Happy Hillary Supporters: What the Mainstream Media Is Not Reporting

As the mainstream media continues to relentlessly discuss disunity at the Democratic National Convention, at least two convention attendees are wondering why. "To tell you the truth, the crowd was kind of quiet before Hillary's speech," remarked Arizona delegate Pat Cannady, who was seated near Michelle Obama. "The feeling in the convention hall was hopeful and happy but honestly, there wasn't a huge amount of buzz going on."

From the top tier of the Pepsi Center, graduate student Erin Cheuvront was even more confused. "I know the major news broadcasts are spending a lot of time talking about disunity, but all of us here are seeing just the opposite." Cheuvront gave an example. "We're way up in the last few rows, and even though we're not seen on camera the organizers are really good about making sure we have signs. They passed out the Hillary signs, everyone took them. Then I spotted the giant blue signs that said 'Unity.' When I went to get one of those, I was absolutely mobbed. Everyone wanted one of those." In her role as a convention 'super-volunteer', Cheuvront spent part of Tuesday assisting members of the disability caucus, many of whom sported Hillary buttons. All she found was happy people. "There's just no animosity. Nobody's angry, there's no discontent. Her supporters just want her efforts recognized. And they're getting that." Cheuvront called Senator Clinton's speech a success, for everyone at the convention. " The speech was awesome. She nailed it."

While the press focused exclusively on the speech by Hillary Clinton, both attendees spoke of other highlights. Cannady, a veteran Democratic activist who was a "Kennedy Kid" in high school, enjoyed Hillary's speech very much but (not surprisingly) the Arizona delegate from Tucson saved her greatest praise for her own governor. "Janet Napolitano was fantastic!" Cannady exclaimed, "She did a super job, we were so proud of her!" Cheuvront, a graduate student studying Political Management at Suffolk University in Boston, had high praise for Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana. "He just rocked the place," she said, "We all loved his down-home demeanor."

These first-time convention goers continue to be impressed with the diversity of the people they've met at the organized events. Although Cannady was disappointed by the lack of foresight displayed at yesterday's EMILY's List function ("no chairs, and with the number of elderly people in attendance that was just poor organization") she's looking forward to volunteering as part of today's Day of Service, where she'll be preparing lunches for Meals on Wheels. As she works at various locales around the convention, Cheuvront's been glad to see such a strong representation of faith-based groups; she spoke warmly of her interaction with RCRC, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (their motto: 'Pro Faith, Pro Family, Pro Choice').

With each day, Cannady and Cheuvront are becoming more and more convinced this is a truly united party. But should those media-hyped McCain supporters (or those not voting at all) actually materialize at the convention, Cannady is ready with a message. "If you're one of these people who says they're not going to vote for anyone for president because their candidate didn't get chosen, then you shouldn't be here. I have nothing but respect for Independents, but this is the Democratic National Convention. We're Democrats here." Cheuvront just doesn't think they're here, period. And again, the popularity of signs is what convinced her. "The one sign we couldn't get our hands on was the red one, that said 'McCain More of The Same.' " And just in case anyone doubted it, Cheuvront added one last emphatic note. "Nobody here is voting for McCain. Absolutely nobody."

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Comments

[mjc]

Think the silence was more or less a tribute to Hillary Clinton. Most of her delegates knew it was an impossible dream now, the Party standing firm against her almost from the beginning but certainly in the planning and execution of the Convention. Hope Hillary just refuses to do too much for Obama; he certainly doesn't deserve it.

[JonRaymond]

The disunity isn't in Denver. It's not from the delegates. It's the millions of scorned, heartbroken, betrayed and disenfranchise Hillary voters that will bring down Obama. Hell hath no fury.