MARILYN STRICKLAND: DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, AUG. 28, 10 A.M. >>>

Here's how the story goes.  When Sen. Barack Obama was assembling his campaign team, he insisted on one thing:  No drama.   He made it clear that his bid for the White House would be an effort that is focused and steady.  He told his troops to stay on message and not to over-react to the ups and downs of a long campaign season.  This is how he planned to make history.  On Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008, Obama became the first African-American to lead a major political party.  It's official.  Typing those last two sentences gave me the chills.  Barack Obama and I were toddlers when the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964.  He's on the verge of becoming our next president.

Our state delegation was told to arrive early at the Pepsi Center yesterday. Most of us were anxious to cast our votes, asking for the ballots.  We were giddy. The roll call couldn't start soon enough. Some delegates took photos of their signed ballots.  Gov. Gregoire, an Obama supporter, signed her ballot and pumped her fist in the air.  We cheered.  The roll call started with Alabama, one of the reddest of the red states.  They cast 48 votes for Obama and five for Clinton.  This set the tone.  As we moved toward the middle of the alphabet, some of us noticed a lot of secret service congregating on the floor.  Hillary Clinton emerged and moved to suspend the roll call to declare Obama the Democratic nominee by acclimation.  She managed to make me cry two days in a row. 

Love him or hate him, Bill Clinton is one of our greatest political talents ever.  He took the stage to a flag waving screaming crowd and couldn't stop smiling.  Some people are meant to be in the spotlight. Clinton is one of them. He wholeheartedly endorsed Obama, and made sharp contrasts between the two parties.  The big dog delivered and then some.

John Kerry gave what I consider the best speech of his career.  He was impassioned, factual, funny and smart.  The man was on fire and he made a compelling case for what is at stake in this election.  I hear that the networks cut away to the pundits and didn't broadcast Kerry's speech.  If true, that is a shame. Kerry gave my favorite speech of the convention so far.

If America fell in love with the Obamas on Monday night, they are in deep like with the Bidens.  Joe Biden was officially nominated at the Vice-Presidential candidate.   He was then introduced by his son who is soon leaving for Iraq. He touched on campaign issues but spent more time talking about his family, his background and values.  After his speech, he said there was a special guest in the house.  Obama joined Biden on stage and the crowd went crazy.  Now I know why I received a text message saying that the building was on lockdown.

This morning at breakfast, the state party chair described tonight's general session as "The DNC meets Woodstock."  More than 70,000 people will swarm Invesco Field at Mile High to hear Obama's acceptance speech.  Tonight's speakers include Gov. Bill Richardson who was bumped from last night's schedule, and Al Gore.  Delegates will sit on the field.  It will be 82 degrees today and we are encouraged to dress casually, bring sunscreen and drink plenty of water.  Actress Jennifer Hudson will perform the national anthem.  I love the DNC house band but Stevie Wonder is scheduled to take the stage tonight.  Rumor has it that Springsteen might show up.  I'm physically and emotionally exhausted, but I can't wait for tonight's general session.

Tacoma City Council member Marilyn Strickland is blogging the Democratic National Convention for the Weekly Volcano. She is an Obama delegate.

LINK: Democratic National Convention
LINK: Tacoma at the DNC