Whitehouse on the Road: The Democratic National Convention, Day 3

Update 12:34 a.m. MST - Biden hits McCain, Tennessee Democrats approve

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

Update 12:34 a.m. MST - Sen. Joe Biden accepted the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nod, and then threw some political red meat to the party’s convention, going after Republican nominee Sen. John McCain.

Biden came out swinging on foreign policy, the topic where his experience is suppose to buttress the Democratic ticket.

“As we gather here tonight, our country is less secure and more isolated than at any time in recent history,” Biden said, accepting the nomination before a national television audience. “The Bush-McCain foreign policy has dug us into a very deep hole, with very few friends to help us climb out.

“Now, after six long years, the Bush administration and the Iraqi government are on the verge of setting a date to bring our troops home. …John McCain was wrong. Barack Obama was right.”

Biden’s comments stayed on point with the Democratic message this election season, linking Republicans to dissatisfaction over the war in Iraq and a struggling economy. He used his experience campaigning during the Democratic presidential primary against Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama to make his point.

“You can learn an awful lot about a man campaigning with him, debating him, and seeing how he reacts under pressure,” Biden said. “You learn about the strength of his mind. But even more importantly, you learn about the quality of his heart.

“I watched how he touched people, how he (Obama) inspired them, and I realized he has tapped into the oldest American belief of all: we don't have to accept a situation we cannot bear. We have the power to change it.”

Tennessee Democrats appeared pleasantly surprised by Biden’s speech, saying it continued the momentum for the convention gained earlier in the evening by Sen. Hillary Clinton moving to acclaim Obama the nominee.

“I thought it was inspirational and substantive,” State Sen. Jim Kyle said. “Clearly it began the process of differentiating Obama and McCain in a tasteful and relevant way.”

“I thought Biden hit a homerun,” 5th District U.S. Congressman Jim Cooper said. “I was especially touched by his comments about his mother. Also, it’s nearly impossible to follow Bill Clinton but he did it. After today, all divisions in the party have been healed.”

In a day full of surprises, Democrats got one more in that Barack Obama showed up in the arena.

Big deal? Yup, it was a big deal. Presidential nominees usually, wait let me rephrase that, never show up until the last night of the conventions. Obama’s entering the room was met with an avalanche of sound that shook the Rocky Mountains. It was loud to say the least.

State Senator Jim Kyle of Memphis said, “I thought the roof was going to come off the building when Obama came out.” While politicians may be prone to exaggeration, there was some truth there.

Update 8:15 p.m. MST - I am sitting in the media tent right now having just watched former President Bill Clinton deliver his address to the convention.

If you saw the speech, you saw a Bill Clinton on his game. He didn't speak too long, made the case for unity in the Democratic Party, and gave some memorable lines. In other words he didn't screw things up for the Democrats.

In the tent I'm in, there are two tv's on each corner of a carpeted area. CNN is on one TV, Fox News on the other. The people putting this little area together obviously didn't want to pick a side.

Being with about 30 cynical journalists from all over the country in the media area just next to the Pepsi Center, I was curious to see how they would react. Despite what you have heard about the "liberal media," none of them did any cartwheels, swooned over his image, or tried to kiss the television when his face was on screen.

They reacted almost in unison, taking quotes during key moments of the speech and ignoring everyone and anything else until the speech was over so they could write their stories. No drama here, no reaction from poker faced journalists.

Honestly, the job of the Clinton's at this convention was effectively over during the roll call of delegates. When Illinois deferred to New York and Hillary made the motion to make Obama the nominee by acclamation, someone should have dusted off President George W. Bush's "Mission Accomplished" sign and dropped it from the rafters of the arena. Trust me, that was the mood in the building at the time.

I'm going to head back into the Pepsi Center in a few minutes and wait on Senator Biden's acceptance speech. There will be one more update later this evening.

Once last thing before I go, earlier today while standing outside the arena and talking on the phone with Nashville people when I saw Karl Rove speed by in a golf cart. He has been here as a talking head this week for tv and radio.

