MARILYN STRICKLAND: DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, AUG. 27, 10 A.M. >>>

Denver’s Pepsi Center was buzzing with anticipation last night. Monday, it was a full-on party with music and dancing. Tuesday, the tone was lively but serious. The media hype about division within the Democratic Party has been at full tilt. This election has been described as historic but not always for the right reasons. Two formidable candidates, a black man and a white woman, have been asked to do what their predecessors have not. Obama must combat ignorance and prove that he is a "God-fearing, regular family man" who is not to be feared. Hilary Clinton has been asked to demonstrate that she fully supports Obama's candidacy. When was the last time the second place finisher was required to stump so hard for the presumptive nominee?

Clinton took the stage in one of her signature pastel pantsuits. She received a 5-minute ovation in a sea of signs bearing her name. Each and every delegate gave her props. I had a lump in my throat imagining how she felt. My eyes were watery. This is a woman I loathed during the primary election, but while she stood on that stage, it confirmed what I always knew about her. Clinton is a warrior. She is brave and she is fierce.

I have always considered Clinton a mediocre speaker but she rocked it.  She quoted Harriet Tubman â€" the unapologetic, gun-toting Republican activist who helped slaves. "If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If they’re shouting after you, keep going. Don’t ever stop, keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going." This describes what the Obamas are facing and what Clinton has faced in her journey. It is an affirmation of party unity and the work that lies ahead for the Democrats.

Clinton supporters beamed with pride. I was right there with them. Delegates exchanged high-fives, hugs and kudos. Clinton delegate Linda Mitchell is the chair of the Washington State Women's Political Caucus. When asked about the rift between the Clinton and Obama camps she says that all interactions have been cordial. When asked if she'll vote for Obama in November, she replied, "Of course."

In two days, we've watched two smart, accomplished women take the world stage under intense scrutiny. Every word, every gesture, every inflection and every wardrobe choice was parsed under a microscope. They were asked to give what has been described as the most important speeches of their lives. Michelle Obama's task was to lay the foundation for a legacy. Hillary Clinton was tasked with preserving one. They were each a smashing success and made me proud to be a Democrat. Women do rule.

After two long days (and nights) of roundtables, general sessions and receptions, the attire at the 7 a.m. breakfast meetings becomes more casual. Folks who usually arrive neatly pressed and coiffed are now wearing T-shirts, shorts and flip-flops. Straightened hair is worn curly. Lots of ponytails and stubble. Who needs mascara to eat scrambled eggs?

Today is the day that we delegates will do the work we were elected to do. We will cast votes for our candidates. There will be nominating and seconding speeches on behalf of both Obama and Clinton. Each delegate will cast a vote and each state has a committee that will tally the results. There will be a roll call vote by state. I wish we could rearrange the alphabet, but Washington is at the tail end of this process.

Tonight we will honor our veterans and address foreign policy and national security. I've heard many speeches over the past two days and confess that most of it was background noise in anticipation of Ted Kennedy, Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton. Tonight, however, I look forward to most of the speechifying. We will hear from Congressman Robert Wexler of Florida, Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago, Lt. General Claudia Kennedy (the first female three star general in the U.S. Army), Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Governor Bill Richardson. We will also hear from John Kerry, Bill Clinton and Vice-Presidential nominee Joe Biden. I fully expect the big dogs to take on the opposition with some teeth. It's hammer time.

I wonder what's on the band's playlist tonight. I pray we are spared from “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins.

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: Weekly Volcano’s DNC preview