The Chronicle-Telegram

Alexia Romero Delegate for Barack Obama.

 

Friday, 8/29/2008 8 a.m. 

Today’s Ohio Democratic Party breakfast on August 29, 2008, was a special memorial as our delegation paid tribute to the Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones who recently passed away. Together as a delegation we celebrated the life and legacy of this incredible woman who proudly served the 11th congressional district. We laughed at stories shared by those who knew her best and cried during a tribute video created on her behalf.

Later, I eagerly walked over to Invesco Mile High Field and was seated on the football field by 1pm. I was excited to be just seven rows back from where Barack Obama would  accept the historical Democratic presidential nomination. I anxiously waited in the hot

Denver sun for hours until the event began at 3pm. However, the sunburn was well worthwhile. Olympic gold medal winner in gymnastics Shawn Johnson led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Jennifer Hudson, Oscar winning actress and singer, led us in singing the National Anthem.

 

The atmosphere was incredible; it was the largest gathering for a political event in American history with 85,000 plus people in attendance. The entire football stadium seating was filled and the state delegations sat on the field. It was a scene unlike anything I had ever experienced, with both entertainment and political figures headlining the program.

Entertainers Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder, Wycliff Jean, and John Legend performed for the excited crowd. My favorite entertainment of the night was by John Legend and Wycliff Jean performing “Yes We Can” It was so exciting for the crowd to hear live the song that swept over the nation with incredible popularity.

And in the political world, leaders such as Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, former Vice President and Noble Prize Winner Al Gore, Senator Joe Biden, and, of course, Senator Barack Obama spoke to the enthusiastic crowd. A few words of these speakers stuck with me. Governor Tim Kaine spoke of putting faith into action and the importance of leaders who serve others, highlighting Senator Obama’s service to the community of the south side of

Chicago . Former Vice President Al Gore spoke of the necessity of electing Senator Obama to ensure that the failed policies of the Bush Administration are not continued through Senator McCain. He joked, “I believe in recycling, but that’s ridiculous.” We cannot continue doing the same thing and expect a different result. Former Vice President Gore also emphasized the need for new sources of energy, saying that we have the technology for solar, wind, and geothermal energy if we would just lessen our dependence on foreign oil.

 

The most exciting moment of the night was when Senator Obama walked onto the stage. There were full grown men crying, police officers tearing up, and Congressmen choked up. It was a truly emotional moment as Senator Obama accepted the Democratic presidential nomination on the 45^th anniversary of the “I have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King Jr, and Senator Obama fulfilled the dream and gave a terrific speech.

He compared the policies of McCain with his, outlined what his changes would be, and inspired us all to go back to our communities and work hard to ensure his victory in November.

It was amazing to witness this historic moment in a crowd packed with those who believe that our country does still have hope for the future. Everyone, whether or not they were at Invesco Field or watching in various places all over the country, remember this day and where they were when a black man first accepted the nomination of a major political party. This is truly a proud day for all Americans.

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Thursday, 8/28/2008 8 a.m.

At Wednesday, August 27, 2008’s Ohio Democratic Party breakfast, I was able to hear Gov. Ted Strickland speak to the

Ohio delegation.

 

My sister, Carissa Romero, I and Joyce Beatty.

 

Frances Strickland, with my family, Carissa Romero, Joanette Romero and Richard Romero.

 

He told us how proud he was to be a Democrat and how important it is that

Ohio celebrate its diversity. It seems fitting that Ohio, the state that will decide the election in November, is a cross section of the nation, with both rural and urban communities, various religious organizations, and many different races and ethnicities.

 

Following his speech, I cast my official vote for Barack Obama’s nomination representing the 13^th Congressional district. It was an exciting moment for me being able to cast a vote for the future president’s nomination before even being able to vote for a president in a general election.

Next I walked over to the convention center for the Hispanic caucus where Michelle Obama talked. I was extremely excited to hear from Michelle Obama after she gave her magnificent speech Monday night.

She emphasized how important it is that we work on the campaign on the grassroots level through talking to our friends and families about why we support Barack Obama for the next president of the

United States . She said we need to emphasize that we do not have the privilege of being able to sit out this election for whatever reason because too much is at stake with the economy in shambles and our foreign relations broken.

 

Ohio cannot sit this one out if we want our economy rejuvenated through the new economic polities of Barack Obama.

