Convention Chronicle

McCain's speech: Passion from The Maverick

2008-09-05T17:24:29Z

Convention Day 4 – I made my way from our delegation section to where the press was standing. There I had a straight view of Sen. McCain as he spoke of the love for his country and how as President he will reform Washington, noting: “I don’t work for special interest. I don’t work for myself. I work for you.”

My eyes welled with pride as he spoke of his service to this county and his time as a POW. His speech touched just about every aspect of the platform that I participated in creating 10 days ago, everything from vetoes of big spending projects, to keeping taxes low, to school choice. His speech delivery was passionate, something you don’t often see from The Maverick. At-large alternate from Calvert County, Kevin Igoe, notes that he did a great job in taking on his own party and notes that he wants to bring change to the Washington crowd. Of his running mate, the senator stated: “I was proud to introduce her to America. But I can’t wait to introduce her to Washington.”

My dad, 84, was a Baltimore City Democrat most of his life. He switched to Republican as I got more involved with politics. Yet, he wanted to vote for a woman as president in his lifetime. He couldn’t understand why the women of this country were not rallying around the New York senator in her bid for president. “Because, Dad,” I told him, “it has to be the right woman. We won't vote for just any woman. It has to be someone we feel comfortable with and be proud of.” Sarah Palin is that woman. This morning, as I repacked my suitcases so I could concentrate on the fun of the evening, I recalled that back in May, Don Murphy mentioned Gov. Palin to me as a person whom he thought would be a great VP. “She’s pro-life, a lifetime NRA member, mother of five children and she fought the big oil companies,” he said. After some Internet research, when folks would ask who I thought should be the VP, I would say Sarah Palin. I hope the folks out in Western Maryland, where I am the McCain regional director, are feeling their needs are being met on the issue of the Second Amendment with McCain’s selection. A good turnout in that region, with high percentage vote for McCain, is imperative. My friends in Western Maryland: Don’t sit this one out. There is too much in the balance.

The evening, of course, ended with the falling of 3,000 balloons and 300 pounds of confetti – some of which were circular imprinted with the faces of John and Cindy McCain.

Oh, yeah. The red phone attached to the chair in front of me did blink: Wednesday night, just before the roll call. The voice on the other end wanted to know the name of the person who would be presenting the vote.

Action on the floor, and Palin's speech

2008-09-04T19:37:24Z

Convention Day 3 – There was so much action on the convention floor this evening. Upon arrival, I switched credentials with my alternate, Kelly Schultz from Frederick. I wanted to make sure that I was back in my seat for the speech by Michael Steele. That didn’t happen. While in the alternate section, the McCain floor leader began handing us large handmade political signs and stated there were a few Presidential candidate Ron Paul people in the area who they suspected were going to try to disrupt some of the speeches. That didn’t happen. Still, we were instructed by the young man in the yellow baseball cap to raise the signs to block any attempt made to show signs for Ron Paul. We did an awesome job. Rockin’ and rollin’ as the music blared and waving signs for nearly an hour before the protester revealed herself as she raised the unorthodox sign toward the TV camera. The sign was then confiscated – just as Steele was taking the stage.

In Steele-like tradition, he brought the crowd to their feet. Maryland draped the state flag over the railing. The delegates from the floor began a “call and response” chant with “Michael” as the alternates overhead responded with “Steele.” We were all so proud to have our former lieutenant governor light up the opposition as he addressed such issues as energy and drilling, to which the chant “drill, baby, drill” began.

Back at my seat with the delegates, I again get a handshake with Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch – at age 74, the man looks fabulous. Joe Scarborough from Fox News came by and had a seat with the Maryland delegation – he seemed to just want to have a friendly chat. Or maybe he was trying to get to one of the Kansas delegates just in front of us. At any rate, I talked to him, shook his hand and got a picture. Which reminds me – before getting to the convention floor, I had an opportunity to meet with Jon Voight and also get a photo.

