What a Berks County man helped start only a little more than three years ago has now grown into an Internet powerhouse for presidential politics. Twin Valley High School grad Chad Hurley's YouTube has a unique presence here at the Democratic National Convention. It's giving visitors the opportunity to record video messages to Barack Obama. The YouTube will also be set up at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota next week.
August 28, 2008
Biden signs Berks banner
Much to the delight of the Democratic delegates from Berks County, vice presidential nominee Joe Biden added his signature to the hundreds of others on the Berks for Obama banner this morning. Berks Democratic chair Tom Herman and delegates Eileen Prussman and Cynthia Baughman looked on. Governor Ed Rendell signed his name yesterday. 
The banner has been on display at the delegates' breakfast each morning of the convention here in Denver. Rendell also presented Biden with a PA delegate button designed by artist Kathi Ember of Kutztown. The buttons are being sold at the convention to raise money for the delegates' expenses.
Ready to party
Barack Obama supporters in Berks County and the Lehigh Valley will be joining their counterparts here in Denver tonight in watching him accept the Democrats' nomination for president. There are convention-watching parties planned for around the region, including Allentown, Bethlehem, Kutztown, and Reading. Obama will take the stage in front of more than 75,000 people packed into INVESCO Field in Denver. The Obama campaign shifted the venue for the final night of the convention to allow for the larger audience.
Full of surprises
There has been no shortage of surprises for the Democratic delegates from Pennsylvania. It began yesterday with Hillary Clinton announcing that New York had awarded its delegates to Barack Obama, giving him enough to win the Democratic nomination for president. Then last night, they were on the floor of the arena when Obama walked out on stage after Joe Biden delivered his acceptance speech. 
Then, this morning, Biden and his wife surprised them with an appearance at their breakfast. Biden told the delegates that Obama won't be able to win the White House without winning Pennsylvania. He also said he and Obama plan to spend quite a bit of time in Pennsylvania between now and election day in November. In fact, they'll start a four-day bus tour of battleground states in western Pennsylvania tomorrow.
DNC -- Day 4
After an electrying night for Democrats inside the Pepsi Center here in Denver, the site of their national convention will move to nearby INVESCO Field for the final night tonight. Barack Obama will go before a capacity crowd of more than 75,000 people to accept his party's nomination for president. I was on the floor last night as Obama made a surprise appearance on the stage of the Pepsi Center after his vice presidential nominee, Joe Biden, delivered his acceptance speech. You'll be able to watch Obama's speech live on 69-WFMZ and on WFMZ.com.
Security has been extremely tight here in Denver. It will become even moreso later today when the Secret Service orders a stretch of interstate highway adjacent to the stadium closed. That will force thousands of rush hour drivers to find another way to go.
Obama and Biden and their spouses will then go from Denver to western Pennsylvania on Friday to start a four-day bus tour of battleground states.
August 27, 2008
Obama surprises delegates
I just managed to squeeze my way off the floor of the Pepsi Center -- an arena filled to capacity tonight with overwhelmingly enthusiastic Democrats surprised by the appearance of the man they nominated to be their candidate for president. Barack Obama walked onto the stage moments after Joe Biden delivered his acceptance speech for the vice presidential nomination. The Scranton native was introduced by one of his three children, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. At times while Karin, Bill, and I were on the floor, the sound was almost deafening.
Our time on the floor tonight was made possible by the Democratic National Committee, who provided us with the floor credentials and two escorts to take us into the Pennsylvania delegation's seating area and then onto a camera riser just to the left of the stage. 
Bill managed to capture close-up reaction of the delegates when Biden, and then Obama, walked onto the stage. After their speeches, Bill and Karin returned to the Pennsylvania delegation. They managed to interview both state Senator Mike O'Pake of Berks County and U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr.
A photographer's experience
Between shooting and editing the half-dozen of Karin's convention stories you see on TV each day, our photographer, Bill Seiders, has been busy almost non-stop. But this afternoon, he managed to take a brief break to write a little bit about some of his experiences here in Denver.
