2012 Democratic National Convention

I have just gotten back from my hotel in Charlotte, NC as being a part of the Tennessee delegation at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.  I wish I could articulate everything that I have experienced this past week.  I made a post earlier today, prior to President Obama's speech, on Facebook that kindly sums up the week that I have had.

Today's my last full day in Charlotte and I wanted to reflect briefly on how amazing this experience has been. While here I have had the opportunity to not just see democrats come together, but Americans come together and work towards something positive. 

Everyone has been nice. The volunteers have been 

wonderful, cordial and knowledgeable. Folks here that are complete strangers have not only embraced me, but everyone here no matter what they look like, where they are from, what color their skin is, what religion they practice, or who they love.

Folks helping everyone with disabilities no matter if they know them or not. Everyone is embraced, and I am so proud to say that THAT is the America I live in. I am so incredibly honored and humbled, and look forward to what the rest of the day has in store.

Thank you for this opportunity Tennessee.

I want to elaborate a little more from everything tonight.  First of all, I want to share this accompanying picture.

I took this just before we the Democratic delegation from Tennessee got to cast our votes for President Barack Obama late Wednesday, September 5th, 2012.  I wish I could convey to those that do read this blog just how inspiring, enlightening, and educational that this trip to Charlotte has been this week.  While, I was not a full delegate for Tennessee, I was an alternate delegate.  I did get to partake in just about everything, and per the suggestion of a friend, Will that was part of the delegation in 2008, I did make it to the floor just before we cast our vote, and took this picture above.  The smart, articulate, talented, and beautiful author, advocate, self-proclaimed feminist, and actress Ashley Judd represented the state of Tennessee during our roll call during the Convention.  

via msnbc

After this week I could not describe any further the incredible high that I am on.  My aforementioned comments on this week basically sums my feelings up.  I could go further and discuss how inspiring Thursday night at the convention was.  Senator John Kerry gave one heck of a speech.    Had that speech come out eight years ago he might have won office that year and we might not be have been in as bad of a situation as we were in prior to President Obama taking office.  Vice President Joe Biden killed it.  I feel that I can speak on behalf of the delegation that represented the state of Tennessee when I say that we concur with what our President said to us tonight.  Thank you again to my county, Carroll, our state, our state party, the TNDP, and to the United States of America for giving me this opportunity to be inside Time Warner Arena in state of North Carolina tonight.  This was exactly what I needed!!!

And on the record, the infamous question of the RNC was, "are you better now than you were four years ago?"  I can speak confidently and securely that myself and my family ARE much better off now than we were four years ago!!!!

Oh, and one more thing.  God bless the United State of America!

Tennessee delegates & the at-large delegates next week!

I want to say that I was humbled, honored, and enlightened at the 8th Congressional District Delegate Convention today in Milan.  I am proud to announce that I was elected as the alternate delegate today, and would like to congratulate the other three delegates: Nicolle Crist (Weakley), Angela Callis (Weakley) & Najonna Coleman (Gibson).  It was truly an honor to be elected among you three.

There were three other candidates that ran today that did outstanding and I was thoroughly impressed with all of them.  LaTarsha Hanna-Huff of Madison County, Shalanza Hawkins of Haywood County, and Kayla Porter of Stewart County.  I want to go on the record and say that all seven of us deserve to go to Charlotte in September!  I hope that the three of you move on to the at-large delegate selection next week in Nashville.  I would proudly lobby for any one of you!

With that in mind, I want to informally lobby for any of the previously mentioned women to anyone in this state that has the ability to cast a vote next weekend.  These women would be outstanding representations of Tennessee, especially West Tennessee.  They have all contributed significantly to the Democratic Party from the local to the national levels.  They are well-spoken, dedicated, and I personally would love to have each one of them in Charlotte with me and the rest of the Tennessee delegation.  So, if you read this blog, and you can share this with anyone that can make this happen for any of these women please help me!  Let's get them to Charlotte!!!

Again, thank you to everyone from all the counties that were a part of the convention today.  Today was a dream come true.  A whirlwind for sure.  Something that I will never forget.  Thank you for being a part of it, and, most importantly, for giving me the chance to go to Charlotte.

One more side note, congratulations to the three men from the 8th District that were elected today: Gus Radford (Carroll), Chas Uffelman (Houston), & Jim Midgett (Madison).  I look forward to seeing you all again next weekend!