Anticipation was so high it reached the thousands of balloons wrapped tightly in the ceiling of the Xcel Center while waiting for Sarah Palin to address the convention. Jim Pelura, chair of the Maryland GOP, and Larry Helminiak discussed if she would meet the prime time deadline. Of course, the governor of Alaska hit the homerun as she attacked the opposition by contrasting her experience: “A small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities.” Her speech showed that this hockey mom has a command of the issues and can be a governing partner to Sen. McCain. She resonated with mainstream America who value sense of community, faith and freedoms. Showing she is not afraid of challenging the status quo, she came across as a no-nonsense, formidable candidate for vice president of the free world. At the end of her speech, Helminiak turned to me and stated, “I’m glad I’m not a moose.”

--Carmen Amedori

Oops: This blog post earlier gave the wrong age for Orrin Hatch. Sorry!

Anyone who is anyone

2008-09-03T16:41:22Z

Convention Day 2 – I ride the elevator from the 5th floor to breakfast, and everyone who gets on has a smile. The conversations are about what time to get to the floor of the convention. Some will walk over early and try to catch some of the constant news coverage offered by the cable networks, and perhaps be seen in the background by friends and neighbors. Others will be going on the Minnesota Zephyr, a train ride and luncheon through Stillwater. At 7:45 a.m., Secret Service linger in the lobby and the front of our hotel as we await the arrival of the all-star line up of breakfast speakers. The guests are former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson; our nominee’s oldest son, Doug McCain; helicopter pilot and Baghdad POW Ron Young; Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl; and Maryland’s own Everett Alvarez – the longest serving Vietnam POW and great friend of John McCain. This is the most crowded our breakfast meetings have been. It seems like every delegate and alternate has arrived on time. The ride on the Zephyr was very nice. There are six miles of track and we traveled at about 6 m.p.h., while being served an elegant luncheon. I had the walleye, a fish native to Canada and the lakes of Minnesota. It was the sweetest fish I ever tasted. I was seated in the “globe” of the train, which gives a three-dimensional view of the picturesque countryside of Minnesota’s first town. This is one of the many side events our delegation chairman, Don Murphy, and Maryland McCain chairman Chris Cavey arranged for us. A nice relaxing afternoon, yet I am antsy. I want to get to the Xcel Center and get this party started. Once on the floor, Adrienne King, a delegate from Hawaii who served with me on the Platform Committee, adorned me with a fresh lei. Anne Stephenson, president of the Tucson Republican Women tells me that since the choosing of Sarah Palin for vice president, Democrats are banging down the door to get signs and other political materials in the most liberal area of McCain’s home state. Arizona is going strong, she says proudly as she slipped the state’s pin into my hand. It is again an all-star lineup as many of the top Republican politicians parade pass Maryland. First is our former lieutenant governor, Michael Steele. He is mobbed by delegates from other states seeking pictures and autographs. Michael is well-known and obviously well-loved. He takes a break from his fans and sits with us, hanging and chatting with Marylanders. Just as suddenly as Orrin Hatch disappeared yesterday, he appears today – and right next to me. I couldn’t believe it ,since I just missed him the day before. I got my picture with the very distinguished gentleman from Utah. Later appeared Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the House, followed by Karl Rove and Janet Huckabee, wife of Mike Huckabee. Everyone knows that anyone who is anyone – or has political aspirations - comes to the national convention. Obviously that is why former Pittsburgh Steeler Lynn Swann who has recently declared his Republican run for a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania, arrived. I got my picture with him, too. -- Carmen Amedori

If the light blinks...

