Thanks to the News-Herald Readers

I left home last Sunday morning.  What a week!  The pace was not for sissies.  Thanks to those who selected me as a delegate back in April, and to all of the Democratic candidates and incumbents.  I appreciated the opportunity to "blog" for the News-Herald & I've acquired a few new computer skills in this information age.

Fired Up & Ready to Go!
Sue Brannan

President Obama Accepts the Nomination

Most of us planned to arrive early at Time-Warner in order to get a good seat.  It rained, actually poured, daily every afternoon.  Security did not allow umbrellas into the convention hall so I carried my balled up foul weather jacket with me.  At last, the final night began.

Gabby Douglas led us in the Pledge of Allegiance & Marc Anthony sang The Star Spangled Banner.  James Taylor, Mary Jane Blige, the Foo Fighters (lead singer from Warren, OH), entertained.  Scarlett Johansson, Caroline Kennedy, Eva Longoria, Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, Former FL Republican  Gov. Charlie Crist, to mention a few dignitaries all delivered moving remarks.

Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois introduced President Obama.  Since this is being posted three days later, you have heard, read, etc. reviews.  I can add that the President spoke sincerely, as one who has had terrific responsibilities since Jan. 20, 2009.  The economy was in free fall, losing hundreds of jobs monthly.  Terrorism & national security was and is of major concern - always.  Add social issues and those participating in the political process have a full plate, especially the President & Vice President.

We are facing an important choice in this election.  Are we to build an economy meant to last?  Will the economy restore the middle class by investing in education, alternative energy, innovation, & infrastructure?  Will this be an economy from Wall Street to Main Street where everyone plays by the same rules & pays his/her fair share?  Or, will we return to the failed economic policies of the past?  This past has been built on outsourcing,  unregulated  risky financial deals, & the lowest tax rates for the millionaires in history.

There's a saying that "OHIO chooses Presidents."  Together, we can re-elect President Obama.  We can strengthen the middle class, protect voting rights, & keep Ohio & our nation moving forward.

The Nomination

OHIO's votes, thanks to Mississippi, nominated President Obama for his 2nd term during the Roll Call vote late on Wednesday evening.

 

 



 

 

 

President Clinton - We Are All in This Together

It's impossible to improve on the rave reviews this speech has received.  President Clinton offered a point by point rebuttal of all Republican charges:

In the last 52 years, Republicans have held the Executive Branch 28 years, the Democrats for 24 years.  Of the 66 million private sector jobs created in this period, 24 million were created by the Republicans, 42 million by Democrats.  This is the Job Score!  Clearly, the Democrats are the Prosperity Party.

At the present time more than 3 million jobs are open and unfilled.  Is this the time to cut funding for training & a variety of educational programs?

You really need to watch this speech on line.  Education, Welfare Reform, Women's Rights, Student Debt, Health Care, Taxes, Regulation, GLBT, Defense, Energy. . . . and so forth were put into perspective by Bill Clinton, Teacher-in-Chief.

What kind of country do we want?  I, personally, don't want the "winner take all, you are on your own."  I'm betting on the inclusive 21st century American Dream of shared responsibilities & opportunities. 

Pictures

This is Ruby Gilliam, age 90, from Minerva, Ohio.  She has attended 7 conventions and is the Carroll County Democratic Party Chair.  Also, she is a very nice person.  I stood in a buffet line with her on Labor Day.  Ruby is most proud of President Obama's humanitarianism, his compassion, respect for others, & leadership especially for the middle class.  "I heard someone say this recently, talking about 'Obamacare':  sure, Obama cares - he cares for everyone! I love that."

Mrs. Frances Strickland enthusiastically watched former Governor Ted Strickland as he spoke on the national stage at the DNC.

 


Elaine Brye introduced Michelle Obama on Tuesday evening.  Elaine & her husband, Courtney, an Air Force Pilot who served in the Vietnam War have 5 children, ages 29 - 22.  Four currently serve in 4 different branches of the U.S. military.  Elaine, also a veteran who served for 2 years in Air Force ROTC, had written a letter to Mrs. Obama thanking her for her focus on military families.  The Brye family hails from Winona, in Columbiana County, OH.

