Obama Stumps for Maryland Candidates

On Thursday, October 7^th, Organizing for America held a rally for Democratic congressional and state candidates at Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland. Organizing for America, a community organizing project of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and founded by after President Obama’s inauguration, had announced the rally one week prior to the event which hundreds attended. The schedule consisted of speeches by several candidates and an appearance by President Barack Obama.

Obama specifically addressed the needs of college students during his speech. Obama stated he was in favor of a permanent $10,000 college tax credit as well as an increase in student aid. The president left room in his speech to attack Republicans, saying they would give more power to insurance companies, credit card companies, and wall street banks while leaving students in the dust if Republicans took back Congress. Obama characterized the Democrats in Congress as hard-working individuals who dug our economy out of a ditch, while Republicans stood around not wanting to help and instead were “sipping on a slurpee”.

Among the attendees were Governor Martin O’Malley, Senator Barbara Mikulski, Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Congresswoman Donna Edwards, and Congressman Chris Van Hollen. Mixing hot weather and a standing-only audience led three dozen individuals to faint during the duration of the event, with several being transported to local hospitals.

Snapshots from the DNC

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The Importance of the Youth Vote

In addition to bolstering party support, the convention season allowed the nation to consider important issues.  From the historic acceptance speech of the nation’s first African American on a major party ticket, to the acceptance of the Republican’s first female vice presidential candidate, both conventions were full of historical moments.  Another issue to make this political season one to remember is the importance of the youth vote.  While Barack Obama seems to draw in huge numbers of young voters, McCain’s camp realizes their importance too. 

 

While in Denver, we asked Alicia Froio, chair of the Young Democrats of America High School Caucus, about the youth vote.  She told us that she believed this election was our time in history.

 

For audio, click here:  Alicia on Youth Vote

 

Also in Denver, Cory Struble, the president of College Dems at GW, said that the youth demographic will be powerful in this election and we will make a difference.

 

For audio, click here:  Cory on the Youth Vote 

 

While he was in St. Paul, we spoke to president of the College Republicans, Brand Kroeger.  He agreed that the youth vote was enormously important, saying, “we’re making our presence known, even if we have a smaller number than the Obama camp.”

 

For audio, click here:  Brand on the Youth Vote

 

- Mallory Thompson

Students at the DNC

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While in Denver, we were able to meet up with several GW students.  We had students participating in a wide spectrum of roles - from passing out press credentials or interning for the DNC to volunteering as staff or being a delegate. 

However, a lot of GW students weren't just in town for the Democratic Convention.  The College Democrats and Young Democrats were holding their annual conferences in Denver too.  To get their take on the convention, we caught up with Alicia Froio, the chair of the Young Democrats of America's High School Caucus and an incoming GW freshman, and Cory Struble, the president of the GW College Democrats.

Click here for audio:  College Dems at the DNC

- Mallory Thompson

Interview at Invesco: Michael Ray Huerta

On night four of the Democratic National Convention, WRGW was able to gain access to the floor of Invesco Field.  Right after New Mexico's Governor Bill Richardson spoke, we bumped into New Mexico delegate and GW student Michael Ray Huerta.  We spoke with him about the convention events and what the delegate experience has meant to him.  Click below for the audio.

Huerta at Invesco

- Mallory Thompson

Day 3 Recap - DNC

Another great day at the DNC. This recap features among others, Political Consultant Terry Mcauliffe, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Keynote Speaker and Former Virginia Governor Mark Warner.

Also watch as Barack Obama is made the official nominee of the Democratic Party during the roll call vote by D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. WRGW was on the floor of the Pepsi Center to bring you the coverage.

Student Soundoff

A number of GW students were in Denver during the DNC. WRGW caught up with Alicia Froio, an incoming Freshman in the Elliot School. Watch the interview below

- Jesse Regis

Roll Call Audio

Wednesday's roll call vote was one for the history books.  Below is an audio piece that takes you to the Convention floor during the voting.  This is when Barack Obama was officially named as the Democratic Presidential nominee.  Click below for the story.