2008-09-02T16:43:35Z

Convention Day 1 - I woke up eager to get to the Xcel Center. But first we attended a luncheon with Pennsylvania, Virginia and Ohio delegations at the Circus Juventas circus school, for a wonderful performance by youngsters in a trapeze ballet. The event was scaled back, we were told, out of respect for the residents of the southern part of the country who were being ravaged by Hurricane Gustav. The sponsor of the luncheon, Dominion Power, said they contributed $25,000 to the Red Cross and would send more if necessary. Mark Supple, an alternate delegate, tells me he was a juggler in the Florida State University circus with the founder and owner of this very unique center. Supple's is a special agent doing criminal investigations with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He has never really been involved in politics and is thoroughly enjoying this gig. Like all of us, he can’t wait to get to the convention. On the bus, Phil Baker-Shenk came up with the song title “Sarah-a-bration Times”. Now we are trying to come up with lyrics to the tune “Celebrate” by Kool and The Gang. Suggestions can be posted on this blog. Inside Xcel, the security is tight. It’s wall-to-wall politicians and observers. From a distance, I spy Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah across the room, but am unable to catch up before he disappears through another set of doors. My disappointment is short-lived as I am down on the floor of the convention and meet Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt. He asks about Governor Bob Ehrlich and his attendance. I state he is not expected , as he is very busy with work and family. I am floor leader, so I have an assigned seat on the end of the row with a telephone attached to the seat in front of me. If the light blinks. it is my responsibility to answer it and forward onto the delegation any instructions that are relayed. I have no idea where the phone is connected or who will call or why. But I periodically look to see if there is blinking going on. The seats are tight with not much leg room, but we have a pretty decent location about 150 rows back from the stage, very close to the CNN, Fox and NBC television news sets. As matter of fact, CNN announcer Wolf Blitzer could be heard commenting while we bowed our heads in opening prayer. Alternate delegate Gloria Murphy reports from her section that she saw Mary Matalin, GOP political pundit. “She is more appealing in person than on TV,” Gloria said. I did manage to get the autograph of newscaster Tom Brokaw on my version of “The Rules of the Republican Party.” There were appearances by First Lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain, at which making a plea for relief to assist the hurricane victims. Gulf Coast governors made remarks via satellite, sending best wishes and demonstrating the perseverance of the American spirit. By the way, today is my baby daughter's birthday – she is 26. Happy birthday, Kara Maria. I love you. -- Carmen Amedori

A Message for Hollywood

2008-09-01T16:22:04Z

Dateline: Sunday in the lobby of the Embassy Suites St. Paul. Delegates and the media are shuffling in. Many are returning from a Catholic Mass at the St. Paul Cathedral, where they prayed for those in the South who need to flee their homes ahead of Hurricane Gustav. My roommate, Anne McCarthy, a former candidate for Maryland Comptroller, says she prayed really hard for the storm to take a different course, leaving Gulf Coast residents unharmed. Many of the top-name speakers have cancelled their appearances at the convention due to the storm. President George W. Bush, who was supposed to speak Monday, will not be in attendance. We are told that the business of the day will be conducted on Monday, but we will be out of the Xcel Center by 5 p.m. Chris Cavey, the Maryland chairman of the McCain campaign, is getting credentials available for distribution. He is thinking of removing one of the many Maryland flags from the hotel lobby and hanging it in his room. Del. Tony O’Donnell and I head back to Minneapolis for a premier of the movie “An American Carol,” a satire on certain ultra-liberal documentary films. The main character was a filmmaker named Michael Malone, who was associated with the liberal advocacy group “Mooveahead.org” It starred Jon Voight, Kelsey Grammer and many other high-profile conservative actors, with a guest appearance by Bill O’Reilly. The release date is Oct. 3, and I urge all to make it a blockbuster sending the Hollywood elite a strong message on the possible unintended damage that can be inflicted by making films that strike to the heart of our servicemen and -women while at war. The full delegation arrived at the Minneapolis Convention Center and toured Civicfest, where there was plenty of political memorabilia. Larry Helminiak, a former Mitt Romney supporter from Carroll County, proudly displayed his newly purchased McCain/Palin lapel pin. There was never a doubt in my mind that Republicans would mesh with unwavering commitment and support for our candidate. -- Carmen Amedori