Well, as a member of our news team here at the DNC, I thought I would chime in and tell you all how I am fairing. Just as Karin and Matt are, I am also dog-tired, but the excitement of covering such a historic event for our country is keeping me going. One thing I am tired of is walking. I think we have to be walking two or three miles a day just to get back and forth to the Pepsi Center, but my wife would be happy because I am finally exercising. Everyday when we get to our work space I am on edge because I never think I am going to be able to edit all the stories and get them back to the station to air on time. 
But so far so good. I have been able to get you all the stories we want to sare with you and all on time. We have met many nice people here in Denver, and not to forget about all the famous faces you have read about in other blog posts. It has been a really exciting time for me and I can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings us. I hope you all are enjoying my images and the stories we are bringing you.
A moment in history
Bill and I just came off the floor of the arena after being with the Pennsylvania delegation as Barack Obama was awarded enough delegates to win the Democratic nomination for president. Governor Ed Rendell was set to announce Pennsylvania's delegates, but New York had enough to put him over the top. Hillary Clinton announced that her state was awarding its delegates to Obama.
I was the first to interview Rendell after Obama won the nomination. He told me, "History was just made with the first African American nominee of a major party. It's a great day for Democrats, and better still, a great day for America."
It's not easy to describe the level of excitement among the thousands of people as they rose to their feet in applause inside the jam-packed arena. You'll get a better sense of it by watching the video on our homepage.
I also spoke with Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham. "I think it's great that it's over. We have the unity of everything moving forward," he told me. "It was really nice to see that Hillary was the one to put it over the top." Obama will formally accept the nomination in a speech before more than 75,000 people at nearby INVESCO Field tomorrow night.
Souvenirs for sale
Politics is big business for street vendors here in Denver this week. In my walk over to the Pepsi Center this afternoon, I saw them selling just about anything you can think of with Barack Obama's face or name on it, even a pair of flip-flops. 
For the more traditional souvenir shoppers, the campaign buttons and t-shirts are still popular. There are dozens of styles up for grabs, including a shirt with a Superman theme.
Tribute to the troops
U.S. Congressman Patrick Murphy (left) will lead a special tribute to members of the active duty military, veterans, and their families inside the Pepsi Center tonight. He told Karin and me a few minutes ago that he'll be joined on stage by a couple dozen veterans, including some who served with him in the military. Murphy was a paratrooper in Bosnia and Iraq after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He won a seat in Congress in 2006.
A day of service
Democratic delegates from across the country fanned out around Denver today to volunteer their time for what the DNC called a "Day of Service." Members of the Pennsylvania delegation helped plant trees at the city's Curtis Park. 
New Jersey delegates sorted and packed food for the Meals on Wheels program. Michelle Obama and her daughters assembled care packages for U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
CNN = great food & fun
I've been telling you bits and pieces about the CNN Grill outside the Pepsi Center here in Denver -- free ice cream, celebrities (Charlize Theron and Charles Barkley at left), good food, etc. But it really seems to be something one has to see to believe.
Up until just last Thursday, it was a regular restaurant called Brooklyn's. But CNN crews moved in and did away with all signs of its previous existence, both inside and out. Those familiar with Brooklyn's tell me it looks hardly the same.
Dozens of widescreen TVs -- all tuned to CNN, of course -- hang around the restaurant, as do several neon signs, a large CNN logo, and various pictures of CNN's anchors and reporters. Fresh paint coats the walls. Mixed in within the restaurant and upstairs is a large amount of workspace for CNN staffers covering the convention.
The network even contracted with a local brewery to develop its own brand of beer, called CNN Red Ale, and a chef to develop its own menu. And those lucky enough to get in with a special pass don't have to fork over a dime for any of the food, drinks, or dessert. And they can walk away with free CNN hats, shirts, pins, and other goodies.
We're told the price tag for the whole thing soars into the millions of dollars. And it will all be done over again next week for the Republicans at another established restaurant in St. Paul.
Where do they go from here?
