The 2008 National Democratic Convention: A Retrospective Review

In August of 2008, thousands of supporters of the United States Democratic Party flocked to Denver, Colorado to the 45th Democratic National Convention. A lavish and expensive affair, the city of Denver overcame 35 other notable cities, including others finalists New York and Minneapolis-St Paul, part of a group 11 contenders which had committed completed proposals necessary for the bidding process. Although the Host Committee had concerns of a $15 million dollar shortfall several months prior to the date, it did in fact, obtain the needed funding, reaching over $60 million. This however, was relatively minute in comparison to the $160 million in revenue expected from the convention transpiring there.

Taking place from August 25th to August 28th, the Democratic National Convention (DNC) of 2008, attracted some 50,000 attendees, for the first three days. First located in the Pepsi Center stadium, these date carried such themes as “One Nation,” “Renewing America’s Promise,” and “Securing America’s Future” respectively. The final day, in which the selected nominee articulated an acceptance speech, the convention to the Invensco Field, where some 84,000 people attended while an estimated audience 38.4 million followed the broadcast of the final speech.

Not all those who chose to make appearance shared the common political beliefs of the party. As with any political statement, this event also stirred controversy among some. Taking this into account, a demonstration area, located in “Park Lot A” was fashioned to accommodate the protesters, while keeping them at somewhat of a distance. Ironically, a wire mesh fence designed to keep the protesters at a distance was itself a cause of objection. Meanwhile, the city of Denver prepared for any unruly demonstrations by forming a task force of about 3,000 officers from the Denver Police department and others. Ultimately, there was reported total of 152 arrests, including a new producer for ABC News, but for these detainment were for relatively small infractions such as trespassing.

All opposition aside, the content of the occasion had high standards to meet-even among the strongest supporters. A definitive point in history, this event gathered many from around the country to celebrate the progress of groundbreaking nominees, and instill a hope for a path to better times. Among those giving speeches were well-known political figures as former president Bill Clinton, former vice president John Kerry, former senator Hillary Clinton, former Senator Joe Biden, former Senator Barack Obama, former Virginia Governor Mark Warner, former Vice President Al Gore. Even Michelle Obama gave an oration to assuage voters’ uncertainties about her husband. However, the real focal point consisted of two people: former Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (New York) and former Senator Barack Obama (Illinos). One thing was certain: this event would prove to be a monumental in the history of the United States.

Indeed, former Senator Hillary Clinton and former Senator Obama proved to be symbolic of the changing times, no matter who was awarded the nomination. African- American, youthful, and charismatic, Obama, with his platform of “Change We Can Believe In” raised the spirits of many people frustrated with the current landscape and discouraged by economic turmoil. A successful bid for the presidency by Obama definitely appealed to quite a few participants. On the other hand, the more experienced Hillary Clinton offered dream personified to a number of female voters: an affluent, intelligent, and politically connected figure poised to shatter the glass ceiling which has brought headaches to so many other women. Because both these candidates represented parties historically undermined, many media outlets proclaimed a contest pitting race against gender, an especially difficult decision for voters, especially for African-American women.

Ultimately, Clinton, having endorsed Obama on June 3rd of that year, (though still in the running) formally ended her bid for the nomination during the roll call. Before the roll call was suspended, New York’s Hillary Clinton had amassed 341.5 of the delegates’ votes, compared to 1549 allocated to Illinois’ Barack Obama- perhaps in part due to nearly quarter of the delegate count being African American. This designated the wildly popular former senator Barack Obama as the sole contender against Republican opponent John McCain. In short, the 2008 Democratic National Convention signified Barack Obama as the Democratic Party’s new hope to renew America’s promise, secure America’s future, and effectuate the unity of one nation.

'Watch' parties planned for Obama's speech tonight

By CHARLES CRUMM
Journal Register News Service
Thursday, August 28, 2008

When Illinois Sen. Barack Obama accepts the Democratic presidential nomination tonight, Sigrid Grace plans to be as close as she can get.

That might be difficult, given that Denver's Invesco Field is expected to cram in as many as 75,000 people for Obama's acceptance speech.
"I'm very pleased that on the floor of the convention, Michigan is right behind Colorado, and Colorado is right up front," the at-large delegate from Rochester Hills said Wednesday.

"I think we've got an optimal seating spot," she said. "I adored watching Caroline (Kennedy), Hillary (Clinton) and Michelle (Obama) that close."

Closer to home, Obama "watch" parties are planned at various locations around the county and the state for faithful Democrats not attending the national convention.

Among those who chose to stay home this year is county Commissioner Dave Woodward, D-Royal Oak.

"I actually had a plane ticket," Woodward said. "Sunday, I decided not to fly out."

Woodward said county business kept him from attending and he's not a delegate to the convention. He faces Republican Jean Chamberlain in the November election.

Woodward said he plans to attend an Obama watch party at Woody's in Royal Oak.

"We're going to have a big convention watch party there," he said.

An Obama watch party will also be held in Pontiac at the Crofoot, 1 S. Saginaw St.

The Obama campaign Web site, www.barackobama.com, lists 77 watch parties with times and addresses within 30 miles of Pontiac, most held in people's homes.

While Democrats wrap up their convention today, Republicans are gearing up for theirs in Minneapolis, which begins Monday and will end with the nomination of Arizona Sen. John McCain as the GOP presidential candidate on Sept. 4.

Watch parties are also planned for McCain's nomination.

The 2008 Democratic National Convention is scheduled to be held from
Monday, August 25, through Thursday, August 28, 2008,
at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.

© 2008 Jackie Shumaker ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

On February 2, 2007, the Democratic Party of the United States issued the Call for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, which are a set of rules governing the convention.
There will basically be a total of 4097 delegates. 3515 will be pledged delegates, most of which are allocated among the states in rough proportion according to the votes each state gave the democratic candidates in the last three presidential elections and the percentage of votes each state has in the Electoral College. Fixed numbers of delegates are allocated to US territories and Democrats Abroad. The delegate population must reflect the state's ethnic distribution and 50% of the delegates must be women. The remaining 852 unpledged delegates are known as superdelegates. Superdelegates are prominamt democratic figures, including democratic members of the congress, governers and national committee members.

See the complete 42 page‘Call for the 2008 DemConvention’ in PDF format.