Breakfast with Karl Rove

2008-08-31T04:12:08Z

My phone rang at 7:15 a.m. Saturday – it was Tony O’Donnell asking if I was going to the South Carolina breakfast. Ugh, was my initial thought, as it was so early. Then he told me Karl Rove would be there – ugh, again, as I am not a fan of the man who nearly took the skin off of my candidate eight years ago. Still, I got myself ready and headed to the breakfast. Rove arrived and a line formed for those seeking pictures with “the architect.” He told stories of how he first entered politics and traveled to South Carolina to meet up with the then unknown Lee Atwater, whom some describe as a near-brilliant political operative. Atwater, who died in 1991, was a GOP consultant and trusted adviser to President Ronald Reagan, was RNC chairman. Rove described how they moved through South Carolina doing door-knocking and literature drops – the real grunt, core work of any campaign. I reminisce about my good friend from Texas, Koreen Hughes, and the fun we had as she taught me how to work like that during my first run for the Maryland General Assembly. Rove also told the story of Bud Day. Day was a POW with Senator McCain who escaped the prison compound. The North Vietnamese were so embarrassed that Day broke free that when they recaptured him his punishment was to be tortured by breaking his arm so severely that his wrist bone was popped out at the elbow. They then yanked it back and positioned it so it would never heal correctly, putting Day in constant pain. It was Senator McCain who gathered bamboo to make a splint. But first he had to break Bud Day’s arm again. Yikes. And he did. He broke his comrade’s arm and then placed the bamboo splints so that Day was no longer in that excruciating pain. McCain, of course, spent 2 years in solitary confinement for that compassionate, courageous act. Okay. So maybe it wasn’t all bad to get up early for Karl Rove. But here’s the best part - Fred Davis, the creative mind behind McCain’s TV ads was there. He was the inspiration of the morning. He entertained us with clips from ads past and those upcoming. I would have been disappointed had I decided to blow off the breakfast, slept in and then learned Mr. Davis was also a speaker. After getting settled in at our new hotel in St. Paul, chatting with staff from the Maryland State Party - April Rose and Justin Ready - Don Murphy, O’Donnell and I headed to the Padelford Landing for an old-fashioned ride down the mighty Mississippi. It was an enjoyable afternoon. The weather is near perfect. Low humidity and hot sun. The ride down the Mississippi was very relaxing. Thursday, the entire delegation will take the ride and be treated to a luncheon. -- Carmen Amedori

Ready to rock

2008-08-30T17:36:56Z

It’s Friday, and Delegates from across the country are arriving in Minneapolis for the festivities that will begin Sept. 1 in St. Paul. They are greeted by the news that Sen. McCain has chosen a conservative woman as his running mate. Gov. Sarah Palin has energized this campaign. I have a smile on my face that just cannot be erased. As the working mother of two daughters, I can relate to what it is to multi-task, balancing children, family, career and commitment to all. I am impressed with the VP pick for her personal and political accomplishments. I think she must be able to use both hands, perhaps simultaneously, and have eyes in the back of her head, like me, my mom, my grand mom and most of the moms I know who are working hard to make ends meet while raising a family. As we walk to the Conservative Leadership luncheon, delegation Chair Don Murphy and I are recognized by campaigners and political operatives from across the country. It is a nice feeling to know folks we worked with during the primaries remember us. Once there, the chatter is about Palin’s background as a hockey player, a broadcast journalist and her high school nickname of Sarah Barracuda. The consensus is Gov. Palin is a strong contender. She has 13 years of government experience under her belt. Sara Palin has taken on the government. She has reformed Alaska in many ways, including being fiscally responsible by lowering taxes and going after the big oil companies. Her tenacity has served Alaska constituents well, and, as Gov. Palin has said, she will do no less for the citizens of the United States. This week has been so filled with the committee work that I hadn’t even noticed the cute emblems in the hotel lobbies which illuminate the RNC seal lighting the way. So now it is off to St. Paul where the party begins. It is time to repack my suitcase and shuttle to the new hotel. Some state delegations are staying in Minneapolis. While I dread the repacking, it comes with the solace that the new hotel is only 5 blocks from the Xcel Energy Center. Come Monday, all the members of Maryland’s Delegation will be there. It seems fitting that our convention will be in the Energy Center – we are so ready to rock. -- Carmen Amedori