While Karin, Bill, and I will be leaving Denver for the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Barack Obama and Joe Biden will be heading to Pennsylvania. The candidates and their wives will begin a four-day bus tour of battleground states in Beaver County. It's being called the "On the Road to Change" tour. They'll also be making stops in Ohio and Michigan. It will mark the first time Obama and Biden will campaign together as Democratic nominees.
Buzz about Biden
There was talk going around the room at the Pennsylvania delegates' breakfast this morning about a possible visit tomorrow morning by vice presidential candidate Joe Biden. The U.S. Senator from Delaware was born in Scranton and is often referred to as Pennsylvania's third senator. PA Democratic Party chair T.J. Rooney of the Lehigh Valley told the delegates to get to the breakfast early because the room will fill up quickly, but he didn't say why.
PA delegate voting underway
Democratic delegates from across Pennsylvania have just begun casting their votes for their party's nominee for president. The results of the vote will be announced by Governor Ed Rendell on the floor of the Pepsi Center tonight. Earlier, he called on them to cast unanimous support for Barack Obama so that Pennsylvania can show the nation its Democrats are united.
Rendell calls for unanimous vote
Governor Ed Rendell just called on his fellow Pennsylvania delegates to cast a unanimous vote for Barack Obama's nomination on the convention floor tonight. He said he, as a Hillary Clinton supporter, understands more than anyone if some can't do that, but he'd like to show the country that Pennsylvania Democrats are united as one behind Obama. Rendell's words drew a standing ovation from about half the room.
As the governor left the room, he added his name to the Berks for Obama banner that's been on display during breakfast each morning. It contains the signatures of hundreds of Obama supporters from throughout Berks County.
Breakfast is served
Karin's up and we're now at the delegates' hotel for breakfast. Lehigh County Executive and former Bethlehem Mayor Don Cunningham is now addressing the delegates. Cunningham, himself, is a first time delegate. He describes the Democrats as a "party of hope."
Earlier, they heard from Montgomery County Commissioner and former U.S. Congressman Joe Hoeffel. He guaranteed the delegates a victory for Barack Obama in Montgomery County this November.
Allentown City Councilman Julio Guridy is also attending the breakfast. This is his second convention as a delegate. Four years ago he was in Boston to support John Kerry's bid for president. He told Karin he's now looking to give his full support to Obama.
Philadelphia Royalty
You just never know who you're going to bump into at a political convention. Last night, Karin, Bill, and I stopped by the CNN Grill for a bite to eat. Actress Charlize Theron was there mingling with the crowd. And so too was former Sixers star Charles Barkley. I'm not a small guy, or at least so I thought until I stood next to Sir Charles. Wow! The guy's huge. The former Republican is in town supporting Barack Obama.
"I think he would make a fantastic president," Barkley told CNN earlier in the night. "I never thought in my lifetime I'd see a black man get the presidential nomination. This is historical."
Barkley, himself, is thinking about getting his feet wet in politics. He's seriously considering a run for governor of Alabama as an independent.
DNC -- Day 3
Many describe Senator Joe Biden of Delaware as a loquacious speaker who can spend quite a bit of time behind a podium. Now tonight, as Barack Obama's newly-minted running mate, the Scranton native will put into words his thoughts for "Securing America's Future."
That's the theme the Democrats are going with for the third night of their convention here in Denver. Biden has garnered some experience in that field over the last 36 years he's been in the Senate. He currently chairs the Foreign Relations Committee.
We'll also hear from someone else who knows a bit about foreign policy. Bill Clinton, the last Democrat to sit in the Oval Office, will talk about Obama's "commitment to a stronger and safer America." As always seems to be the case around this time in a presidential campaign, personal differences take a back seat to party loyalty. Clinton and Obama sparred with each other a few times in the speeches they gave during the primaries.
Finally, those who have taken charge of securing America on the front lines will be honored tonight. Representative Patrick Murphy from Bucks County will help lead a tribute to the nation's active duty military, veterans, and their families. Murphy (left) is a veteran himself, having served in Iraq before winning his seat in Congress.
