A Young California Delegate’s Thoughts on Leaving Denver and the Democratic National Convention

Obama stayed on message as always while going into policy during the speech which I have thought is something he needs to do. Obama will lower taxes for 95% of Americans while McCain will keep Bush's tax cuts which he himself voted against twice. John McCain more of the same and Obama as the agent of change is the theme of this election. It may be sticking because John Kerry did not have the slogans everyone knew and he lost.

The standing ovation after Obama's speech had such energy from the floor that I wish they could win an election just by a cheering crowd. Although there weren't any balloons (my only disappointment of the entire convention) the fireworks made everyone go crazy. It even caught Michelle Obama off guard but seeing she jump once the big ones went off. The fireworks were the icing on the cake that made a historical moment end of a bang.

The stadium had acted as if the Broncos were on the goal line, 4th down with 5 seconds left on the clock to score the winning touchdown.

I have yet to hear from a fellow delegate on the floor who was not touched or inspired to work for this man.

Outside, after the speech was all over, the close to 100,000 people jumped onto the buses and light rail. No one really cared that it took up to three hours--as in my case--to catch a bus. We were in a state of awe and wonder.

Saying that Obama overshadowed all speakers would be true and a huge understatement. Before he spoke, we had over a dozen retired US Generals come out and tell McCain he has the wrong policy on the war while Obama wants to get the terrorist where they actually are. These people would make for great surrogates. Then the average Americans came out, many of them claiming to be former republicans gave McCain a strong attack that is hard to refute.

The only one who came close to clearing the way was Al Gore's speech. Not allowing our country to be destroyed by climate change and owning up to our responsibility for future generations. Thank you, Al Gore for speaking to your issue! I want to avoid killer heat waves and for Napa wine to still be good in 50 years. To think that he was only 500 votes away from winning the presidency and that the amount of campaign work that would have put him over the top could have been done with a few people devoting their weekend to knock on doors or call--that would could have completely changed if my friends and I went out and campaigned. This is why I am in politics.

Watching MSNBC or CNN or Fox News all day is fun and all but if you are angry at the current path of our nation, then go and do something about it. I feel bad for the people who say my vote doesn't count. Luckily young people no longer think that. Many of us remember Florida and almost no one my age likes Bush. The young voters, if targeted and reached out by campaigns will not only campaign but vote in a block two-thirds for Democrats.

Being a delegate provides such a status level that I had no clue about it until being there. It does not mean I will change any policy I believe in, but I did cast one of the votes on the decision choosing the nominee for the Democratic Party.

This is why I am proud to be a Democrat. This party offers the ability for young activist who can register thousands of voters and change elections, the ability to directly shape the future of our nation. I do not know if the Republicans have 11% of their delegates under the age of 30 but we are representative of all members of the party, not just county chairs.

Thanks for allowing me to write this even though I may have been out too late parting.

Don Gibson is a UC Davis Student, President of College Democrats, and an elected Hillary Clinton Delegate to the Democratic National Convention. This article first appeared in the People's Vanguard of Davis, a progressive blog that covers mainly Yolo County but also some California news. It is republished with permission.