Pounding out a platform

2008-08-30T17:03:41Z

I came to Minneapolis a week before the GOP Convention in St. Paul to assist in forming the Republican platform. It is very quiet on the south side of Minnesota’s largest city with 369,000 residents. The scenery is like downtown Baltimore, with tall, large office buildings. Yet it is very quaint. Homey almost. Kinda like Carroll County in the years of old. Not many cars on the road, very few people are walking around on this sunny afternoon. Almost total silence, as I sit outside the hotel and enjoy a little bite to eat before the first gathering of the Resolutions Committee. Breaking the quiet after almost two and a half hours into my arrival there is a squealing – a siren in the distance. An ambulance rushes by. As I enter the revolving door of the hotel, there is a sign “No Guns are Permitted on the Premises.” Revelation: Minnesota is a right-to-carry state. The only policemen I see are in the Minneapolis Convention Center. I am told there are about 50 murders a year in this city of peacefulness; so unlike Baltimore. I wonder: Does the right to carry a concealed firearm have anything to do with the low crime rate ? By the third day, everything is on schedule; we worked Monday through Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., crafting the platform which articulates the philosophies and positions of the Party of Lincoln. It was rewritten from top to bottom, going from 40,000 words to about half the size, with the hope that being so concise would convey a clearer understanding of what being a Republican means, and would encourage folks to register and vote Republican. Our co-chairs, Congressman Kevin McCarthy, (R-CA) and Sen. Richard Burr (R-SC) were very patient in allowing each of the 106 members to debate and amend the document that will be the basis for Senator John S. McCain to accept his nomination as the next president of the United States. Maryland House Republican Leader Tony O’Donnell and I had front row assignments in the full committee, which was televised live by C-SPAN. It was truly an honor to be a part of this historic process. It is a document that should be read by anyone who is interested in the governing principals of the GOP. I am proud to be a Republican, and an American, where I know I am free to have a voice in the process. -- Carmen Amedori

'I saw a lot of me in him'

2008-08-30T16:03:02Z

Carmen Amedori, 52, was born in the Govans neighborhood of Baltimore, and her family later moved to Reisterstown, where she spent her teen years. Her political interest was sparked as a young woman. She recalls an episode in a classroom at Villa Julie college, where a professor recognized the name of one of the students: it was Jamie McGuirk, daughter of state Sen. Harry J. McGuirk. A student leaned over to Amedori, and whispered: “I wish my dad was a senator.” “Too late for that. I’ll have to be a senator,” Amedori responded. She has been a Republican since the 1970s, a time when the party’s prospects were flagging due to Watergate and Nixon. She joined the party, she said, because it seemed like the underdog. Amedori spent years as a paralegal, doing title abstracts and raising two girls with her first husband. But she had other interests: one day, driving past the Baltimore Sun, she said “I’m going to work there.” Within weeks, she had entered the world of journalism, at the Sun in Carroll County. She stayed in the profession for about three years. Amedori’s political connections in Carroll County strengthened after her second marriage to Jerry Barnes, who would become the Carroll state’s attorney. She ran his campaign, and when he was elected in 1994, her involvement accelerated. She got involved with local Republican groups, and was asked to serve on a panel that was reviewing the county charter in 1997. Unhappy with what the board produced, she resigned as chairman two weeks before the vote and campaigned against the changes. The charter amendments were defeated. A year later, she was elected to the House of Delegates. After Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. was elected in 2002, he put Amedori on the state parole commission, where she still serves. Amedori supported McCain during the 2000 campaign, a decision that smacked of rebellion. Ellen R. Sauerbrey, the former gubernatorial candidate, was head of the George W. Bush campaign in Maryland, but had not tapped any residents of Republican stronghold Carroll County to run as convention delegates. “She slighted Carroll County, and I was very upset,” Amedori said. Legislative colleague Don Murphy of Catonsville was touting McCain, so Amedori took a look, and decided to back the Arizona senator. “I wasn’t doing it totally to rock the boat,” she said. “The more I learned about him, the more I saw a lot of me in him.” She attended the 2000 convention as an alternate delegate, and has supported McCain ever since. This year, she volunteered with the campaign, doing advance work for town hall meetings in Florida, and getting to meet the candidate and his family. Throughout the primaries, “the more his numbers went up, the more excited I got,” she said. -- written by David Nitkin

