What makes this Convention so dynamic is the cast of characters coming out to support, agitate and take part in the energy of the Obama wave. Larry R. Rogers Jr., one of three Cook County Commissioner in Illinois, expressed excitement about supporting Barack Obama. Obama’s a fresh face on the political scene and Commissioner Rogers feels hopeful that so many people are galvanizing around him. “We need a lot of change,” he said when referring to U.S. politics. He also felt that technology was part of that new political direction and that the mainstream media has to contend with the bloggers because so many people are online these days, with young people of all races and ethnicities leading the way.

This convention is bringing people together. Die-hard Clinton supporters are facing the reality that it’s time to let go and support Obama in order to unite the Democratic Party. Loretta Barbee-Dare, a delegate from the 17th Congressional District in Pennsylvania, said that she was concerned about how party dynamics would play out here between Obama and Clinton supporters in Denver. However, she wants to be part of uniting the Democratic Party, because a lingering split will elect McCain. But she says that she has seen a unification of the Democratic Party and feels that McCain won’t stand a chance against a united party following the Convention.

Ms. Barbee-Dare won the delegate election with 35,000 votes in 2006. “I ran because I wanted to represent people in my district who, in my opinion, didn’t have a voice.” The 17th District, which she represents, is predominantly working class and covers five counties. In fact, Dauphin County, which had been a Republican county since the Civil War turned overwhelmingly blue in the Democratic primary last April. Even what were once GOP strongholds in Pennsylvania are ready for change.

On June 3rd Ms. Barbee-Dare went to the state delegation committee and was told by Democaratic Party officials that all delegates had to raise the ,000 themselves in order to attend the convention. Obviously this limits the participation of working class individuals elected to attend and why we are seeing so many wealthy delegates out here at the convention. Ms. Barbee-Dare didn’t let that keep her from the convention, she went back to her community determined to come to this historic convention. With the help of community members she raised the ,000 through chicken dinner sales, flea markets and selling buttons. She raised the money to go through grassroots fundraising and tells the story of her community based effort anytime she tips a worker here in Denver.

Ms. Bardee-Dare has used this opportunity to organize her community and to keep them involved, “ I’m trying to keep my community in touch with what’s goin’ on, cause that’s why I’m here.”

From grassroots organizers and local elected officials to Policy experts—the Convention is marking a historical moment. Katherine Grangier. Policy Director of NY NARAL, and her mother Jo Anne Grangier of Denver are attending the convention together. Mother and daughter were excited to take part in this event together. They had just come from a “moving” Emily’s List reception. She expressed excitement about being part of this historic moment, “ I never thought this would happen in my lifetime, [maybe] in my daughters for sure, but not in my lifetime.”

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