DNC in Denver -- Day Four

August 27, 2008

We get to the AFSCME caucus this Wednesday morning just as my name is called to be a contestant in a takeoff on the "Price is Right." My guess on the average annual cost of family health care coverage was too low -- it's now well over $12,000 a year! Morning speakers included Harry Reid, Steny Hoyer, and Congressman Abercrombie from Hawaii. The need to make affordable health care available to all Americans is the top theme for all speakers. It has been the top theme for our union for at least the last 16 years. I sure hope to see be around when it happens. We had lunch, I said goodbye to some good AFSCME friends I don't expect to see again, and we went to get ready for the convention shuttle.

Street traffic is really heavy. Vendors are everywhere, as are the shoppers. According to vendors, the favorite tshirt of cops is the one that says "Black Man Running -- And Not From the Police." It is also popular with photographers.

Wednesday is vote day at the convention. The importance of the day seemed to energize the cadre of demonstrators who took the street in the largest parade we've seen. Delegate dress up also seems to reach new heights.

Also in town is a small caravan traveling the U.S. to focus attention on the fact that the current administration's promise to rebuild New Orleans remains substantially unfulfilled. A sunrise service is scheduled for the third anniversary of the hurricane -- August 29th.

This night there is a potential for suspense filled drama in the convention hall, but Hillary's motion to elect Obama by acclimation brings down the curtain on her campaign and results in a unanimous vote to nominate Barack Obama as the Democratic Party's candidate for the presidency of the United States of America.

Related photos are on Picasa.