This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon: August 25, 2008 - DENVER - It's possible that somewhere in this mile-high city, the well-choreographed Barack Obama campaign has assigned a team to chant against rain on Thursday night. That's when Obama visits INVESCO Field to accept the Democratic nomination for president.
Rain has to be kept away because, in this decade of tightened security, people won't be allowed to bring umbrellas. This isn't just a Democratic ban. The Republican Party has issued a similar prohibition against umbrellas and a string of weapons or devices that could be used as weapons or used to conceal weapons. The list includes guns, fireworks, strollers, poles and sticks, laser lights and pointers, and coolers. But inexplicably, the Democrats also have forbidden "all unauthorized merchandise, including unapproved pamphlets, handouts, advertisements, etc."
In any event, Democratic delegates were upbeat the first day of their convention. They know that rain or shine, they will witness a historic moment when Obama becomes the first African American to win the presidential nomination from a major political party. The almighty willing, the event will happen under clear skies.
Some women still disappointed
The downside of this otherwise jubilant convention is the bittersweet feelings among some women (and presumably some men, too) that their candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton, not only lost the nomination but got scant consideration for the vice presidential slot.
The disappointment surfaced anew two days before the convention when Obama announced that Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., would be his running mate. While most delegates seem to embrace the choice, they aren't sure how the disappointed among them will behave this week and how they ultimately will react at the polls in November.
Florissant Mayor Robert Lowery mentioned the issue even as he heaped praise on Obama for choosing Biden.
"I hope supporters of Clinton will get on board," Lowery said. "When everyone sits down and think about this, they are going to realize that (GOP presidential candidate John) McCain is just a continuation of the Bush administration."
Is the Issue Overblown?
During and following this mornng's breakfast meeting, several leading Missouri Democrats said stories about disaffected women had been overblown, particularly stories that some Democratic women would vote for McCain.
"Our theme is of unity," said John Temporiti, who chairs the Democratic Party in Missouri. "We do have a big tent, a seat at the table for everybody. When you do that, then obviously there will be a difference of opinion."
In the end, Temporiti said Democrats will leave Denver unified in their fight to beat McCain in November.
McCaskill says only "a very small group" of women is disappointed, but she said the public would eventually see the party unified. When Clinton takes the stage Wednesday night, McCaskill said, the fuss over her "will disappear." She added that "women I know won't vote for John McCain."
U.S. Reps. William Lacy Clay and Russ Carnahan also discounted the reports about women were mad about Obama overlooking Clinton for veep.
"Biden has a good record on women's issues," Clay said. "The election of McCain would set women back 50 years."
He also dismissed arguments that Obama can't win over white rural and working-class voters in Missouri, saying the election "is not about skin color. It's about the content of character." He added that Obama would appeal to Missouri voters across the board because Obama's campaign focuses on the betterment of people in all areas, ranging from education to health care.
Unity Is The Focus
Today and tomorrow, the party is focusing on unity. Today's session, "One Nation," will bring together prominent politicians from different generations. Speakers include Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. Her prime-time speech underscores her growing influence within the party and her value to the Obama campaign. She has advised Obama about her own experience in winning over rural voters during her Senate race. Her political insight might help Obama capture reluctant rural and working-class Missouri voters whose support is needed to put Missouri in the Democratic column in November.
"I feel blessed about the fact that I've been given the opportunity to speak," McCaskill says. One reason she was chosen, she says, "is because I speak from my heart."
She is scheduled to address the convention at 9 p.m. Central time. Tonight's program will also feature a tribute to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and there's some speculation that Kennedy will make a brief appearance.
Illinois Politicians Also Showcased
Tonight's session also showcases young Democratic leaders from Illinois. Some of these speakers, such as U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, undoubtedly hope to use this opportunity to gain traction for higher office in the same way that Obama did four years ago. Indeed, Jackson is said to be on a short list of those who might succeed Obama in the Senate should Obama win the presidency.
Some observers say that explains why young Jackson publicly criticized his father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, last month for making crude and harsh remarks about Obama. The elder Jackson, a civil rights leader, thought the microphone was turned off when he used some off-color language to criticize Obama on a FOX television show.
Big Money
Undoubtedly many delegates come to have a good time, too, and they won't be disappointed. But some popular events won't take place on the center stage at the Pepsi Center, site of the convention, but at several hundred events sponsored by lobbyists. Ethics rules have clamped down on spending for meals, music and other gifts from lobbyists to lawmakers. But a report by the Campaign Finance Institute and the Center for Responsive Politics says "a little creativity by their event planners and attorneys" have helped lobbyists find a way to "fill the social calendars" at both conventions.
Although Obama prides himself for raising lots of money in small donations from ordinary people, big donors remain the driving force behind both conventions. The Campaign Finance Institute's study says more than 170 corporations, unions and other organizations will put up more than $112 million to help bankroll both the Democratic and Republican conventions -- covering about 80 percent of the cost of the events.
Some parties are by invitation only and will be way too rich for your average delegate. Take the Black-Eyed Peas concert (featuring will.i.am) at Fillmore Auditorium. The main sponsor is Target stores, the event is to raise money for the Creative Coalition, a nonprofit political advocacy group of Hollywood actors and other entertainers. Other sponsorship packages for the event range from $10,000 to $100,000. Sorry, folks, no single tickets will be sold.
