the Republican nominee. Kerry cast McCain as a flip-flopper and criticized his policy.

Joe Biden accepted the vice-presidential nomination as Obama's running mate. His acceptance speech had a different tone than the attack dogs preceeding him. Biden came off as genuine, honest, and qualified for the job. He fit the role Obama needs him to play in the general election. Biden's wife came out at the end to congratulate him, but she brought microphone. Her announcement was that a special guest was there to congratulate him on his speech as well. Seconds later, Barack Obama walked out igniting the audience in the Pepsi center and the Wells Fargo theater equally.

The feeling in the theater was electric at that moment. Cheering and applause exploded and the emotion of the moment. My impression is that this time it's different. I will, for the first time in my life, vote for a candidate instead of voting against one.

EDGE