Denver, Here I Come!

American Flag

Last night I learned that I have been selected as an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention. That's right! I am going to Denver!

Back in 2004, when Democrats took over Boston for the last nominating convention, my eyes were glued to the television and I thought, "I wish I could be there." Of course, no moment of that event captured my attention as when Barack Obama, not yet elected as a US Senator delivered the keynote address.

But despite wanting to be there in person, to experience first hand the excitement and mayhem that is a nominating convention, after the 2004 election I didn't give it a whole lot of thought.

Skip ahead to December of 2007. I've been watching the campaigns unfold, eager to see who would emerge as the leader. Back then I'd decided that I wasn't going to choose a candidate until a nominee emerged. (Oh how little did I know!) I'm at a Christmas party, when I notice three of my friends are wearing Obama stickers. At that point, Senator Obama was the candidate I was leaning toward, so I asked them about the stickers. One of my friends told me she was helping to head up the local campaign. "Awesome," I replied. "I've been thinking about getting involved."

Do you know that look that people who are looking for volunteers get when someone suggests that they may be interested in helping out? Having volunteered with many organizations at different times in my life, I'm well accustomed to that look. It was then that I knew I was part of Team Obama.

January 3, 2008. The local Obama campaign members are gathered in front of a television, watching the Iowa caucus play out. I'd never watched a caucus in action before. This was an entire side of politics I couldn't have imagined. It was crazy, maddening, and beautiful all at the same time. The results came in, and Obama had won the state.

Wow, I thought. This guy may actually have a chance.

That night, the same friend who had recruited me told me how to become a delegate. Applications were due that month, and me, being the procrastinator that I am, waited until the deadline.

I filled out a district-level application, and an at-large application, pledging my support for Obama.

The following weeks were a flurry of campaigning. Phone calls. Canvassing. Meetings. A trip to South Carolina. More wins. A loss or two. I didn't actually vote on Super Tuesday because Tennessee has early-voting. Rest assured though, I did vote!

Obama didn't win Tennessee, but due to the nature of the Democratic nominating process, he still won delegates in the state. I first attempted to become a district-level delegate, by attending the county delegate nominating convention. At the county-level, so many delegates are selected to go on to the actual district nominating convention. From there, national delegates are selected to go onto the national convention. Senator Obama had only one spot available in our district, and my chances were slim-to-none.

I didn't get it.

However, at-large delegates were still needed. These delegates could be from anywhere in the state, and again were based on the percentage of the vote that the candidate took. There were six at-large positions available, and the meeting for that took place on Saturday. The state party's executive branch decided those, and again, I did not get a spot.

But! I did become an alternate delegate! This means that I will be going to the Democratic National Convention, but chances are I will not be voting. Instead, I will be there in case one of the actual delegates is unable to attend a roll-call, or a vote. It may not be as cool a job as actually voting for my candidate, and there expenses to think about travel arrangements to be made, all sorts of things to worry about soon enough.

For now, I know this convention is sure to make history and I will be there to witness it all, in person.

Yes, I am excited!