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# Expecting big things at Democratic convention
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/expecting-big-things-at-democratic-convention/
- Published: 2008-08-27T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T20:51:03.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Government & Politics, Downtown, #archive-import

*A day in Denver*

*By ADRIANA WONG Special to the Daily Press*

DNC In downtown Denver, blurs of red, white, and blue can be seen in every direction. Street vendors and shops display Barack Obama merchandise all over the streets while “Words of Democracy” illuminate the sidewalks at night. A refreshing air and atmosphere of patriotism has excited the city for the 2008 Democratic National Convention and me, especially.

I fundraised my way to Denver to attend this week’s convention events with a student group. My involvement in politics has become an inherent interest to me. As a Santa Monica High School junior, raised within a considerably liberal community, it is thrilling to be at an event where the most active members of the Democratic Party congregate. Being able to walk down the street and see some of America’s greatest leaders such as former President Jimmy Carter, and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry has opened my eyes and shown me that politics can be accessible and that democracy is not just a spectator sport.

Citizens of all walks of life and backgrounds have gotten involved in the Democratic Party’s efforts to win the election. I have met delegates, congressmen, and senators, of all ages who are ecstatic for this week’s upcoming events and are also incredibly fervent in their support of Sen.’s Barack Obama and Joe Biden in their race for the presidency.

> “This is an election that is important to L.A. County and to the nation and to the world,” — he said

During an interview at a California state delegation breakfast in Denver’s Sheraton hotel, Los Angeles’ Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa shared some enthusiasm with me about Obama’s campaign.

“Americans are looking for a change, Angelenos are looking for a change. We want to get out of the war quickly and as safely as possible, and we want to address this economic crisis that is soaking the life and blood of American’s economy and impacting working families around the country. We’re looking for universal health care for the 47 million uninsured and the more than one-and-a-half million uninsured Angelenos.

Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, also added on that in California, “if you’re a senior and you care about MediCare, Barack Obama is right and John McCain is wrong” and that one should not support John McCain’s platform on the War on Terror. She said firmly that 10 million children in America could be insured for a year with the funds spent on 40 days in Iraq. To both of these major political players, Obama clearly seems like the presidential candidate who can effectively lead the nation.

With our country’s democratic leaders fired up by the desire for change within the government with passionate words for Obama, this week’s convention speeches and other official events are expected to be historical, Obama’s speech, especially. The senator will accept the party’s nomination on Thursday night and knowing him to be one of the greatest orators of our time, I anticipate this address to be groundbreaking. I was fortunate enough to be among a cheering crowd while Michelle Obama delivered her astounding speech live and will be watching her husband at Denver’s Invesco Field on Thursday.

With the positive and enthusiastic way the public has already been responding to the convention so far, the Democratic Party can be sure to expect great things throughout the week.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 27, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/082708.pdf?ref=smdp.com)