Blogging the Democratic National Convention

by Mary Mooney, Wakulla County Delegate

August 28, 2008 

Publisher's Note:  Four delegates from Wakulla County attended the Democratic National Convention this past week in Denver, Colorado.  The convention officially ran from August 25th to August 28th.  The delegates were Mary Mooney, Mike Williams, Maria Carter, and Alan Brock.  We featured daily blog entries here on Wakulla.com, sort of like our own "You Were There" column.  This is Mary Mooney's entry from the last day, August 28, 2008.

The Democratic National Convention Concluded last night, so this will be the final wrap up of the activities there.  It has been amazing to represent Wakulla County and Congressional District 2 in Denver, to participate in the decisions, the experiences, and to interact with the incredible leaders of our Party and our Nation here!  Last night's festivities were so awesome, many were moved to tears and others just dazed into silence. 

It is bittersweet to conclude the Convention:  in spite of the work (yes we actually work here!), the complications of moving so many people around to so many places, and the sheer vastness of the arenas this was such a positive experience and such a personal one for each of us.  This is why we chose to have each of our four Delegates:  Mike Williams of St. Marks, Alan Brock of Wakulla Station, Mary Mooney of Medart, and Alternate Maria Carter (we adopted this Alachua County resident as she was born and raised in our community) write for you on each evening of the Convention.  Everyone had different responsibilities, different opportunities, and differing time here. 

{sidebar id=1}Mike Williams had responsibilities to the Unions he organizes, meetings with them, speeches to make to the Florida Delegation about the importance of fighting for the rights of American workers who are being denied benefits (such as the employees in WalMart) and the opportunity to organize.  Mike is fairly new to our community and we are so lucky to have had him move to St. Marks  - we look forward to years of working together.  Mike is a seasoned Conventioneer and has attended many times - he and his collected Union partners served here as "Whips" helping people keep aisles clear, find their seats, and generally helping others to enjoy the experience.  I am personally grateful for all the assistance they provided to me and I'm thinking about becoming a plumber/pipefitter so I can join their union :)  

Alan Brock had such a short time here, because of the fact that the Republican legislature fixed things so that our primary election in Florida was exactly in the middle of the Democratic Convention.  Alan is running for Wakulla County Commission and since that was his first priority, he missed the first two days of the Convention, and many opportunities as a result.  Contrary to the smear tactics utilitized by some residents, Alan was not here to drink lattes, nor have I ever seen him do so.  He is here as an ambassador for Wakulla County, and he accomplishes a great deal in that capacity.  He sacrifices not only his time, but his own money to cover the trips we take to help in running our County and State - in case you are unaware these trips are at our own expense, including both the flight and the lodging.  But Alan did both, as he always does, because he is better at piroritizing than any person of any age I have ever known.

I will take this opportunity to explain that those of us who work (hard) for the Florida and National Democratic Party do so without any personal reward beyond the satisfaction of making things better for our community and our State and Nation.  Do not imagine that the election of a new President, at the same time as all the National and State Representatives and Senators is all fun and games.  Those who are desperately negatively campaigning for their local choice of candidates for offices in Wakulla do so without being involved in the party they claim to be members of:  The Democratic Party.  There is no such thing as an Independent Democrat, nor is there such a thing as a Blue Dog Democrat.  We are Democrats, members of and active in the organization which is the Democratic Party and proud to be participating in the construction of their rules, their platform, and the structure in which we help so many people of the middle class. 

The Democratic Party is a large and diverse tent but it is a huge organization that requires dedication and real work - it is not the big party life that those who do not understand what party to register in, or those who think they can enjoy the labors of those like Alan and Mike and Maria and me who labor long and hard without them ever lifting a finger.  Those of us able to attend this convention as fully elected representatives of varying levels (Mike is an At Large Delegate elected from the State Executive Committee, Alan and I are Congressional District delegates elected by the people of our Congressional District, Maria is an Alternate also elected by our State Exec. Committee) worked as hard as some of our local electeds do just to be granted the privilege of participation here.  This is why it is miraculous that Wakulla County has its first Delegates in history  - this is in no small part due to the long years of Alan Brock's labor in our State Party and his wise counsel in the process.  When I get home I will specifically address the negativity of these individuals who ridicule REAL Democratic persons and candidacies - in this blog I will just try to help you experience what we were able to live.

{sidebar id=1}Surely you all heard the wonderful and pointed speeches last night and if you haven't I sincerely recommend you take the time to find them on the web (Cnn.com, MSNBC.com, et al) and watch them.  Senators Richardson, Biden, and of course Obama were the biggest crowd pleasers.  The musical interludes with Stevie Wonder, Will I Am,  and Cheryl Crow were also simply incredible. From Florida's seats we had very close views of all our heroes, and within the crowd we mingled with others like Chevy Chase, Jesse Jackson, Herb Gardner and Brian Wiliams among other news luminaries, and so many political stars it was indescribably exciting. 

We also learned how much work it is to simply take the pictures you see on your TV - how heavy the "portable" cameras are and how difficult it is to make your way through these crowds, and how hard to find just the right shot to send home to you.  Since the Florida Delegation was probably the most excited to actually get to fully participate, we were the liveliest, and got so much TV coverage for everyone - from those in the outlandish outfits to those of us having thoughtful moments while listening intently to those we hope to elect in November.  Speeches MATTER to Democrats because we take pride in keeping our word and our promises to the people that elect us, not just in spewing out words that have meaning opposite of their intention (No Child Left Behind? Really?). 

So in that place with fireworks and security and 80,000 people and music and screaming and jumping and ovations and cameras on wires overhead and impressive electronics, there was the inevitable thoughtful intense silence as our candidates spoke to us about the future.  In these moments we all got goosebumps.  We are able to once again feel that this economy in which so many of our local families are suffering, that our Constitution which has been warped and stretched nearly beyond the capacity to repair will once again have meaning, and that the "war" in Iraq will end and our boys will stop paying for the lies of their President with their lives. 

We left filled with HOPE and we know we will win in November because we must -- for you, the people of the middle class who make somewhat less than 5 million dollars a year.  It is why we were here, and why we work every day for your Democratic Party - the one without the defining adjectives of "independent" or "blue dog".  Last night was our defining moment and I hope you all heard the message.

When I get home I will add my pictures - the personal moments that will define my experience for you.  I have worked so hard here every moment that I have not had time to respond to the over 300 emails I have received and appreciate.  I hope that you all have personal stories to tell of what this Convention meant to you even though you were not here in person to enjoy this gorgeous Colorado Summer weather (no humidity!!! and a breeze constantly!!!).  I will be driving back and hope to be home late Monday evening.

Mary Mooney
Wakulla County State Committeewoman
Florida Democratic Small County Coalition County Outreach Chair
Wakulla County Democratic Black Caucus Charter Member
Congressional District 2 Delegate to the DNCC
Practice Manager for Wakulla County's First Dentist: Dennis R. Mooney, DDS
Lake Ellen Resident and Democratic Voter
 WakullaDemocrats@aol.com
http://www.wakullademocrats.org/

This blog entry originally published on September 5, 2008.

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