I tried to catch up for a picture but the golf cart was moving way to fast and then braked sharply at the door. Rove jumped out and raced inside the arena before most people even noticed and into a secure zone somewhere in the bowels of the building.

Most of the official "convention vehicles" this week are prominently marked as hybrid cars. Given the speed of the golf cart that Rove was in, it easily could have been a souped up 8 cylinder golf cart driven by Darrell Waltrip.

Update 4:56 p.m. MST - In an unanticipated move, Sen. Hillary Clinton pushed her rival Sen. Barack Obama over the top to be the Democratic Party's presidential nominee moments ago.

The convention floor and the Pepsi Center sat in a moment of shock when the Illinois delegation - Obama's home state passed on its roll call vote to put Obama over the top in delegate count to clinch the nomination.

Instead, the roll call vote was deferred by Illinois and given to the New York delegation, the state where Clinton serves as a senator. The former first lady then came forward and moved all roll call counting cease the convention acclaim Obama the nominee.

It was an electric moment in the Pepsi Center and a piece of American history unfolding through an unexpected twist. More to come...

Update 3:42 p.m. MST - Having finally made my way down to the Pepsi Center through downtown Denver I can tell you this, no matter where you look the already heavy security has been taken to a whole new level.

Everywhere you turn there are riot police, local law enforcement officials carrying machine guns, and even armored horses. I don’t know where they got the reinforcements from but I’m sure there is some small town 150 miles from here that would be happy to have at least Barney Fife on the job because everybody else is here.

A memo obtained by The Nashville Post and being circulated to area law enforcement shows just what police and security have to contend with in Denver this week. The memo does not give any security plans but rather details what they have deemed to be security threats in the area on August 25th.

Much of the concern from law enforcement here seems to be on protestors, with references made to different types of protest techniques with exotic names.

“Black Bloc” techniques are those used by a loose group of anarchists and anti-capitalists that protest across the globe dressed all in black with covered faces to hide their identities.

“Sleeping Dragons” are weighted devices such as pipes or paint cans with concrete chained or locked to protestors to make them more difficult for police to cart away.

The rest of this update is a transcription of the memo and what security concerns they have been dealing with. All times are military and “USSS” means United States Secret Service.”

“8/25/08 (08:45) I-Team observed and Eye4C sign on a black postal service storage box, SE corner of 18th and Pennsylvania. Area checked for surveillance cameras – none found.

8/25/08 (10:18) Rocks and concrete found covered up with mulch at 5th & Walnut. Public Works notified and dispatched.

8/25/08 (11:30) Two groups observed at Civic Center Park. One group laid out 40 white five gallon paint buckets and was filling them with measured water. The group had two dollies with 6 bags of Quick-Create sand on them. Note: Items are component parts for locking devices and sleeping dragons.

8/25/08 (14:29) USSS reported two credentials were stolen from the Convention Center. One light blue Podium pass and one purple Special Guest pass.

8/25/08 (14:35) 150 Anti abortion protestors gathered at 1673 Sherman Blvd, 50 individuals destroying landscape.

8/25/08 (15:10) An unsecured manhole was discovered on the shoulder of the road at Northbound I-25, between 23rd Avenue and Speer Blvd. The word “CONCEPT” was found near the manhole. The manhole is directly across the street from Elitch Gardens, which runs towards the Pepsi Center and is 48” in diameter. Note: The word “CONCEPT” was also painted on a highway sign at I-25 and Colfax. CSP Hazmat and CDOT went into the manhole and found that it leads to the Pepsi Center.

8/25/08 (16:41) USSS reported that an individual lost his Pepsi Center Skybox/Club Level Access Pass and his Colorado Convention Center Pass, somewhere in the Pepsi Center.’

8/25/08 (16:48) Federal Aviation Administration reported that an aircraft had violated the restricted flight areas in Denver, Colorado. The aircraft is described as a 1988 Turbo-Shaft Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm, Model BO-105S, Rotorcraft Serial Number S-772. It is registered to Metro Aviation Inc., 1400 Airport Drive, #120, Shreveport, LA, 71107

8/25/08 (16:55) Subject (female) spoke of killing Obama on June 13th, 2008 and August 24th, 2008. Note: Caller remained anonymous. No further information at this time.