Roll Call Piece

- Mallory Thompson

Change is in the Air

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Tonight is Barack Obama night here in Denver and we just arrived at Invesco Field.  The lines of people are streched all around the stadium, but luckily our press passes allowed us to zip right by.  We're seated in section 133, about 100 yards from the podium.  Because the Broncos colors are red and blue, the stadium looks very natural for a huge political rally.  The stage is surrounded by columns and blue draping.  While events don't start until 3pm Moutain time, people are beginning to pour into the stadium. 

Tonight, we'll see (in order of apperance) Olympian Shawn Johnson, actress and singer Jennifer Hudson, Howard Dean, Gov. Bill Richardson, Sherryl Crowe, will.i.am, Gov. Tim Kaine, Stevie Wonder, former Vice President Al Core, Micheal McDonald, Susan Eisenhower, Sen. Dick Durbin and of course, Barack Obama.

Today is the 45th anniversary of the March on Washington, when Martin Luther King Jr. made his famour"I Have A Dream" speech.  There will be a tribute tonight, with his son, Martin Luther King III, daughter Rev. Bernice King and Rep. John Lewis of Georgia.

One question remains....is Bruce Springsteen coming?  He's a favorite of Barack Obama's and Springsteen's "The Rising" is played constantly on the campaign trail.  The Rocky Mountain News said they have confirmation that he will perform an acoustic set, however, Springsteen's publicist says the rumours are false.  We'll just have to wait and see. 

Obama's speech is tentatively scheduled for 8pm, Mountain time.  Although we have limited Internet access, we'll do our best to bring updates.

- Mallory Thompson

Where was Fenty?

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When the District of Columbia cast their vote last night, Mayor Fenty was nowhere to be found.  As head of the D.C. Delegation, he had the role of announcing the vote total to the entire convention.  According to the DCist, the mayor showed up ten minutes after D.C.'s roll call. 

Instead of Fenty, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton made the improptu speech - calling on conventioners to support the D.C. voting rights effort and announcing 33 votes for Barack Obama and 6 votes for Hillary Clinton.  The mayor has been absent for much of the convention, leaving to open schools in the District earlier this week. He is also staying in a separate hotel from his delegation.

To hear full audio from D.C.'s roll call, click below.

D.C.'s Roll Call

- Mallory Thompson

Convention Day Three Preview

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Jesse and I have just arrived at the Pepsi Center and are getting settled into our press filing center for tonight's proceedings.  Today brings one of the most important parts of the convention - roll call.  In just a few hours, the question of party unity will be pushed to the forefront.  Will Hillary supporters actually support Barack Obama?  Hillary told conventioners last night, "No way.  No how.  No McCain."   Most Hillary delegates we have spoken withthis week believe that for the sake of the party, Obama is the only choice.  But, it will be clear when Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi calls for the vote - around 4pm Mountain time.

Later in the evening, we'll hear from Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Harry Reid, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Senator Evan Bayh, Senator Jack Reed, the Honorable Tom Daschle, former President Bill Clinton, Senator John Kerry, Governor Bill Richardson, and Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden.  Tonight's performance is by Melissa Etheridge. 

This morning was jam packed with events.  We attended the Virginia delegation breakfast where we heard speeches by Virgina Governor Tim Kaine and former DNC Chairman and Chair of the Hillary for President committee Terry McAuliffe.  Mark Warner, the former Virgina Governor and keynote speaker from last night, also dropped in to say hello to delegates.  Warner is actually a GW alumni.  He graduated from GW in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science (and a 4.0 GPA!)

Then, we headed to the D.C. Delegation's rally at the Denver Mint.  The idea for a rally at the mint stems from a decision earlier in the year where the mint rejected D.C.'s plans for a quarter when they included the phrase, "Taxation Without Representation."  

Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton was joined by Mayor Adrian Fenty, members of the D.C. Council and vote supporters from the District and across the country.  Short speeches were made over a megaphone.  The excitement ran high as cars honked their horns in support and cries of "No Taxation, Without Representation" rang out.  The crowd, including delegates, DC Vote supporters and even a Lincoln look-a-like, marched back to their hotel, stopping traffic and garnering a lot of attention. 

- Mallory Thompson

Day 2 - DNC Video Recap

Among the most anticipated events of the election season occurred last night when Senator Hillary Clinton took the stage. The one-time White House hopeful was given the task of uniting the party after a primary that tested the endurance, and tolerance of the American electorate. Within the first few minutes of her speech she declared her unconditional support for Senator Obama, putting some rumors to rest that she was still harboring resentment towards the junior Senator from Illinois. At the same time she thanked the 18 million people who cast their ballot for her, implying that it moved America one step closer towards gender equality.

Former Virginia Governor, presidential candidate, senatorial hopeful, and GW alum Mark Warner took the stage last night for the keynote address, the same slot that thrust Senator Barack Obama into the national spotlight when he gave it at the 2004 convention. He spoke of his roots in business and on the economic conditions of the country. Tying John McCain to George W. Bush, he declared that America cannot move forward with leadership that is "stuck in the past."

While Warner has held political office before he is perceived as the future of the Democratic Party. The fact that he is from Virginia, where Democrats hope to win in November, may have played into the decision to give Warner the keynote spot. He is also considered a contender for the 2012 Presidential race.

- Jesse Regis

Interview on the Floor: Michael Ray Huerta

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While we were wandering the floor last night, right before keynote former Virgina Governor Mark Warner gave his keynote speech, we bumped into New Mexico Delegate and GW student Michael Ray Huerta.  A former  College Republican, turned Hillary supporter, Michael was hoping Hilliary's speech last night would begin the closure process.  We'll be catching up with him later in the week for an in-depth look at what it means to be a delegate at the convention.  Check out last night's interview below.

Floor Interview with Michael Ray Huerta

- Mallory Thompson

Demanding the Vote

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Washington D.C.'s delegation brought their biggest issue at home to the floor of the DNC today.  Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton spoke this afternoon about the District's lack of a vote in Congress.  Tomorrow, they've planned a protest, in conjunction with D.C. Vote, at the Denver Mint.  The protest is in response to the mint rejecting the proposed flip side of the D.C. quarter, which included the slogan, "Taxation Without Representation."  D.C.'s quarter will now feature city planner Benjamen Banneker.  We'll bring you protest coverage tomorrow.

Below is an excerpt from Del. Norton's address to the delegates. 

Delegate Norton addresses the DNC

While on stage, Del. Norton shared with her colleagues a video produced by D.C. Vote. 

- Mallory Thompson

Day One at the DNC: Audio Version

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The first day of the Democratic Convention gave all those gathered in Denver a little taste of what the week has in store.  From a surprise speech by Senator Ted Kennedy to a short video chat with future nominee Barack Obama, Monday night's events kept the delegates on the edge of their seats.  Check out some of the highlights below!

DNC Night One 

- Mallory Thompson

Morning Update

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First of all, thanks to all of you who are following our coverage while we're out here in Denver! 

Right now, Jesse and I are sitting in the Convention Center in downtown Denver.  We're interviewing some GW students this morning before heading to the Pepsi Center a little early.  Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton speaks this afternoon, so we didn't want to miss it.  While we're there, we'll be uploading lots of coverage from last night.

Check back soon!

- Mallory Thompson

Ted Kennedy is IN the Building!

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Jesse and I are at the Pepsi Center for the first night of the DNC.  Right now a video tribute to Senator Ted Kennedy is playing.  We were lucky to grab a couple of rotating floor passes right when we got to the media filing center.  As we were walking past an entrance, they tightened security.  A motercade was there, and who steps out?  Senator Ted Kennedy.  Whether or not he'll speak is still unknown, but he's definitely here!

