Final Reflections on the 2016 Democratic National Convention

REFLECTIONS ON THE 2016 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

The 2016 Democratic National Convention was very exhilarating and a whirlwind of activities.  As I reflect on my experiences, I found my exposure to political, media and entertainment stars an unexpected thrill, but what meant the most to me was the intelligence, fraternity and conviction of the Bernie delegates, both inside and outside of the Convention – to the leader of their movement and the very important issues he and they continue to champion. I am encouraged by the activism of these passionate patriots and am grateful for the independents and young people the Bernie campaign attracted to help fight the corruption and entrenchment of a system so dependent on money where corporations have no limit on how much they can donate thanks to the Citizens' United Supreme Court decision.  Not only did I witness history in the first nomination of a woman to be President of the United States, but also witnessed the beginning of a powerful movement that hopefully will awaken more Americans to the problems of our democracy and motivate them to be part of the necessary change.

I believe the Democratic Party succeeded in making a very expensive and environmentally insensitive (the whole over the top balloon drop) commercial for Hillary Clinton which has produced the sought after important post-convention bump in the polls. 

I and I’m sure the vast TV audience heard very inspiring speeches by Michelle and Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Rev. William Barker, Khizr Khan, Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and others.  The party’s messages of love trumps hate, unity and stronger together came through via the signs, speakers and the media reports, but there were other less reported things going on during the convention that I experienced and would like to share.  Please read the following article to see what things looked like to an articulate CA Bernie delegate, much of which I observed and some of which I participated in (planning meetings, holding up No More War, No TPP and No Fracking signs and wearing a neon green t-shirt the last day of the Convention),

First night 

and to understand why Sanders Berners kept up the heat! http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/why_sanders_berners_kept_up_the_heat_20160802

Two articles further describe the convention as a whole from different perspectives which I found interesting and hope you will as well.  Professional writers and journalists do a much better job than I could!

http://commondreams.org/views/2016/08/02/dnc-achieved-unity-through-forced-conformity-and-.manufactured-consent

http://michaelsalamone.com/a-tale-of-two-conventions/  

And finally, Jim Hightower evaluates what progressives achieved and provides a glimpse of the future.

-It lifted: from the political scrap heap up to the top of our national discourse — the concerns of middle- and low-income families: creating good, middle-class jobs through a national program of infrastructure repair and development of the green economy; enacting a $15 minimum wage; removing crushing education debt from the backs of students; coping with the imminent crisis of climate change; repealing the Supreme Court's democracy-destroying Citizens United edict; implementing pay equity for women; stopping the war machine's constant adventurism; expanding Social Security; providing Medicare for all; halting the unjust mass incarceration of African Americans and Latinos; defunding the disastrous drug war; demilitarizing our police forces; replenishing our public treasury by taxing Wall Street speculators; and generally restoring economic fairness, social justice, and equal opportunity for all as central purposes of public policy.-

Read more about what was accomplished in his article below:

http://www.truth-out.org/buzzflash/commentary/jim-hightower-the-populist-insurgency-is-ratcheting-up

People want to know – I’m not going Green.  I will stay in the Democratic Party and work for progressive change within.  As I’ve done for years I will work with my county Democratic Central Committee to register voters (which in California means primarily Democrats!) and will donate to the extent I can and work for progressive Democratic Congressional candidates.  I will continue to be a Co-Chair of the San Mateo County Democracy for America Democratic club, a progressive group that strives to support progressive candidates and issues by public education, activism and lobbying local legislators.  Also, I have been encouraging CA Bernie supporters to run for local office and to continue to educate people about the issues we care about.  I will check out Brand New Congress (a group begun by former Bernie staffers) and the Bernie campaign follow-up group, Our Revolution, and will likely join those efforts to support Berniecrats.  I am hopeful that the newly invigorated grassroots will gradually take hold and grow – until the corporations no longer are able to control our government and it works “to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.”  And, though it won’t matter much in blue California, I probably will vote for Hillary while strongly hoping she will work for the end of corruption and our oligarchy and energetically seek peace and justice as well as a healthy society and planet.

No more war!

Days 2 and 3

Day 2 – July 26

Breakfast for the CA delegation at our hotel started with bang!  I ran into and chatted with Congresswoman Jackie Speier and heard some great speakers, Hon. John Lewis, AG Kamala Harris, Tom Steyer and surprise of surprises – my hero, Senator Bernie Sanders!!  I stood right by the stage, took some close up photos and listened one more time as he articulated the progressive policies he’s been championing for a lifetime.  More tears.