Breakfast - Wednesday, 9/5/12 Facts Matter

It's day #3, 7:30 a.m.  We, delegates, know the drill.  The breakfasts have been tasty & healthy:  juice, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage links, pastries, fruit, & coffee.  While we enjoy breakfast. . . there are more speakers.  Just when I'm all "speeched out" Senator Sherrod Brown steps to the podium.  Now, I'm paying attention while this very hard-working legislator lists virtually every Ohio town/city that has workers involved in the auto industry.  Sen. Brown spoke of the Chevy Cruze (engine block - Defiance;  transmission from Toledo; aluminum wheels on the Cruze Eco - Alcoa in Cleveland).  Lordstown is the assembly plant location.  The above is a partial list but one understands the importance of the Auto Bailout that saved 1.1 million jobs nationwide.  Ohio has an unemployment rate 1% below the national average & Lake County is at 6.2%.

This picture of Senator Brown, his wife, Connie Schultz (Pulitzer Prize winning former P.D. columnist), & daughter, Jenn Brown, was taken at the Convention.

Small Business Caucus

Small businesses provide two out of every three American jobs.  I did not have the opportunity to attend this caucus but Diana Nazelli, also a 14th CD delegate, provided the following synopsis:
- The SBA has been elevated to a Cabinet level position under the Obama Administration.
- The Affordable Health Care Act contains a provison which allows small businesses subsidies for employee health care.
- $100 billion in loans has been made available by this administration to small businesses.
- "Insourcing" is a new term.
- www.smallbusinessmajority.org This website is a forum for business owners.  Ideas can be shared.  Helpful legislation can be promoted.
- Small Business taxes have been cut 18 times.
- Pages of forms have been eliminated.
- To improve cash flow, certain contracts have to be paid in 15 days, not 30.

The Convention Opening Night - Tuesday, 9/4/2012

Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz called the 2012 Democratic National Convention to order.  WOW!  is the only word to describe every speaker who inspired, moved, touched, & pulled our heart strings.  If you watched the coverage you know!  Finally, the First Lady and First Mom-in-Chief, Michelle Obama addressed us.  She was absolutely stunning in appearance, her words magnificent!

The OHIO Delegation adjourned to the Fox & Hounds for refreshments which are provided by various delegation sponsors.  Bus # 7 returned us to the Hilton about 1:30 a.m.

I have pics to post but no time to include them now.  I'm off to Uptown.   

Breakfast Meeting - Tuesday, 9/4/12

New credentials are dispersed daily at the breakfast meeting.  The speaker line up this a.m. was truly a treat.  Beginning with Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, continuing with the Minority Leader of the Ohio Senate, Eric Kearney and Ohio House Minority Leader, Armond Budish I've never been more proud to be part of this political process.  Many Ohio elected officials were introduced.  The Honorable John Gilligan introduced his sister, Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services whose remarks centered on the Ryan Budget.  Ashley Judd, a TN delegate, emphasized the importance of accurate sex education programs & the availability of preventative birth control methods. It would be a good thing if abortion became obsolete.  Senator Nina Turner's very enthusiastic performance had us on our feet!  She referred to all that our President has "Tried".  Had he been an athlete, he'd be an MVP.  Had he been a CEO, he's have received a bonus.  The other guy. . . "he's a wanna be, who's lyin'. . .    

DNC Faith Council Meeting - Monday afternoon

 

