Some thoughts about the past 5 days….For me this convention was not about the speeches, although many of them were outstanding. It was about the overall experience and the people involved. It was about the crazy hats, the competition to see who could wear the most buttons, the seniors, some in their 90's and the children. It was about the personal stories of courage and inspiration, like Gabby Giffords on stage and the many persons with disabilities that found a way to participate in all of the activities. I made so many new friends, dedicated delegates from all over the country.
I learned some valuable lessons. Always expect the unexpected. Things like protestors blocking the roads so the busses could not transport the delegates to and from hotels and events. I learned I could exist on 3 days of burnt, fried and expensive food at the arena. I found I could survive on 4 hours sleep a night for 5 days and still walk 8 blocks or so each day. I mainly discovered I am technically handicapped, being of the generation who still use pencil and paper for communication. I will never again text without my glasses and my arthritic hands may never recover. I am also my own worst proof reader.
I'll leave the analysis and rhetoric to the politicians. I can only report was this was one of the best experiences of my life. Cross this one off the bucket list.
Now that I am home, I am ready to work hard for the next 60+ days to re-elect the finest President I can remember (that is a long time). But I also know the importance of electing George Badey, candidate for Congress representing the7th district, because without the support of dedicated Congressional members who are willing to fight for middle class rights like healthcare and social security, Barack Obama cannot complete the job we will re-elect him to do. We do not want voucher care. We know Obamacares. Please volunteer at the Media Obama for America office at 340 Baltimore Ave. Media and please support all of our outstanding Democratic candidates this November 7.
I thank all of the Democratic voters in the 7th Congressional District for giving me this opportunity to represent you in Charlotte and the Delco Times for allowing me to share this with you.

Another 2 am night. I will post more tomorrow. Seeing Gabby Giffords brought me to tears. What a courageous woman. Jennifer Grandholm had the best line of the night. She said when Mitt Romney got an elevator for his car we got the shaft.
VP Biden was at his absolute best and the President brought the house to a fever pitch. Pretty amazing night. Early flight tomorrow so I will post a summary of my experience tomorrow afternoon.

Due to technical difficulties (circuit overload...computer, not my brain) I could not post last night. Yesterday started again with a Pennsylvania delegate breakfast meeting. Speakers addressed Pa issues, particularly voter ID and provided us with plenty of information to carry back to our home district voters.
Went to the Time Warner Cable Arena at 5 PM and secured isle seats to have a good view of all of spectacular line-up of speakers. Crowd loved Sandra Fluke and Elizabeth Warren. Of course, President Bill Clinton was the star and ignited the crowd when he said he said, they asked me how I managed a surplus budget 4 years in a row, I answered with one word ARITHMETIC.
At the end of the speech, President Obama came on stage with President Clinton to thunderous applause and shouts of Four More Years. This was one of the moments of this convention I will keep with me forever.
Afterwards, we attended the Mid-Atlantic States Reception at the beautiful Discovery Place Museum in Uptown Charlotte.
There I chatted with 2 of our Delco State Representatives, Thaddeus Kirkland and Margo Davidson
One more sleepless night ahead but well worth it. Can't wait to hear President Obama speak tonight. Hope I can comment live

Just need to take a minute to thank the city of Charlotte for it's hospitality. The hotel staff, the convention employees, the thousands of volunteers and especially law enforcement have been extremely helpful and courteous. A police officer even hailed a taxi for me yesterday in the rain. They certainly have had and will continue to have challenges but have met and exceeded my expectations. Thank you Charlotte. Now off to the Time Warner Cable Arena for another awe inspiring night.

Just announced...The President's nomination acceptance event scheduled for The Bank of America Stadium has now been moved to the Time Warner Cable Arena due to the threat of severe weather.
This could present a problem the thousands of people who planned to attend the event. The NC weather may soak us to the bone but it will never dampen our spirit for President Obama and Vice-President Biden. FORWARD..FOUR MORE YEARS

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/post/obamas-democratic-national-convention-speech-moved-indoors-due-to-thunderstorm-thre

As you can see, the time on this post is after 1 am on Wednesday morning. This was an extremely long but inspiring day. The day started with a breakfast meeting at 8 am hosted by PPL. State Chairman Jim Burn introduced Senator Bob Casey who spoke about how the Romney/Ryan plan would adversely affect senior citizens. Also speaking on important Pa. issues were Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, State treasurer Rob McCord, Kirk Adams, executive director for SEIU, Pennsylvania Attorney General candidate, Kathleen Kane, and finishing up with DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Shultz.
Next stop was the We the Women Luncheon at an uptown Charlotte restaurant hosted by Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz… excellent food…good speakers. Then, because protesters were blocking traffic the hotel busses were unable to transport us back to our hotels, 10 miles outside the city. Taxis were in short supply so it took a couple of hours to return to our rooms to prepare for the evening. Again transportation problems prevented us from returning to the Time Warner Cable Arena on time and when we did reach the city, security prevented all forms of transportation from getting within 2 blocks of the venue.
Did I mention the torrential down pour? By the time I entered the arena I was completely soaked.I missed the official opening but the electric atmosphere quickly dried me off and the of speakers were so moving, several reduced me to tears. Like the woman whose infant daughter needed several heart surgeries and would have reached her lifetime limit on health care coverage by age 6 months. Now, thanks to the Affordable Health Care Act, she can now concentrate on her daughter's health not her healthcare insurance. The keynote speaker, Julian Castro, mayor of San Antonio, Texas was introduced by his twin brother, State Representative, Jauquin Castro, who told of how they were able to take advantage of "oportunidad" and get an education to improve their quality of life. And of course, First Lady Michelle Obama brought the crowd to their feet chanting "four more years".
Long as this day was, I will be happy to repeat it over again tomorrow…maybe not the rain part…but all of the exhilaration and pride I felt tonight being part of the Democratic Party. Tomorrow is another day to move FORWARD.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry