On the elevator with Caroline
Shhh! Shhh! Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings is admonishing us to silence so that the formal program of speeches can begin in earnest on our first evening together in Denver as a Maryland Delegation.
Over many months as political activists in the Obama campaign, we have grown accustomed to Elijah’s able and inspiring leadership. As a result, the room quickly falls quiet.
With the speeches that ensue at this Sunday evening reception inside our hotel, our week-long work as delegates has finally begun. The room is full of familiar faces from the campaign trail. Our governor, Martin O’Malley, mounts the stage following words of praise from Congressman Cummings for his role in leading our state, and uniting our party. The governor’s words and his obvious enthusiam reinforce the message that Maryland is -- and must be -- united behind Obama.
He reminds us that hard work got us to this point, and will remain key in the days remaining before November 4th. He mentions the importance of winning even more Maryland congressional seats for Democrats, so “President” Obama will have a great Congress.
I swell with pride that we have donated office space to help Frank Kratovil in his quest to win the seat now held by moderate Republican Wayne Gilcrest.
After the first wave of speeches, the reception lapses into a fresh round of private conversations, warm greetings and picture taking.
The room is all abuzz. After a while, we are called back to attention, as various national political leaders have come to visit and are now ready to speak with our group. Steny Hoyer, the House Democratic leader, mounts the podium, greets us, and encourages us.
Former presidential candidate, Sen. John Kerry takes the stage, and from only 20 feet in front of me, shares lessons learned from his unsuccessful bid for president. The essence of his message hits home; victory in 2008, like in 2004 may come down to only a handful of votes in a handful of states …… our work as campaign volunteers to reach every voter is of utmost importance.
Monday morning and there is more excitement in the air. Each breath brings a new experience. My ride on the elevator results in a chance encounter with Caroline Kennedy. A true believer in Camelot, I am thrilled as she graciously shakes my hand as we descend to the lobby.
I learn something quite interesting from a podium speaker!
Did you know that Baltimore hosted the first democratic convention in 1832 and the five subsequent conventions ending in 1852 and then again in 1860, 1972 and 1912?
This morning’s breakfast speaker is former Colorado senator and presidential contender Gary Hart. His comments were riveting! Twenty-five years ago, he had written that “our sons and daughters would die needlessly in a series of desert wars” if we did not bite the bullet and start making inconvenient but necessary decisions on energy and the environment.
I leave the official breakfast meeting “fired up and ready to go.” One small problem, my hotel room was not the size I needed… so its back to the front desk to try to sort out one of life’s little problems.
(Written by Cheryl Miller)
Carmen Amedori, 52, is a resident of Westminster and was a state delegate representing Carroll County from 1998 to 2004, when she was appointed by then-Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. to serve on the Maryland Parole Commission. A native of Baltimore and graduate of Villa Julie College, Amedori worked as a paralegal and journalist while raising two daughters, before entering the world of politics. She was one of the few elected officials in Maryland who supported John McCain when he ran for president in 2000, and was an alternate delegate at that year's convention. Her backing has not wavered, and this year, Amedori is the Western Maryland regional director for McCain. She has also been cleared to be a surrogate — meaning she has the blessing to speak on McCain’s behalf when called upon.
Cheryl Miller, 55, and her husband, Michael, coordinate the Volunteers for Obama office in Anne Arundel County. She is an Annapolis resident and mother of two who runs a home-based event planning business. Despite studying political science at Lycoming College in Pennsylvania, Miller was not particularly involved in politics until this year. She was invited to a fund-raiser last fall, and soon found herself immersed in the Obama campaign, working phone banks and traveling to Ohio and Pennsylvania to door-knock. This will be her first convention.