Wonder women
This was a special day for women attending the Democratic National Convention. I'll let Karin tell you more about it.
Wonder twin powers of the world activate. What a day to be a woman in Pennsylvania and the country. It was all about girl power here in Denver today. With the women's caucus, the 88th anniversary of the women's sufferage movement and Senator Hillary Clinton taking center stage, look how far we've come. I spoke this morning with Lehigh Valley delegate Wendy DeMarco Fuentes, who brought her two young daughters -- five- and eight-years-old -- to Denver... never too early to realize that anything is possible. There's a sense of pride beaming today from every woman and I'm happy to be part of it.
August 26, 2008
Swapping credentials
My last two posts were about Bill and me going onto the floor of the Pepsi Center to gather some video of and interviews with the Pennsylvania and New Jersey delegations. Well, there's a bit of a process to getting onto the floor, so I thought I'd explain it.
The credentials we're given get us inside the arena, which means we can pretty much go wherever we want except into the seating areas and onto the floor. That's because the arena is smaller than those that have hosted some of the more recent 
Democratic conventions. So, we must go to a table run by young volunteers working for the DNC. We give them our "arena" credential and they give us a "floor" credential, but we're given only a half-hour and then we must give it back so that other stations can use it.
The young volunteer who swapped my credential just happened to be from Northampton County. Meggan Werkheiser told me she recently graduated from college with a degree in communications. She's now working as a freelance writer, but she seems to be having fun doing what she's doing here in Denver during the convention.
N.J. Rockin' in Denver
While we were inside the Pepsi Center, Bill and I walked over to the New Jersey section with the hopes of talking with some delegates from Hunterdon and Warren counties. But, when we got there, we found only one delegate -- a woman from Union County. She told us the rest of the New Jersey delegation would be a little late tonight because they were attending a party. She decided to skip it so that she could save the best seats for herself and her friends.
Excitement building
I just came off the floor of the arena where excitement is starting to build for the second night of the Democratic National Convention. I talked with Eileen Prussman and Tom Herman, both delegates from Berks County. They tell me they're looking forward to hearing Senator Hillary Clinton speak later tonight. They say they believe her speech will help unify the Democratic Party after a divisive primary season between her supporters and those of Barack Obama's.
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell just finished addressing the delegates about Barack Obama's energy policy and the high cost of gasoline. He told them, "A son of Scranton, Joe Biden, and a friend of Pennsylvania, Barack Obama, offer the change America needs to create a future free of foreign oil."
RAW VIDEO: Governor Rendell's Speech ]It's all about women today
Women are playing a key role in the second day of the Democratic National Convention. Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano are two of the featured speakers. Several female members of the House will also speak to the theme of women and economy."
"I brought my daughters because I think it's important to lead our next generation of women and to make them very comfortable with politics and to allow them to understand it as soon as possible," said Lehigh Valley delegate Wendy DeMarco Fuentes.
The speakers will be followed by Senator Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama's last-standing opponent in the primaries. Today marks the 88th anniversary of giving women the right to vote.
"I have a 92-year-old grandmother and I think she votes religiously because she remembers when her mother won the right to vote," said Fuentes.
Greening the DNC
While blue is often associated with Democrats and red with Republicans, both parties have green in common at their conventions this year. It's all about preserving the environment. Here in Denver, waste beer from the Coors brewery in nearby Golden is 
being used to fuel the fleet of official convention vehicles. Electricity is being generated by both the wind and sun. And recycling and compost containers are located all around the complex. DNC officials say the goal is to prevent 85% of disposed materials from ending up in landfills.
Pins & Politics
Barack Obama isn't the only presidential hopeful here at the Democratic National Convention. There are quite a few people pinning their hopes on themselves. Or at least you might think with the custom buttons you see them wearing. 
Inside one of the media tents is a table where one can have his or her own name put onto a 2008 campaign button. And while I may now have my own campaign button, I'll just stick with the reporting of politics.