After a secret Bernie strategy meeting in an anteroom by the pool, and a quick sandwich at the Reading Terminal, Julie and I took the subway to the Wells Fargo Center, determined to get seats closer to the action (and the California pole!)  Unfortunately, when we arrived, they told us they weren’t letting in delegates for almost 2 hours!!  Julie found an entrance with a guard who was slacking a bit on his responsibilities and we were in!  Only all the seats in the first 6 rows were reserved for Congress and their guests.  And the next 4 rows were reserved by the DNC.  We nevertheless settled in in much better seats and awaited the roll call.  We were treated to an enchanting sound check by Alicia Keys. 

Soon it was time for the roll call.  Punctuated with Bernie and Hillary chants, they went through all the states, skipping over Vermont so that Bernie could have the opportunity to announce that all votes had been registered and counted and Hillary would be the Democratic nominee.  Such a classy guy.

Soon we were rewarded with a great evening of speakers and a terrific performance by the lovely Alicia Keys.  Of course, one of my favorite speakers was Howard Dean, who did a little reenactment of his listing of states where we’re going to win punctuated with a final “scream.”  Highlights also included John Lewis (second time in one day!) Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, the powerhouse, Sen. Barbara Boxer, the natural, sincere Meryl Streep and a performance by the lovely and very talented Alicia Keys.  Bill Clinton was his usually engaging self, which you likely saw, as he shared his personal memories and insights into Hillary’s character. After another late night we headed back to the hotel.

Day 3 - July 27, 2016

We overslept and unfortunately missed Howard Dean and a number of other speakers at the CA Breakfast.   Then I got going and went to another Bernie delegate strategy meeting and then to national DFA training for prospective candidates that  provided lots of useful information.  It was so popular that two sessions had to increase to three!  On the way back to the room, I ran into my cousin, Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT) and took a photo with him and his wife, Cynthia.  He was on his way to speak at a Planned Parenthood luncheon.

My friend, Elsa attended it and learned a lot about some polling they'd done on the favorability and unfavorability of Hillary and Bernie.  Pretty disturbing.  Julie and I missed the luncheon and took a subway to the Wells Fargo arena to be there early and once again, Julie found a way for us to get in before the arena was totally open.

Before the speeches on Day 3 Julie and I explored the lower floor area to see the view the lucky states like New York had and encountered a number of Congress members and media people such as Chris Jansing and Steve Kornacki of MSNBC, two tall and talented correspondents from the Daily Show (Hasan Minhaj and Jordan Klepper) and the incomparable Carole King.  I shared greetings from another Carole and Julie took a photo of us which she posted to Facebook.  Fun to see celebrities!  

Then we hurried back to our seats as it was always a challenge to save them.  Among others we heard Gavin Newsom and Jerry Brown.  (CA Bernie supporters were flashing their no fracking signs then!) It was the night of love  - and we also heard meaningful speeches from Charleston survivors, Mark Kelly and Gaby Giffords, and Broadway stars whose singing of "Love, Sweet Love" had everyone singing and swaying in unison.  Message getting through!  We met Tim Kaine and he seems like a great guy - not as progressive as I would like, but will help the Democrats reach people in the center they think.  That was followed by the inspirational words of the terrific, passionate Joe Biden who had the crowd on its feet.  Security was extra tight as the President was in the house and treated the convention goers to his magnificent oratory.  I'm going to miss that - big time!

All around the arena the no TPP signs could be seen despite all the Obama sticks and other signs. During the convention Bernie delegates had been trying to engage Hillary delegates to get them to sign forms indicating their opposition to the TPP.  Although many seemed to be opposed to it, very few were willing to sign the petitions.  Nevertheless, the next day one of our CA delegates reported having run into Ami Bera and when she asked if he would oppose having the TPP come up during the lame duck Congress, he seemed to say in a dejected manner that he thought the TPP was dead.  We'll see, I guess.

Back to the hotel by 1:30am and off to the CA delegate party we'd paid for through the CA Democratic Party.  Although the live music was good, it was very loud so conversation was impossible but after not having eaten all day since breakfast, their cold food tasted pretty good! Amazing that this septogenarian was going to bed at nearly 2:30 am!!