8/25/08 (17:02) A suspicious package with batteries was found in the mailbox at an Abortion Clinic, located at 9330 South University Blvd, Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

8/25/08 (17:07) A large crowd gathered at the US Mint (50-100) people, but eventually dispersed.

8/25/08 (17:19) A man (no description provided) was observed spray-painting a freeway exit sign with the word “CONCEPT.” The sign is located at the northbound exit of I-25 to Colfax.

8/25/08 (17:21) A stash of paint cans, water bottles and 50 gallons of urine were discovered behind the lofts of Denver, where individuals are waiting to film the people coming out.

8/25/08 (17:38) A trash (can) was spotted on the side of the road along Alameda Avenue, just East of Highway C-470. The trash can contained at least 30 individual bags filled with feces, potentially to be thrown at Law Enforcement Officers during protest periods. Each bag had rocks in the bottom for weight, which would allow them to be thrown farther.

8/25/08 (17:53) An individual was spotted taking pictures of the Metro Water Facility 100 yards North of 270. Commerce City. PD responded. When approached the individual stated he was a bird photographer and was hostile to the officers. The individual proceeded to show the officers three pictures of the birds. The officers reviewed the remaining pictures on Richardson’s camera. The pictures included: Metro Waste; Cherokee Power Plant (6000 Block York); Close up photos of protestors and Close up photos of Police Officers. The suspect was arrested by Commerce City PD.

8/25/08 (19:08) USS reported that 100 people using Black Bloc techniques gathered at the Civic Center Park and confronted police. Protestors cross the park to evade Police. They are moving north and blocking the streets. By 19:18pm, protestors grew to approximately 500 people. Colorado State Patrol deployed crowd control. Protestors attempted to surround Police at 15th and Cleveland. By 19:45pm, protestors seated near Denver Judicial Building were surrounded by Police in riot gear, and were compliant. At 20:45pm, protestors began to disband; Police initiated arrest of remaining group. (14th and Court Place)

8/25/08 (19:17) All hotels on 16th Street Corridor are on self imposed lock-down because of protestor activity.”

The memo concludes by saying that the Denver Police Department had arrested 100 people “over the night.”

Update 12:32 p.m. MST - Once again, after leaving the Tennessee delegation breakfast I had to high-tail it downtown to get my media credentials. If you dont have those you dont stand a chance in this town right now.

When I was leaving the hotel, some folks said that they were going to split cab fare downtown and asked me to join them. Since I work for fiscally responsible people who would applaud cost saving measures without hurting the content of readership, I took them up on it. (How's that for sucking up to the bosses back home.)

As I get in the van, the guy sitting in front, who turns and thanks me for joining them, is none other than Ned Lamont of Connecticut. For those not as familiar with politics, Lamont was the anti-war candidate that beat Senator Joe Lieberman in Connecticut's Democratic primary two years ago only to lose to him in the general election when Lieberman switched to run as an independent.

Lamont was pretty laid back and said that he would consider running for office again someday but would be "open to working in an Obama administration." No surprise there. The rest of the way into town he talked about what he thought the Obama campaign should do to reach out to North Eastern blue collar Democrats.

After picking up the credentials, I realized that instead of walking down the 16th Street Mall and try to get random interviews from political celebrities that Corrections Corporation of America was holding a reception for the Tennessee delegation just a few blocks away.

Given all the press, most of it bad, that the CCA has been getting lately I thought I'd see who would show up and if this was part of recent "push back" efforts to counter the media. Let's point out here that I do know that the CCA is an advertiser on our website, but nobody asked me to come. It was curiosity, plain and simple.

Tony Grande, CCA's executive vice president and chief development officer said that receptions like the one here in Denver are nothing new and pointed out that they held a similar event four years ago at the Democratic Convention in Boston and will be holding another one next week for Tennessee Republican's in St. Paul.

Grande said, "We are in twenty states, about half of them have Democratic governors and the others are Republicans. This is a way to show our support for our state partners, and frankly Governor Bredesen deserves recognition for what he has done no matter what state he was from."