Downfall in Denver
I just learned that covering politics can be a real pain in the... arm. (you thought I might use another "a" word, huh?) Just take a look at the bandage. I took a pretty bad fall on our walk over to the arena this afternoon. Karin will tell you that I reached out to grab her belt in an effort to catch myself, but I don't even remember that. And if I had gotten a hold of her, she likely would have gone right down with me and the equipment. So, I'm thankful it was just me.
Anyway, I scraped up my right arm pretty good and bruised my leg. I have to give thanks to a couple Secret Service agents and paramedics for treating my injuries. Fortunately, the equipment I was carrying seems to have fared much better. It's working. And now, so am I again. And thankful there have been more ups than downs here in Denver.
In his father's footsteps
If you watch NBC, you know Tim Russert enjoyed covering politics perhaps more than anyone else in our business. And he was looking forward to being here in Denver this week and in St. Paul next week. But, Russert died of a heart attack at work over Father's Day weekend.
Now, his son, Luke, is following in his father's footsteps. Karin and I caught up with him inside the Pepsi Center last night, working as a special correspondent reporting on youth issues for NBC News.
Putting the squeeze on Congress
The delegates from Berks County and the Lehigh Valley will be leaving Denver with their suitcases much heavier than when they arrived. The delegates are given all kinds of free things while they're in town. The PA State Educators Association is one of the sponsors of this morning's breakfast. 
They gave the delegates a spongy stress-reliever in the shape of the U.S. Capitol dome. They also got a baseball cap, a water bottle, and a couple other things. Now they have a reason to use the tote bag PPL gave them yesterday.
A hard-working EP
I've told you a bit about what it takes on our end here in Denver to get our stories on the air each day. Now take a look at the desk of our executive producer, Manoj Shamdasani, in our Allentown newsroom. He's working on three computers. He uses one to write stories and check his e-mails from us; 
another to create special graphics for use on the air; the third to edit video and download the stories we send back over the Internet. He's also putting in long hours. He's aready in the newsroom when we start our day here and he's still there when we finish at night.
Back at breakfast
We're back at the hotel where the Pennsylvania delegation is staying. Breakfast is just being served, although we don't get the chance to eat. We're here to meet up with our local delegates. Right now, Karin is chatting with state Senator Mike O'Pake from Berks County. He arrived in town yesterday.
It seems many of the delegates are getting a later start this morning. Yesterday at this time, the large banquet room was crowded with nearly every table full. This morning, it's probably about half that many. No doubt, many are enjoying late-night parties since the activities on the floor of the convention are scheduled for prime time on the East Coast and end about 9:00 here.
Pennsylvania native Chris Matthews from MSNBC is here talking with delegates. U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr. just walked by me. He and Governor Ed Rendell will address all the delegates at the Pepsi Center tonight. We haven't seen Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham yet this morning. He's scheduled to address the delegates during breakfast. I'll tell you what he had to say a little later.
King of political reporting
Karin, Bill, and I spent some time last night inside the CNN Grill enjoying some burgers and chatting with our network's chief national correspondent, John King. He told us that he plans to spend some time in the weeks between now and election day with the candidates in the Lehigh Valley. That's because he says he sees the region and the rest of Pennsylvania playing a key role in determining who wins the White House. John's been around presidential politics for quite some time. He used to cover the White House for another network.
DNC -- Day 2
Hillary Clinton may have everything she wants in her political life except the Democratic nomination for president, which she lost to Barack Obama. He also passed over her for the number two spot on the ticket. Tonight, all eyes will be on the podium inside the arena as she steps up in prime-time to talk about "Renewing America's Promise."
That's the Democrats' theme for the second day of their convention here in Denver. Some leading members of Congress will also play a role in tonight's progam, including Pennsylvania's freshman Senator, Bob Casey, Jr. (more about him in a later post).
"It is our duty to hold the White House accountable to the needs of Americans who are struggling to get by," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who addressed the delegates last night. "We desperately need change in the White House to move this country in a new direction and renew America's promise."
We'll also hear from Governor Ed Rendell, who endorsed Clinton's campaign. He says he's now 100% behind Obama. Rendell will talk about "how the failed policies of the last eight years have betrayed our values and left an economy out of balance."