Grand Finale: "No Second Chances"

2008-08-30T15:35:15Z

This week has gone by in a whirlwind. There have been breakfast meetings, luncheons, caucus meetings, receptions, parties and speaker forums sponsored by many different groups as well as individual politicians. It has been a blast! The Democratic National Convention has been an overwhelming success. We are once again united as one to serve the interest of many. Our leaders have shown themselves to be some of the most articulate, hardworking, well-organized and dedicated people in the world. I’m growing confident that in a few short months, I will once again be able to trust my government to fight for me. I say once again because “they” have dropped the ball. They let services for our children and elderly be taken away. They let the safety and quality of our food be compromised. They let the price of gasoline escalate and threaten our economic security. They let the quality of our schools plummet and the cost of higher education soar out of reach for the average American. Wait a minute. There is no “they.” Only me and we! No one should know that better. I am one of the 100 delegates who represented you, progressive Marylanders, this past week. I got to sit in a world-class stadium with 80,000 other Americans and listen to the next president of the United States tell us to take back our country! I experienced first-hand that golden moment in the afterglow of Barack’s acceptance speech when the air was fresh, the sky above us clear, confetti poured down, and spirits soared. It was as if we were all in a snow globe! I now feel in my heart what I’ve always known in my head; America is our treasure! She embodies the hopes and dreams not only of us but of the entire world! We have only 65 days to ensure that we get her back! It becomes clearer and clearer every day that Barack Obama is the leader to get us where we need to go. Marylanders, we have worked very hard to support our candidate. We now must work even harder. Mike and I have left Denver. We arrive in St. Louis to visit our daughter at college before returning to Maryland, and the campaign trail. As our shuttle-bus driver takes us to our rental car, he summarizes it all. Reacting to the personalized “Obama ‘08” button I am wearing he volunteers: “We’ve got to bring out every single voter to win in November. There are no second chances here!” -- Cheryl Miller

