Tuesday, August 26, 2008

More of the Same

Briaan Schweitzer of Montana just laid out the carpet for Hillary Clinton's keynote speech - as he laid out some of the contrasting status quo policies of McCain.

The energy of the Hall is rock star like. The screams are going to be deafening - especially from her army of women.

The Dynamics of a Merger

It is about 9pm EST and the buzz is all about Hillary. The Convention hall is filling up. Tonight is different. You can tell the scores of Hillary supporters due to the visible Hillary paraphrenalia being worn. This night will be significant as it will determine the direction of the soul of the party. There is an anticipatory feel in the Hall. Will there be a seemless merger of emotional affinities? I will return back to Hillary in a jiffy.

Last night, I witnessed the Carnivalizing of Denver courtesy of the talent of Wyclef Jean. Wyclef Jean co-host an after party with Bizmarkie at a Denver downtown club. Wyclef demonstrated the musical dexterity of a magician. He warmed the crowd up with a medley of Bob Marley standard and built a energizing mood with the spectrum of Caribbean melodies. He had the audience nibbling out of the palm of his hands. He stopped mid-lyric and reminded the audience that he was from Haiti. He questioned the audience whether they were ready for a new president. In his usual Brooklyn Haitian cadence he incited a near electoral riot. Shirts were swirling, campaign signs were waving, and bacchanal smiles filled the room. The fire marshalls stood by nervously as Wyclef stood on one of the speaker and created bedlam as he instructed "tear the club down" tear McCain down". They smiled and shook their heads. He closed the club down with a congaline into the streets. He basically shut it down.

Now back to Hillary after that short station break. The primary question tonight will be whether Hillary could take the emotional equity of her supporters and transport them towards the best interests of the party and the nation. It will not be easy. They are vested in her.

Stay tune for the feedback.

The Dynamics of a Merger

Hillary takes the stage tonight. The Democratic world will pause to dissect every word and body language. Will she able to move the party towards unity. Stay tuned for the live feedback.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Michelle O!

Michelle OBAMA!

Wow.

Now - this is what it is all about.

Love. Family. Values.

Michelle has told her story in a manner that brings you right into her living room.

The Convention has gotten on the right tone that reflects Barack's personality. Looking forward to the crescendo.

The Heart of the Party

Teddy Kennedy just took the stage and the Convention has erupted. Lots of glassy eyes in the house.

He is the official heart of the party. He has taken on the challenge of brain cancer and has returned to the Convention to give the faithful an emotional lift.

The energy is building.

I hope you can feel it through the screen.

This party is motivated. And this energy will take them to victory in November.

Pure excitement!

I am blogging LIVE from the Pepsi Center - 8pm EST - and the energy here is building. People are smiling and the anticipation is in explicable. America is rich with colorful faces, personalities, and unbounded energy as reflected through this Convention.

I am not on the floor tonight with the Florida which located to the front left of the stage in their Florida theme colors. They are a rowdy beach bunch. They went crazy when the Credentials Committee had restored their full delegation vote. Pure drama. Florida takes the cake.

Tonight's theme is all about the American Story - our story - Barack Obama's story. It is important night for us to reflect on our own story and how we evoke our own experience and need for CHANGE.

The Pepsi Center is buzzing with over 1400 media outlets from all ove the world. The Olympics are over and people are salivating for some substitute excitement.

I am looking forward to Michelle setting the record straight tonight and talking about her love story with Barack. It is American Story - our story.

This is our moment as One Nation.

Pure excitement.

You can view a spontaneous You Tube interview at YouTube.com/2008conventions - search Marlon Hill

Until the next,

Obamanos!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Change is Ah Coming

The smoke is visible from Illinois capital and a Vice President has been chosen. This is an Olympic relay and we are in the final leg. We must finish the race to win Gold. I should have some insight ---- I was born in the world's fastest nation.

I arrived in the Mile High City today and went to work immediately as a member of the Rules Committee. There, the primary issue on the agenda was to decide on how to address the issue of timing of primaries and caucus and the influence of "super-delegates" on the nomination process. The Committee adopted a resolution to establish a Democratic Change Commission to address all issues systematically. You may view all documents, deliberations, and speeches at www.demconvention.com. Tune in.

Being here is surreal for me, the son and grandson of a hard working immigrant family from a country ( Jamaica ) that is accustomed to making the world out of very little. I travel to Denver with the voice and dreams of many others who are in pursuit of their slice of American life in my luggage. It dawned on me that this party nomination process is serious business. It is confirmed that the same folks who fight for CHANGE internally within the Democratic Party - also fight against CHANGE of the status quo from new forces. It is also resonated to me that we are dead set in the eye of a storm that has squarely to do with the distribution of POWER among stakeholders within the party and ultimately for the Oval Office.

We play a vital role in the equitable (if this is even possible) distribution of power in the best interests of the common good. You certainly cannot stand by and watch this happen from your verandah. For the next 73 days, you will watch TV ads, read newspaper Op-eds, view presidential debates, and the like -- all with the effort to help you make a personal decision for your own well-being and that of your family. You have the power in your vote.

Over the next few days, I will be reporting on my personal experience directly from the floor of the Convention floor at http://marlonhill.blogspot.com Join me in the experience.

Monday - Keynote - Michelle Obama
Tuesday - Sen. Hillary Clinton
Wednesday - Sen. Joe Biden
Thursday - Sen. Barack Obama acceptance speech.

Together, we will be part of the CHANGE we want and NOT part of the CHANGE that passes you by in the dead of the night. Thank you for being there from Day one or even yesterday.

Let's go for the Gold! Join us at www.barackobama.com --- Obama/Biden '08