But it should be safe to say the headline of the night will come from Hillary Clinton and the reaction she gets from the delegates, many of whom have been walking around the convention the past couple days still wearing her campaign buttons and shirts.
A reporter who rarely sleeps
Here are Karin's thoughts on our second day in Denver -- the first day of the Democratic National Convention.
It's sun up to sun down... there's no rest for the weary here in Denver. Following the PA delegation -- we rise when they do, and that means breakfast at 7AM... lunch break, who knows? And dinner? Whenever we're done. But even with a lack of sleep, the excitement is infectious. Berks Obama delegate Cynthia Baughman tells me the party ends at 1AM. So, there might be a few bleary eyes on day two of the convention. Sleep is just a passing thought when you're putting in a bid for the White House.
August 25, 2008
A familiar face
Our local delegates from Pennsylvania and New Jersey may have done a double-take as they walked inside the Pepsi Center this afternoon. No. It wasn't Barack Obama. But it sure looked a lot like him. It was actually Gerardo Puisseauex -- a Barack Obama look-alike. He certainly caught my attention as I was walking back to our workspace with my CNN ice cream. Journalists quickly gathered around him. And as I got closer, he even sounded a bit like Obama. Given those talents, he may have quite a career ahead of him if Obama wins the election.
A Kennedy moment
It was speculation proven to be true. For days, many had been wondering whether Senator Ted Kennedy would make an appearance here at the Democratic National Convention. And when a brief tribute video introduced by his niece, Caroline, ended, Kennedy walked out onto the stage to a rousing welcome by the thousands of delegates waving Kennedy signs inside the arena.
"My fellow Democrats, my fellow Americans, it is so wonderful to be here," he said. "And nothing, nothing is going to keep me away from this special gathering."
Those who couldn't be there in person, stood and watched his address on large TVs outside.
Kennedy has been undergoing treatment for a malignant brain tumor since May. Doctors at a hospital here in Denver examined the senator after he arrived last night. His own physicians had been wary of the trip because of his weak immune system from undergoing weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Floor Flamboyance
You're guaranteed to see just about anything at a political convention. Delegate Pegy Tanksley of New Philadelphia, Schuylkill County, is living proof of that. She proudly showed off some of her dance moves this afternoon as fellow members of the Pennsylvania delegation around her waved their flags on the floor of the Pepsi Center during the first day of the Democratic National Convention.
A problem for Pelosi?
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will soon step behind the podium inside the Pepsi Center to address delegates of the Democratic National Convention. But while she's in Denver, she's also facing some opposition from her own home state. 
Iraq war activist Cindy Sheehan, who took her protest to the Lehigh Valley last summer, is in town. Sheehan is hoping to take Pelosi's California seat away from her in the next election for failing to make progress to stop the war.
One scoop or two?
It certainly wasn't a tough decision for me. And who would have ever thought that CNN = ice cream!?!? And free ice cream to boot, with whipped cream and red, white, and blue sprinkles. They're giving it away outside the Pepsi Center. So, as a journalist working for a CNN affiliate, who am I to pass up such an offer? And let me tell you, I don't regret it. It was good ice cream! The only tough decision I had to make was whether I wanted to eat it with a red, white, or blue spoon. Since we're at the Democratic convention, I thought it best to go with blue. But please don't let that fool you into thinking I'm biased.
Cunningham at the Convention
I mentioned earlier that we talked with a few of our local delegates at their breakfast this morning. Among them was Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham. This is his first time being an elected delegate. He told us he's looking forward to networking with other delegates and dignitaries while he's in Denver this week. "Anytime you can share those experiences, and not just the political side but those of us who hold elected office on the governmental side, and what's going on with the economy and how people are handling that, I think that's always helpful." 
Cunningham supported Hillary Clinton during the primaries. He says it's now time for all Democrats to get on board with Obama and double their efforts to lead him to victory in November. Cunningham will address his fellow Pennsylvania delegates during their breakfast tomorrow morning.