Decision Day

2008-08-28T22:37:44Z

On Monday and Tuesday evening at the Pepsi Center, the seating section for the Maryland Delegation had been a beehive of activity, with visiting family members, Obama volunteers, current and former elected officials, and friends of all-of-the-above sprinkled in liberally with those of us who are actually voting delegates. Not so today, Wednesday August 27th, the day on which we delegates actually “earn our pay”. Today we choose a nominee. Today each individual delegate must vote, with the results to be reported in a state-by-state roll call. At breakfast, all of this has been to explained to us by our Maryland Democratic Party leaders. There will be no visitors seated amongst us as the official business of nominating Barack Obama unfolds on national TV. There are too many things to do. Weeks ago, I had signed up for “Delegate Community Service Day”, and the busses will depart soon to take us to plant trees in a local park. No way I can fulfill this obligation and still get to the floor of the convention by “3 o-clock sharp” to be in place to cast my vote before Maryland’s name comes up in the rollcall. My husband Mike loves to garden. He will do my community service, I will go vote; problem solved. Eventually I learn that I can cast my vote in writing, before leaving the hotel, instead of waiting until I arrive on the convention floor. On August 27, at precisely 12:32 p.m., I submit my vote for Obama. I know in my heart that I have just played a part in history, and that the man I am nominating will transform the Democratic Party and our beloved United States of America in wonderful ways. The emotional and historical significance of this moment is unlike anything I have ever felt in my life. Every day, transportation is provided for all delegates from our hotel, the Renaissance Denver, to the actual convention at the Pepsi Center downtown. Today I find myself sitting next to delegate Deborah Breedlove from South Carolina. We share stories about our respective states and the significant events that played a part in our current success. Arriving at the Pepsi Center, we go through many security points before getting to Section 116 where the Maryland delegation has resided for the last 3 days. I can’t believe it! Just before leaving my room I applied my favorite perfume and put the bottle in my purse rather than leaving it in my room. It turns out to be the first casualty of the trip! OUCH! Once seated on the floor of the convention hall, there is an intensity within the delegation that I have not felt on previous days. It’s all because we have to vote!! The roll call has begun; Alabama (60 votes; 48 Barack, 5 Hilary); Alaska (18 votes; 15 Barack, 3 Hillary). Our Maryland delegates are not yet all accounted for. We were supposed to report in by 3:00 pm. It is already 3:45 and all votes have not been counted. The roll call proceeds; American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas… We get all the way to Kansas before our last delegate arrives. Only Kentucky and Louisiana stood between us and an awkward moment in the national spotlight. We made it just in time! Maryland casts 100 votes; 94 for Barack, 6 for Hillary. Little do I realize that the real drama is only minutes away from unfolding. I have no idea of the coming display of unity that will result in Barack being nominated by acclamation!! -- Cheryl Miller

Team Maryland

2008-08-27T21:44:24Z

Each morning at 7:30 am our entire Maryland Delegation meets for breakfast and a formal program of events. These state-by-state meetings represent the “convention-inside-the-convention,” and we’ve been encouraged to arrive especially early on Wednesday morning. Promises of “a special guest” and free sports jerseys for the first 100 to arrive have been dangled as extra enticement. I’m finally feeling jet lag, but by 7:20 a.m. I open my hotel door, and Mike and I emerge wearing matching orange Orioles T-shirts. The breakfast theme, we’ve been told is “Team Maryland,” and we should come decked out in apparel representing our favorite team. As if on cue, Dan Clements, the whip of our Maryland Delegation, emerges from his hotel room directly across the hall from my own. Dan is wearing street clothes, and comments how great it would be if he’d packed an Obama T-shirt to wear right now, because that, for sure, is the team we are all on. My husband jumps in to say that we have a whole stack of T-shirts, and, hey, let's all go change into our Obama gear. Dan agrees, picks a blue Obama '08 shirt from our private stash, and we disappear back into our respective rooms for a quick wardrobe change. By 7:28 am the three of us roll into the "Team Maryland" breakfast meeting. There is a marching band, part of the Denver Broncos drumline, playing on stage. The mood is electric and the dress in the room is eclectic. Everybody is fired up and ready to go. Everyone is euphoric. After all, the night before Hillary Clinton has delivered the speech of a lifetime and everyone in the room is in love with Hillary for being in love with Barack Obama. We are feeling unified and energized. Before breakfast ends, we have been treated to remarks of encouragement by each of the highest ranking elected officials from the state of Maryland. Our special guest is none other than Maryland’s own daughter, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Her serious and impassioned remarks challenge, inform and encourage us. -- Cheryl Miller

Of white pantsuits and potent symbolism

2008-08-26T19:25:25Z

By 3 o’clock on Monday afternoon, all the security checkpoints were behind me.

Now, inside the Pepsi Center for the very first time, I took my seat in the section reserved for the Maryland delegation and began to take in the scene that swirled around me.

The main stage appeared to glitter at times, and by some magic of technology every sight and sound coming from the podium seemed to burst forth larger-than-life -- surrounding us like so many stars in a high-tech planetarium.

