Yes We Can, Yes We Did

Although I don't like to post political insights and views here, I simply can't deny the level of power and growth I felt today for the 2009 Presidential Inauguration with Obama as our 44th President. I caucused first in the nation for the Iowa Primaries, worked at the Democratic National Convention, heard one of his last rally's in Denver before the election, then of course voted. Clearly, personally my interest was invested in his campaign.

With that being said, I think the pictures say enough. What a monumental day in history...



Photo Credit: Times Online

"CHANGE"

Change: First of all, I wanted to note the change in my blog design. The new logo art is by one of my favorite designers, Mateu. It provides fresh perspective heading into the Colorado winter season.

Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain News, Matt McClain

Second, this morning I took the opportunity to hear Obama speak one last time (live) before before the November 4th election. The rally was held in Denver's Civic Center Park, under a blue sky and fresh crisp air with 100,000+ supporters. Talk about inspirational. The event almost equaled the surge of power that I experienced at Invesco in August when he accepted his nomination to run for President. For me, it wasn't so much about what was being said, if you pay attention at all to this election-debates, speeches, or the media the facts are known. It was more about the collective attention and consciousness of everyone there. From a statistics perspective for Colorado, Rocky Mountain News/CBS 4's poll published that Obama had a 12-point lead in a survey of 500 registered voters.

Check out the pictures and videos below. It might give scope to how many people were there and the exuberant energy everyone possessed. For more rally pictures check out my Flickr stream here. Watch for this first video as Obama steps onto stage and the cheering begins...

My friend Denise and I making our way through the massive crowd

Vote For Hope

As a fan of hip hop, music and of course liberating politics (i.e. Obama) check out this awesome music video Obama '08 - Vote For Hope from MC Yogi on Vimeo. Share the love...


Obama '08 - Vote For Hope from MC Yogi on Vimeo.

Obama's Acceptance Speech

On Thursday, August 28th at 11:00 AM, I began to head through the many security checkpoints, picked up my credentials as a vendor, and began the walking path to Invesco as no one could park within miles of the site. As a vendor I wasn't able to bring a camera and I had to remain professional during my work, but I still had an amazing, first-hand account of this historical event. The following is what I saw, found, and heard...
Barack Obama didn't go on until 8:00 PM that evening, but I had a long day of preparation and attending to the VIP Suites at Invesco field. There are 131 private luxury suites, at Invesco that overlook the field and fill about 14-20 people. For this convention they were granted to big donors, party officials, and celebrities. The Denver Post stated that "corporations such as Xcel Energy and MolsonCoors, which have donated more than $1 million to the Denver committee hosting the convention," were granted access to the suites. I was a Suite Attendant, which meant I did everything and anything for the guests. Included in my wing of 17 suites was Senator Joe Biden's family, and Vermont Governor Howard Dean and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (whom I actually watched Obama's speech live with in their suite, ILOVERMONT!)

Celebrity sightings and chats included:
Kanye West
Black Eyed Peas
Actor Kal Penn ('Kumar' and in Van Wylder)
Jimmy Carter
Mary J. Blige
Star Jones (The View)
Hillary and Bill Clinton
And my personal favorite, Oprah Winfrey!

As the time neared for Obama to speak, the crowd was hushed. They knew what was coming, and the mile-long lines, security, and hot sun didn't seem to matter anymore. Triumphantly, as he was introduced Obama strode out to the podium, facing the estimated 80,000 Invesco viewers, while an additional 38 million viewers tuned in. This Washington Post article noted, his speech was the most watched convention speech, ever. Live at Invesco, everyone was drawn to cries of happiness, as they chanted "Yes we can! Yes we can!" Watching from the suite above, my view was beautiful. Thousands of American flags were waving in the air, lights flashing, and goosebumps rose up my arms as a feeling of pride and hope washed over me.

Obama humbly accepted his nomination by stating: "To Chairman Dean and my great friend Dick Durbin, and to all my fellow citizens of this great nation, with profound gratitude and great humility, I accept your nomination for presidency of the United States." And the crowd that outdid Kennedy's acceptance speech in 1960, in Los Angeles, went wild.
Obama said that "the greatest risk America could take," would be to continue the politics of the past eight years by voting Republican once more, an echo of former running mate, Hillary Clinton. He declared, “We need a President who can face the threats of the future, not keep grasping at the ideas of the past.”

I felt the real feeling of history, breathing before me, through Obama. He promised to "end US dependence on Middle East oil, focus on renewable energy, 'take out' Osama bin Laden, tax cuts for 95% of US families, world-class education for every child, and affordable health care for every Ameican." These promises were chilling, infused with idealism, pertinent details, and hope.

I feel blessed and lucky to have seen this live. Even after 12 hours of moving on my feet without food, I was running on pure adrenaline and the wave of power at Invesco, delivered through the American people and Barack Obama, himself.

Now is the time. Yes we can, yes we can.