We've become the news
What Karin, Bill, and I are doing here in Denver -- reporting the news -- has become the news. Well, at least the way we're reporting the news is what's of interest. Bill and I were interviewed by the news editor for The Poynter Institute last night. He asked us about the innovative ways we're doing our jobs, mainly with the use of computers. In fact, we have four laptops going right now as we work on our stories for the early evening newscasts you'll see at home. His article appeared on Poynter's website this morning.
Buttons from Berks
Buttons have long been a big thing at political conventions, but there's one stuck on many of the Pennsylvania delegates here in Denver that offers a bit of Berks County. Artist Kathi Ember from Kutztown designed the artwork for a pin being sold to raise money for 
the Pennsylvania delegation's expenses here in Denver. They're also available on eBay. Ember is a member of the Kutztown Area Democratic Club. She donated her work in support of the delegates.
Riding the rails
We're trying something different today. Given this is the first day of the Democratic National Convention and traffic may be worse than it was yesterday, we decided to leave our truck at the PA Delegation's hotel and take a light rail train downtown. (It would be great if we had a rail system like this back in PA. It's really quite extensive) It's also giving us a chance to see some of the scenery. 
The mountains in the distance, although a bit obscured by the haze, are beautiful. Many people are standing as we go, so we're not the only ones with the idea. It won't get us to the Pepsi Center because the closest stations are closed for security reasons, but it will likely get us closer than where we'd have to park. We'll either have to walk the rest of the way or transfer to a bus.
More than a babysitter
Lazaro Fuentes, founder of the Lehigh Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is here in Denver. He's not a delegate. His wife, Wendy, is filling that role. Instead, Fuentes is looking after the couple's two young children while his wife tends to her official business. But, he told Karin today he's also looking to drum up Latino support for Barack Obama while he's here in Denver. He hopes to take that support with him back to the Lehigh Valley because that could make the difference for Obama in the November election.
The Rendell Raffle
If you're not a delegate, dignitary, or member of the media, it can be a bit difficult to get inside the Pepsi Center for any part of the Democratic National Convention. So, Governor Rendell is holding something he's proud to call the "Rendell Raffle." He told Karin this morning that it's like the Pennsylvania Lottery coming to Denver. He says everyday at 11:00, he'll raffle off the extra credentials he's been given for being governor to delegates who'd like to take a spouse or friend inside the arena.
The governor is scheduled to address the delegates at the Pepsi Center between 7 and 7:30 Eastern Time tomorrow night.
Pancakes and politics
We're at breakfast right now with most of the members of the Pennsylvania delegation, including several diginitaries who are serving as Super Delegates. This morning's breakfast is being sponsored by PPL. It will be how they start each of the next four days of the convention. They're staying at the Marriott Denver Tech Center, which is a few miles away from all the hubub of the downtown area.
Those who are here at breakfast include Governor Ed Rendell, U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr., PA Chair T.J. Rooney from the Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham. We're expecing PA Senator Mike O'Pake from Berks County to arrive sometime today.
Inside the banquet room, there's a large Berks for Obama banner hanging with hundreds of signatures of local supporters. We've talked to a number of delegates, so far. Many are anxious to get their credentials for the day and head downtown to the Pepsi Center for the start of the National Convention. Be sure to check back here throughout the day for more on our chats.
DNC -- Day 1
Democratic delegates and dignitaries from throughout Berks County and the Lehigh Valley have now joined thousands of those from across the country here in Denver. They're about to convene for the start of their party's nominating convention. The Democrats' theme for the first day is "One Nation." Barack Obama's wife, Michelle, will be the featured speaker at the Pepsi Center tonight.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will also have a prominent speaking role. "The opening night of the convention will highlight Senator Obama's life story, his commitment to change, and the voices of Americans who are calling for a new direction for this country," said Pelosi.
Tonight will also feature a tribute to Senator Ted Kennedy, who is being treated for a malignant brain tumor. The 76-year-old Democrat from Massachusetts recently taped a five-minute video message to be played at the convention, but some are speculating he might actually appear in person. We'll just have to wait and see.
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