"Barack Obama is my candidate. And he must be our President." - Hillary Clinton

Senator Hillary Clinton took to the podium tonight and delivered a resounding speech to the assembled delegates and to Americans across the nation. As one of the most groundbreaking candidates ever to run for the Presidency, Senator Clinton has inspired millions of women and men with her unyielding commitment to the causes that we all care so deeply about. And tonight, she left no doubt about what we all must do to face the challenges ahead of us: unite behind Barack Obama and present a fully unified Democratic Party to the country and the world.

Senator Clinton’s speech was a stirring reminder that presidential campaigns are not about a single person, but about the power of what people can do when they come together to unite for change:

I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?

It really was an incredible moment for our party and for America. If you missed it, check out this video of her address:

Original post by Bradley Portnoy

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 10:24 pm and is filed under Political Candidate News.

This afternoon Michelle dropped by a luncheon honoring the LGBT Delegates in Denver. Building on what she shared last night, Michelle spoke about Barack’s vision for the world as it should be, focusing on themes of equality and justice.

Barack believes that if we come together, and work together, we can build the world as it should be.

In the world as it should be:

We work together to repeal laws like DOMA and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and we oppose divisive constitutional amendments that would strip civil rights and benefits away from LGBT Americans–because discrimination has no place in a nation founded on the promise of equality.

Anyone willing to put in an honest day’s work can make a good living and support their family–and employers are held accountable for discrimination against LGBT Americans.

The federal government fully protects all of us–including LGBT Americans–against hate crimes.

In the world as it should be, we recognize that equality in relationship, family, and adoption rights isn’t an abstract principle, but goes directly to whether all Americans can lead lives of dignity and freedom.

Watch a clip from Michelle’s remarks at the LGBT caucus meeting below:

Original post by Laurin Manning

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 9:45 pm and is filed under Political Candidate News.

This afternoon Michelle dropped by the LGBT caucus meeting in Denver. Building on what she shared last night, Michelle spoke about Barack’s vision for the world as it should be, focusing on themes of equality and justice.

Barack believes that if we come together, and work together, we can build the world as it should be.

In the world as it should be:

We work together to repeal laws like DOMA and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and we oppose divisive constitutional amendments that would strip civil rights and benefits away from LGBT Americans–because discrimination has no place in a nation founded on the promise of equality.

Anyone willing to put in an honest day’s work can make a good living and support their family–and employers are held accountable for discrimination against LGBT Americans.

The federal government fully protects all of us–including LGBT Americans–against hate crimes.

In the world as it should be, we recognize that equality in relationship, family, and adoption rights isn’t an abstract principle, but goes directly to whether all Americans can lead lives of dignity and freedom.

Watch a clip from Michelle’s remarks at the LGBT caucus meeting below:

Original post by Laurin Manning

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 9:45 pm and is filed under Political Candidate News.

Joe Biden made his first campaign appearance as the Democratic vice presidential nominee earlier today, joining Michelle Obama, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, and Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner at an Economic Roundtable. Biden talked directly and bluntly about issues like the Supreme Court, taxes and health care, explaining:

My dad used to have an expression. He’d say ‘Don’t tell me what you value, show me your budget and I will tell you what you value.’ … This is not something that is beyond our reach. It’s all about what your priorities are.

Original post by Christopher Hass

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 9:32 pm and is filed under Political Candidate News.

On this 88th anniversary of women’s suffrage, Michelle Obama joined several of the most prominent women leaders in the country — including Senator Hillary Clinton and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — at a gathering with EMILY’s List earlier this afternoon in Denver.

Michelle spoke to a packed house of primarily women who were brimming with enthusiasm and are ready to elect a president who will stand strong on women’s rights.

Last night’s big speech notwithstanding, Michelle admitted her mom duties have caused her some distraction from the festivities of the convention, given the event’s timing.

School is about to start, and I was thinking about how I was going to get Malia’s books and locker combination.

Check out this video excerpt from Michelle’s remarks at today’s EMILY’s List event:

Original post by Laurin Manning

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 9:19 pm and is filed under Political Candidate News.

You know, I spent 20 years in business. If you ran a company whose only strategy was to tear down the competition, it wouldn’t last long. So why is this wisdom so hard to find in Washington? I know we’re at the Democratic Convention, but if an idea works, it really doesn’t matter if it has an "R" or "D" next to it. Because this election isn’t about liberal versus conservative. It’s not about left versus right. It’s about the future versus the past.

Mark Warner, the former governor of Virginia and 2008 Democratic nominee for the United States Senate, delivered the keynote address tonight, the second night of the Democratic National Convention.

Warner knows a thing or two about change. As he shared in his speech, during his tenure as governor of Virginia, Warner inherited a dire state budget shortfall. Warner worked with the heavily Republican legislature to close the budget gap. Under his leadership, Virginia was named the best-managed states in the nation. The state made record investments in education, innovation, and job training and got 98 percent of Virginia children who were eligible enrolled in the children’s health care program.

Warner shares Barack’s vision for change and commitment to working together to solve the problems we face. Check out pictures from Warner’s speech below:

Original post by Laurin Manning

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 8:30 pm and is filed under Political Candidate News.

Original post by Christopher Hass

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 7:58 pm and is filed under Political Candidate News.

Original post by Christopher Hass

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 6:49 pm and is filed under Political Candidate News.

Earlier today marked the second round of caucus meetings at the Denver Convention Center, where delegates join with community and political leaders to reflect on accomplishments of the past and goals for the future. Today’s meetings included the Women Caucus, Disabilities Caucus, Youth Caucus, Faith Caucus, and Veterans and Military Families Caucus.

