Sunday at the Democratic National Convention

Last week, Alex Rose asked me if I would “blog” for the DelCo Times from the Democratic National Convention in Denver. I agreed to write a few hundred words each night to try to capture some of the flavor of the DNC, as long as no one criticized my spelling, typing or grammar.

Sunday’s highlight was the official welcoming concert event for delegates and invited guests to celebrate the convention, as well as to raise environmental awareness. “Green Sunday at Red Rocks” featured musical performances and speeches from environmental advocates.

Red Rocks is an incredible natural amphitheatre about 15 miles outside of town. The views are spectacular as you sit amongst an audience of 10,000 persons between two 300 feet tall walls of stone. Behind the stage is a panorama of the Rocky Mountains which transitions to thousands of points of light as night falls on the city of Denver.

The concert featured Sheryl Crow, the country western act Sugarland and Dave Matthews. Although still obviously distressed by last week’s death of his band’s saxophonist LeRoi Moore, Mathews sent a powerful message to the DNC faithful with a cover of Paul Simon's American Tune, a song about change in uncertain time.

The event also featured addresses by Laurie David, the producer of Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth”, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the son of the Senator and an environmental activist. Kennedy’s speech focused both on the environment and broader issues of leadership. Kennedy told a moving story about how as a teenager he accompanied his father on trip to Europe and saw crowds of over 100,000 people turn out to see and be inspired by an American politician. He said it’s time to restore America to that pedestal.

Prior to the concert was a Western Barbeque in the Red Rocks visitors’ center which featured Bison Burgers and Venison Sausage for the Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia delegations. The barbeque also featured political celebrities including Kennedy, Governor Ed Rendell, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, and former Virginia Governor and current Senate Candidate Mark Warner.

Earlier in the day, also waiting with me at the gate for the 10.30 United Airlines flight to Denver on Sunday morning was State Senator Connie Williams, who represents Haverford, Radnor and parts of Montgomery County. Senator Williams shared some stories about her first convention in 1968 (she was a very young girl) where her grandfather was the head of the New Jersey Delegation and she witnessed the violence and turmoil in the streets of Chicago. Several other Philadelphia area delegates were on our flight, as well as delegates from elsewhere making connections. The crowd on the plane was much friendlier than on a typical flight as we sensed a common excitement and purpose.

At the Denver airport waiting for the shuttle to the Pennsylvania Delegation’s hotel, the Marriott Tech Center, was State Representative Daylin Leach who is the Democratic nominee in this year’s 17th State Senate District race seeking to replace the retiring Senator Williams. After checking into the hotel, I traveled with Daylin and his wife Jen to the concert at Red Rocks.

More tomorrow.