CCA's CEO and chairman John Ferguson is also on hand and said, "I am proud to be here and have the opportunity to meet with a fine delegation.

"Nashville Star" finalist Lance Miller is on hand to croon for attendees that include Tennessee State Employee Association president Zoyle Jones, former deputy governor Dave Cooley, newly minted Obama Tennessee chair Jerry Martin, and a slew of legislative members like Reps. Brenda Gilmore, John Hood, Randy Rinks, Speaker Jimmy Naifeh and State Senators Thelma Harper and Jim Kyle.

Making a brief appearance was Congressman Bart Gordon. Gordon is leaving town to head back to his district in time for this weekends MTSU vs. Troy State football game

When asked about his impressions of the convention so far, he said, "To me the highlight was Michelle Obama's speech. She had an energy about her and told a very personal story that many of us could relate to." As for his impression on Hillary's speech last night, Gordon said, "I thought Hillary was very good, but I dont think it was out of the ball park."

Back in a bit with more.

10:26 a.m. MST - Day three of the Democratic National Convention is just getting under way and preparations are being made for tonight’s "roll call" vote. There is some drama here in that some die-hard Hillary supporters may stay with Clinton even if released from that responsibility.

At the Tennessee Delegation breakfast, the roll call vote was touched on, but then focused on the Belmont University presidential debate to be held in October.

To promote the debate and raise Nashville and Belmont's profile, delegates will be wearing Belmont Debate buttons and Gov. Phil Bredesen will supposedly announce it during the roll call vote when Tennessee is called by the convention chair.

Belmont's debate will also be promoted at next week's GOP convention. The featured speakers at this morning's breakfast were Congressman John Tanner and U.S. Senate Candidate Bob Tuke.

Tanner said that there is "not an adjective that can properly describe the improper financial leadership inflicted on the country ... by Bush, Cheney and his crew. They have borrowed more money in six years than was ever borrowed in all years combined by the American government since its birth."

Tanner went on to say that, when he traveled to Europe as the chairman of the U.S. delegation to the legislative branch of NATO this year, no one accepted his money when he tried to pay with American dollars. He said that never in his history of congressional travel had the American dollar been refused.

He continued in his speech by adding saying "borrow-and-spend Republicans have inflicted damage on this country more than any congressional fiscal policy in history. The money we have borrowed has interest and must be paid. There is no getting around that."

After Tanner, Tuke took the stage and gave an energetic speech to he group. He said, "The reason I am running is that we have a current senator who seems to get a pass all the time, but he is doing woefully in representing the people of Tennessee.

"I am not talking about his character. He is an acquaintance of mine and many of yours, but he is doing a woeful job in the Senate. Economic leadership of Senate Republicans and Bush have damaged this country and Alexander has been a part of that. Leadership by Congressmen Tanner and Cooper, the progress they make in the U.S. House is stopped in the Senate by Republican filibusters and Alexander."

Tuke then got a big round of applause when he told delegates to expect for him to be dead even in October polling with Alexander "if trends keep up."

Just after the breakfast, Tennessee's Hillary delegates convened to discuss their options for the roll call vote. That is when things got heated.

Tennessee Hillary delegate whip Betsy Reid said that Clinton was going to speak to her delegates later today about how they should vote during the roll call.

Reid then said that, after hearing Clinton's speech last night, she would be voting for Obama. As soon as she finished that sentence, there were calls from other Hillary Tennessee delegates for her to immediately resign as a whip.

Reid said she would not do so, which was countered by various delegates saying they would not forget her switching her vote after all the promises made during the primary season.

Bill Owen, also a Hillary whip, then jumped to the podium and said that each person should vote their conscience and that he was still going to vote for Hillary. Interestingly, Owen said the day after the last primary in June at a gathering of Democrats at Swett's Restaurant that he and all the Clinton supporters would be throwing all their weight behind Obama.

As he was speaking, one unidentified delegate rose and interrupted Owen to say that they were all Democrats, that they all need to support the Democratic ticket, and that they need to be united. The delegate then looked over my direction and said, "This is an open meeting and it's being recorded."

Well, maybe not recorded, but certainly reported. Back with more later.