Convention Day Three Preview

[caption id="attachment_418" align="alignright" width="300" caption="D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty rallies those gathered for the protest at the Denver Mint"][/caption]

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