Democratic convention aims to solidify party, spread Obama's message
9:11 a.m. Monday, August 25, 2008
Denver — Just hours away from the start of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, much of the action in Denver Sunday was outside the Pepsi Center where1,000 anti-war protesters filled the streets on their way to the capital. And there were more uninvited guests: a couple of dozen Republican National Convention staffers ready to crash the party.
"We invited ourselves," RNC Communications Director Danny Diaz said.
However, Democrats are keeping their eyes focused on the kick-off to the convention. Tonight's theme: One nation, for which they'll showcase the life story of their presumptive nominee, Barack Obama, and end with a speech by the woman who knows him best, his wife, Michelle.
"I am very excited about the convention. I can't wait to hear Michelle speak tomorrow," Obama said in Illinois Sunday.
Michelle's speech, along with those of other prominent players in the party, are designed to introduce Obama to the American people through his "American story."
"It really is the only time in the campaign, where you own a large portion of the time to convey what you want in the course of that campaign," ABC News Political Contributor Matthew Dowd said.
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It's also the time many Democrats say to put the Obama-Hillary Clinton primary drama firmly in the past. Sunday, the credentials committee chose to restore full voting rights to Michigan and Florida, a move clearly intended to mollify Clinton's supporters.
Today will also feature a video tribute to Sen Ted Kennedy, who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer.
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