Local delegates give opinion on Obama speech”Amazing” and “spectacular” were the initial descriptions given by two local delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Denver who heard the historic speech given by U.S. Sen. Barack Obama in accepting the Democratic presidential nomination.
Fayette County Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites and Greene County Commission Pam Snyder were part of the crowd of 84,000 people gathered at Invesco Field to hear Obama accept his party’s nomination. The historic event, in which the first African-American was chosen as a Presidential candidate, was on the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech.
“It was amazing and was the largest crowd I’ve ever seen,” Vicites said.
Vicites said it was most likely the largest convention crowd since 1960 when John F. Kennedy accepted the nomination in Los Angeles.
“It was completely filled. It was really electrifying,” Vicites said.
Snyder said it was “spectacular” to see 84,000 people to stand in line for hours to hear Obama’s speech. She added that his message was on target.
“His speech was awesome and it proved he is not afraid of the issues,” Snyder said. “We’ve got serious problems and they need serious solutions.’
Snyder said during his speech Obama touched upon many important issues for Americans, including health care, the environment, the creation of jobs, ending our dependency on foreign oil, concluding the war in Iraq and bringing the troops home.
“I thought the speech was well done. He really put the issues out there and basically challenged the direction in which the country is going and stressed why we need change. I think there still many problems facing working class people and only way improve problems get country back on track is to elect a Democratic President,” Vicites said. “We have to change what we’re doing. We’ve seen eight years of decline and the middle class has been hurt badly. We need a change.”
Both Vicites and Snyder were elected to attend the convention as delegates for Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York.
While they both left Denver, they were behind Obama, although during the convention, they took different routes to get there.
While Vicites was one of a handful of delegates to cast a vote for Clinton, Snyder voted for Obama.
“I voted for Hillary when I cast my ballot. I feel I had to be the voice of the 25,000 people who voted for her, but I will support the Democratic ticket in November,” Vicites said.
In explaining his Clinton vote at the convention, Vicites said he wanted to bring closure to his campaign.
“I did my job and now I’m going to support the Democratic ticket on Nov. 4 because we need change in this country,” Vicites said.
Vicites said he got the chance to meet Joe Biden, the vice presidential candidate from Delaware, and impressed with him because he has Pennsylvania and working class roots.
Also, Vicites said Biden used to be a county commissioner. “He said to me, ‘that’s a tough job you have.’ That was a thrill,” Vicites said.
Snyder said Clinton released her delegates and told her delegates to vote for Obama. “I cast my vote for Barack. I did what Hillary did,” Snyder said.
Vicites said at the delegate meeting, Clinton met with all delegates said released them and told them to delegates use their judgment, but added that she was voting for Obama.
Vicites said he though Clinton gave a fabulous speech Tuesday night and she really was gracious and stressed the need to elect a Democratic president. “Her main goal is to unify the party,” Vicites said.
Both Vicites and Snyder said as the days wore on during the convention, party unity began to grow.
Vicites, who was attending his third Democratic convention, said he noticed a lot of young people at this year’s convention.
“The Democratic Party is very diversified with people from all walks of life. There was a lot of exicitement there’s a lot of work ahead,” Vicites said.
“I feel I did the right thing by supporting Hillary and now can go from here and work hard Everybody has to make individual choices,” Vicites said.
He thanked the people of Fayette County for giving him the opportunity to make their voices heard. However, he said in the end only about 10 people cast a vote for Clinton.
Clinton and Obama were involved in a close race for the nomination, with Clinton winning Pennsylvania and posting an overwhelming victory in Fayette County over Obama.
“I think it’s very important we have a Democratic President and I’m supporting Obama and Biden,” Vicites said. “I can go forward from here.”
“I think I understand the need for change even more and what the issues are after attending the convention. People have to decide if want change or more of the same kinds of policies,” Vicites said.
Reacting to Friday’s news that apparent Republican candidate John McCain had chosen Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, Snyder said the only way to solve American’s problems is by putting Obama in the White House.
“This election is not about race or gender, it’s about the issues that are important to this county. I hope people understand that,” Snyder said.
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