At the Faith Caucus a number of panelists took questions from the audience as part of a conversation about the values and priorities of the Faith community. Former Indiana Congressman, Tim Roemer, spoke about how he always keeps with him a picture of Mother Theresa that says, "Do small things with great love," to remind him of how much each of us can do, one small action at a time, to influence the world around us for the better.

Also at the Faith meeting, Wes of Falls Church, Virginia shared why he supports Barack Obama and why he has been working to help register new voters.

Barack Obama is able to hear all viewpoints without alienating people. So, even those who disagree with the final decision can respect it because they have been heard.

Larry from North Carolina participated in the Veterans Caucus today. He is a Vietnam War veteran and part of the Lumbee First American Tribe. He originally voted for Senator Clinton in the North Carolina primary, but today he explained why he is now supporting Barack Obama.

I’m a veteran. John McCain is a veteran, but I’m not supporting John McCain because he’s not about what I’m about. I’m about fair wages, the environment, healthcare… I support Barack Obama. He is the man for the job.

Larry also shared why he first became politically active.

I got involved in politics because, when I was in Vietnam in 1969, I made a promise to God that if He helped me get out of there I would do whatever I could to make sure no one else had to be in a situation like that.

The convention caucuses provide an opportunity for people like Larry to have a role in the American political process and ensure real people who are taking action to renew America’s promise are heard.

The Women Caucus was one of the largest today, as women from across the nation came together to celebrate Women’s Equality Day, the anniversary of women gaining the right to vote.

Check out pictures from today’s caucus meetings . . .

Original post by Nikki Sutton

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 5:30 pm and is filed under Political Candidate News.

6:17 PM (local) — In just a few moments, Pauline Beck from Oakland, California will take to the podium and address the Democratic National Convention. Barack first met Pauline in August of 2007, when he lived a day in her life as a home healthcare worker as part of the SEIU’s "Walk A Day In My Shoes" program.

Pauline is a single foster mother of two, and also cares for her 2-year-old great-grand-nephew. When Barack shadowed her, he started the day with Pauline’s family before moving on to care for her client, John Thornton. At the time, Pauline said "He wanted to get a feel for everything I did. He insisted on doing everything."

Pauline believes that Barack is the best candidate to help America’s workers in this troubling economy. Before she goes on, make sure to check out her previous video.

6:08 PM (local) — You’ll soon meet Katherine Marcano of Iowa when she addresses the National Convention. Katherine balances working a full-time job and being a college student, while providing health insurance for her younger sister. Katherine suffered even greater hardship after being displaced by this summer’s floods in Iowa.

Barack first met Katherine last month when he visited Iowa to speak with residents about the flood damage they had recently suffered. 

Learn more about Katherine’s story here.

Tune in now or visit the DNC site to watch a live streaming video of her speech.

5:41 PM (local) – In a few minutes, you’ll meet Robin Golden from Michigan, one of the ordinary Americans chosen to address the convention. Robin will represent just one of the hundreds of workers at the seat-track plant where he works whose job will be shipped overseas to Mexico when the plant closes in November. Robin supports Senator Obama because of his economic plans to rebuild America and help struggling working families.

"I think my personal experience shows why we need change, why we need Barack Obama’s message and him to represent the middle class," Robin says.

Read more about Robin’s personal journey to the convention here.

5:08 PM (local) – The next event at the convention is a panel of U.S. Senate Women. We’re especially excited about this event, because today is National Women’s Equality Day – commemorating 88 years since women gained the right to vote with the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. Eighty-eight years after women gained enfranchisement, there are 16 women in the U.S. Senate – 11 of them Democrats!

Today’s speakers include Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D-AR), Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

4:32 PM (local) – Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, is about to address the convention. Cecile is also the daughter of fomer Governor of Texas Ann Richards. 

Planned Parenthood endorsed Barack Obama on July 7, 2008.  "The Planned Parenthood Action Fund is proud to endorse Barack Obama for president of the United States," said Action Fund president Cecile Richards when PPFA endorsed Obama.  "He is a passionate advocate for women’s rights, and has a long and consistent record of standing up for women’s health care. As president, he will improve access to quality health care for women, support and protect a woman’s right to choose, support comprehensive sex education to keep our young people healthy and safe, and invest in prevention programs, including family planning services and breast cancer screenings."

3:30 PM (local) – In a few minutes you’ll meet David Gipp of North Dakota as he takes the stage to address the Democratic National Convention. A Native American educator, David has spent more than three decades working towards the development of tribal colleges. David is also an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Hunkpapa Lakota (Sioux) Tribe. He will speak about the need for more higher education opportunities for members of tribal nations. 

Read more about David’s journey to the convention here. 

3:00 PM (local) — The theme to the second day of the 45th Democratic National Convention is "Renewing America’s Promise."

Today’s speakers, including Senator Clinton and Governor Warner, will focus on restoring America’s promise, emphasizing Americans’ concerns about the economy, rising healthcare costs and the need to expand educational opportunities for all.

Americans are struggling to get by and the failed policies of the last eight years have left an economy out of balance. Barack knows that you can’t have a strong economy when you have a weak middle class.

Tonight’s program will also feature the voices of Americans who share Obama’s concerns and support his detailed economic plan to grow the economy, create jobs, and expand opportunity.

Throughout the night we’ll feature the ordinary citizens who are telling their stories this evening, along with pictures and videos from tonight’s program.

You can watch a live stream of the night’s speeches online at www.DemConvention.com.

Original post by Molly Claflin

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 5:17 pm and is filed under Political Candidate News.