The Maryland delegation was seated so high up that initially it felt as if we were little more than observers of the “real action” down on the floor where the delegation banners of such battleground states as Virginia, New Mexico, and Iowa seemed to surround Obama’s own Illinois delegation.

However, as the evening progressed and the parade of fantastic speakers unfolded, the hubbub of the “maddening crowd” enveloped us quickly and often.

My eyes settled on the image of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, one of the earliest speakers of the evening. As I took in her inspiring words about the historical significance of the convention, I was also struck by the elegance of her attire, a white Nehru-collared pantsuit that was just perfect for the woman and the moment.

The sight of Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter at the podium filled me with nostalgia.

It is not unusual for former presidents to go on to make phenomenal contributions to the social and political causes they champion after leaving office. But in my book of heroes, no former president has done a better of job of this than Jimmy Carter. I was happy to be in the same room as him.

Jessie Jackson, Jr. took the stage. He caused chills to run down my spine when he made reference to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. looking down on our assembly, being held “in the mile high city of Denver.” This is the first national political convention in history, the younger Jackson went on to assert, “that is being convened within sight of a mountaintop”. His potent symbolism was lost on no one.

In some corner of my mind I had wondered if six hours worth of speeches would eventually leave me with ebbing enthusiasm and engagement. Not to worry! The events of the evening were flying by. There were side conversations, new people to meet, old friends to chat with and an ever more compelling roster of speakers taking the podium at center stage.

I loved the testimonial to Ted Kennedy, and seeing him muster the strength needed for his moment. There was also Caroline Kennedy. Hours after my chance one-on-one elevator encounter with Caroline, I’m again one of the anonymous millions being warmed by her words as she graciously insists that Barack Obama deserves to be in the same company as her long-fallen, but never forgotten dad.

But then came THE moment of the evening. Placards bearing her name were quietly distributed. We all settled into our seats. Michele Obama was about to speak -- to us and to the world.

-- Cheryl Miller

On the elevator with Caroline

2008-08-25T20:10:17Z

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)

Convention dilemmas: Clinton roll call and sling-backs vs. flats

2008-08-24T10:00:00Z

We are flying into Denver on Sunday, and we have been somewhat fatigued.

Not only have we been packing to send our youngest daughter off to college, we're also recovering from a great event for Barack Obama at our home on Saturday, Aug. 9th.

My husband and I, along with the entire Anne Arundel County for Obama volunteer group, sponsored a fundraiser to Elect Obama in our home. We had approximately 350 people in attendance that day in a three-part open house beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 10 p.m.

There were great feelings of euphoria and exuberance as we greeted people that just eight short months ago were strangers -- some of whom we now call our friends.

But now it's off to Denver.

Each day in the mail, there is an invitation to yet another event. Americans For Democratic Action; Working Families WIN; Congressional Black Caucus Foundation; Emily's List -- just a small sampling of the invitations that are coming my way. All of this in addition to the many gala events sponsored by many local and national politicians.

There are the usual packing dilemmas, of course: flat comfortable shoes vs. sexy diva sling-backs, shawls for the very cold air-conditioning environments and sleeveless for the hot!

For all of my excitement about this social extravaganza, there are feelings of anxiety and discomfort that I just can't seem to shake about the Clinton roll call.

What does it mean to have a roll call at a national convention? How will this affect the party? Will it weaken the presumptive nominee and his chances for securing the presidency?

I know that it is intended to unite the party after a divisive primary fight and I pray that it will provide the necessary healing.

But what if it doesn't?

Just when I seem to be overwhelmed by all of the negative possibilities, my eyes go to the screen saver on the computer. It is one of the many pictures (below) taken of guests and volunteers at our fundraiser, many of whom were Hilary supporters during the primary season. I let out a deep sigh of relief! I just know that "everything is gonna be alright"!

(Written by Cheryl Miller)