Leaders of all faiths expressed virtually identical views of moral outrage.  I would like to list all of the speakers but unfortunately their properly spelled names escape me.  A Rabbi from VA expressed his opinion that hunger, homelessness, & poverty have traditionally been focuses of people of faith.  Now, abortion, seems to be the only issue of concern.   A Baptist spoke of the attempts of state legislatures to suppress voting in 30 of the 50 states.  This country has "been built" on the backs of the immigrant minorities who have expected to participate in the American Dream by voting.  An Evangelical Christian, raised in WV & head of the Young Democrats of America, was beginning a new job for the Faith & Policy Think Tank in Washington, D.C. on 9/11/01.  He realized that his "faith is an integral part of who he is".  He looked to religion to heal our nation's wounds.  And, he found a home in the Democratic Party which has policies to heal immigration inequities, the absence of  health care for all, equal pay for women, & an unjust war in Iraq. A Catholic said, "Charity is no substitute for justice not served."  And, the Deputy Director of Operation Vote who began preaching at a very young age reminded us that "in 2008, we changed the guard.  In 2012 we must guard the change."  A few of the changes we guard:  Lilly Ledbetter Act - equal pay for women, Iraq War - ended, Pell Grant availability, health care coverage up to age 26 on family policy, auto industry - alive, & Osama Bin Laden - dead.

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, also the DNC Chair, echoed the above.  We inclusive Democrats who celebrate diversity will watch President Barack Obama's back.  We will bring Barack Obama across the finish line!  2008 was Historic, 2012 is Personal.        

Monday, September 3, 2012 - Labor Day

Bill DeMora, the President/CEO of the 2012 Ohio Celebration Committee & Chris Redfern, the ODP Chairman,  welcomed all of us at our breakfast meeting at the Oasis Shriners Lodge.  Below, in this photo are Lana Moresky, Obama National Finance Committee Member & Diana Nazelli, 14th Congressional District Delegate.

We were treated to a "Salute to Labor".  Governor Martin O'Malley from Maryland spoke.  Bill Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO Chairman, summarized the history of the labor movement.  He mentioned labor leaders such as the founder of the AFL Samuel Gompers, the mining strikes, Pullman Strike, etc.  Who Built It?  No doubt about it . . .   LABOR.

Other memorable speakers included Dennis Lieberman & Tom Ritchie, the two Democrats on the Montgomery County Board of Elections who were fired by Secretary of State Jon Husted.  An interesting fact is that Jon Husted & Kevin DeWine, during the 2005-2006 Legislative Session passed the Early Vote Bill.
 
Lee Saunders, President of AFSCME, reminded us that "We are all in this together, not you are on your own!"  He resurrected the increasingly popular empty chair.  Neither Gov. Romney nor Rep. Ryan had anything at all to say at all about economic or social justice.  Thus, concluded the morning session.

Arriving in Charlotte

The Ohio Delegation is staying at the Hilton Charlotte University Place or at the Drury Inn & Suites which is across the W. T. Harris Blvd.  Both hotels are located about 12 miles NE of downtown Charlotte which is known as Uptown.  It is in Uptown that we attend caucus, council, & other meetings mainly at the Charlotte Convention Center.  The televised convention activities will be from the Time Warner Cable Arena (home of the NBA's Bobcats & Checkers of the American Hockey League) & weather permitting the Bank of America Stadium (home of the NFL's Carolina Panthers).  Charlotte, the 2nd most important financial center in the US, next to NYC is known for its beauty & friendliness.  After checking in & picking up my Sunday evening credentials, it's been wonderfully overwhelming! 

Looking forward to Charlotte!

Hello News Herald Readers!

 The 2012 Democratic National Convention will be held in Charlotte, NC.  Many folks are already in attendance preparing for this exciting exercise in democracy where we nominate President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden for a second term.  Beginning tomorrow, Sunday, 9/2, candidates, their staffs, more reporters, delegates, & guests will arrive for evening events.

Last January I applied to be a delegate & was honored to be selected in April by the 14th Congressional District Caucus along with Tom Stone & returning delegates Diana Nazelli & Kevin Malecek.  I'm really looking forward to participating in convention activities.

Organizing for America opened our office in Mentor in the spring.  Ohio Field Organizers have lined up volunteers who contact voters by phone or hand out literature about key issues.  Four of us canvassed earlier today in Painesville.  You can "feel" our enthusiasm for our President, Senator Sherrod Brown, & other Democratic candidates.  Just look at our smiles, stickers, & pins!

I'm driving to Charlotte, leaving by 6:00 a.m.  Others are traveling by bus, organized by the Ohio Democratic Party (ODP), or by plane.  I do not want to miss a second of this historical experience.  Please log back in for future posts.