UPDATE:  Senator Kennedy is speaking now.  He says, "I promise you that next January I will be there."

UPDATE 2:  Sen. Kennedy exits the DNC stage to a recording of "Still the One" by Orleans.

- Mallory Thompson

A quick update...

While Jesse is in the Apple Store getting his computer fixed, I thought I'd give you a bit of background information on the convention and tonight's speakers.

After getting credentials this morning, Jesse and I did a little bit of sightseeing and familiarizing ourselves with downtown Denver.  First we headed to Denver's state capitol, which looks a little bit like DC's dome.  From the step that say "one mile above sea level," you can look out to a park area that is somewhat reminiscent of our national mall. 

As we were leaving the downtown area, protesters were beginning to pour into the designated protest areas.  Yesterday, the reports were for massive protests - with tens of thousands of people - but estimates of turnout were closer to tens of hundreds.  Police are definitely evident all over the downtown area, whether dressed in full riot gear or helping give directions to lost visitors. 

Tonight's event at the Pepsi Center will serve as an opening to the convention week.  The theme, One Nation, will focus on Obama’s life story and his commitment to change.   John Legend will be performing between the convention proceedings and the main speakers.  Tonight's speakers include:  The Honorable Jesse Jackson, Jr., Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, The Honorable Claire McCaskill, Craig Robinson (the older brother of Michelle Obama), Michelle Obama, Kansas Governor and Vice Presidential hopeful Kathleen Sebelius and a benediction by Don Miller (the author of Christian bestseller, Blue Like Jazz).

- Mallory Thompson

Monday, Monday so good to me.....

Monday Monday, it was all I hoped it would be
Oh Monday morning, Monday morning couldn't guarantee
That Monday evening you would still be here with me.

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90 degrees with sunny skies in Downtown Denver. We rose today with the sun, having tossed and turned all night in anticipation of Day 1of the DNC. The mornings are an ideal time to meet up with the newsmakers out here as they are open to the press. This morning, a brief stop to the D.C. delegation breakfast led us to an interview with D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, the would-be congresswoman from the District should it have the right to vote in congress. She spoke to WRGW about the importance of the youth vote, and also briefed us about demonstrations later this week to protest D.C.'s "Taxation Without Representation." We'll have the interview available later in the day.

Currently your fearless reporters are in the Hampton Inn in Downtown sipping coffee along side national

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reporters, having just picked up our credentials, which makes us officially a part of the festivities out here. It was also a major ego boost. Later on today we hope to have a meeting with members of the GW College Democrats, but not before a quick trip to the Apple store downtown. So from me a quick shout out to everyone who says that Apple computers don't crash is in order.

By this afternoon we'll be gamboling through the halls of the Pepsi Center in anticipation of Michelle Obama's address to the nation. Stay tuned.

- Jesse Regis

Denver or BUST!

Jesse and I left DC this morning headed to Denver, probably along with every politically minded and media type in the District.  After a short stop in Houston at George Bush International Airport (which brought loads of comments from the Democratic delegates on our flight), we made it to the Mile High City.  We're staying a little outside of Denver since every hotel in the city was booked long before we even knew WRGW had been credentialed...Although we did get free delicious cookies!  Our shuttle driver recommended we eat dinner at Joe's Crab Shack, visit unsinkable Molly Brown's haunted house, and used phrases like "cotton-pickin'."  Not quite what we were looking for, but entertaining nevertheless. 

Tomorrow we'll have lots of real news for all of you.  A preview for the week...we'll be covering the DC delegation while they protest not having a vote and hopefully track down Mayor Fenty.  We'll be meeting up with lots of GW's College Dems who are in Denver for their annual conference.  We're going to spend some time with a GW student who is a delegate for New Mexico.  And of course, we'll have all the action from the Pepsi Center and at Invesco Field when Barack Obama accepts the party's nomination. 

 Stay tuned for updates!

  - Mallory Thompson