 

Following the caucus, after a brief nap that was badly needed, I walked over to the

Pepsi Center with the

 

Ohio delegation for the roll call vote for the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. I was seated in the first few rows of the delegation and was in the center of it all, honored to be sitting next to Congresswoman Betty Sutton, Ohio Representative Joyce Beatty, and Ohio Senator Shirley Smith.

 

Ohio watched as each state announced who their delegates had voted for. Of course the most inspirational moment of the roll call was when the roll call went to

 

New York and Senator Hillary Clinton, in the spirit of unity, asked that the rules be suspended and Barack Obama be nominated for the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate.

 

The next monumental moment came when former President Bill Clinton came on stage to speak. The delegates, alternative delegates, and guests in attendance were so excited for him to speak that President Clinton could barely begin his speech over the screams of the delegations. However, once the crowd did quiet down, Bill Clinton gave some remarkable words of wisdom. He said we should not reward the Bush Administration who have ruined our economy through poor trade deals and hampered our foreign relations through forceful diplomacy by allowing four more years of the same failed policies. He said we need to say, “thanks, but no thanks.” He also offered some words of wisdom from his own presidency. He said that it was once said that he was too young and too inexperienced to be president, but he ended up being a great president creating 25 million new jobs and eliminating our national debt. He asked, “does this criticism sound familiar?” It seems they were wrong about President Clinton, and they are certainly wrong about Barack Obama. Former President Clinton stated, “Barack Obama is ready to be President of the

United States .”

 

Then Senator John Kerry spoke of the difference between candidate McCain and Senator McCain and how McCain’s positions have dramatically changed. Candidate McCain now states he would vote against his own immigration reform that he co-sponsored with Senator Ted Kennedy. Senator Kerry said, “Senator McCain should finish the debate with himself before he debates with Obama” Talk about a flip flopper!

Of course the highlight of the night was the acceptance speech of Senator Joe Biden for the Democratic vice presidential nomination. Senator Biden did an excellent job of explaining to the American people who he was and what he stood for by telling the heartbreaking story of the automobile accident that killed both his wife and son and his unbelievable commitment to his family by traveling each day after the Senate concluded back to Delaware to tuck his children in at night. He also spoke of his work for women creating the 1994 Violence Against Women Act to protect American women from the evils of domestic violence. Senator Biden was truly inspirational and succeeded in making a connection with the average American.

Following Senator Biden’s speech, Senator Obama made a surprise visit to the

Pepsi Center congratulating his running mate and making the convention center become hysterical with excitement and hope. This was not only an exciting day for me, but also a historic day that this country can take pride.

 

__________

Wednesday 8/27/2008 8 a.m.

Monday night was an inspirational night for all attending or watching the Democratic National Convention. Senator Ted Kennedy’s tribute and speech brought tears to the eyes of my section of the

Ohio delegation as he spoke of his commitment to the Democratic Party and how he is determined to be around for the passage of universal healthcare, an issue he has been a champion for his entire career.

 

Alexia Jr. Year

Senator Kennedy’s speech was a hard speech to follow, but Michelle Obama was able to connect with the nation and once again my section the

Ohio delegation was brought to tears. She spoke of her love for her family and the struggle of her father with cerebral palsy trying to make ends meet for his family. She certainly was able to relate to middle class families and make the case for her husband.

 

Tuesday, August 26, 2008 started once again for me at 8am with the Ohio Democratic Party’s breakfast where Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean spoke with pride of how our party is united, and he urged Democrats to tell our story and not allow the Republicans to brand us. Then Richard Trump of the AFL-CIO pledged to mobilize the unions to get out the message that Barack Obama will be a candidate for the working people.

Afterward I headed over to a luncheon hosted by Latino Leaders Network where former mayor of

Denver , Federico Pena, was honored for his work for the Latino community and the Democratic Party. A highlight of the event was meeting Pena. I also met the mayor of Los Angeles , Antonio Villaraigosa, Senator Kenneth McClintock of Puerto Rico, former

 

Clinton cabinet member of HUD (Housing and Urban Development), Henry Cisneros, and Eva Longoria Parker, a former Latino Leaders Network award recipient for her work in the Latino community.

 

Following the event I walked to the

Pepsi Center where Senator Clinton inspired her supporters to unite and work towards our common goals such as universal healthcare, the end of the war in

 

Iraq , and better access to higher education. My favorite line of the night by Senator Clinton was “no way, no how, no McCain.” She told her supporters that we have worked too long and hard to allow the Republicans four more years of failed policies, and I think it resonated with her supporters. Senator Clinton was poised, committed, and determined to not allow any more of the same. She fully supports Barack Obama! If there was any doubt that the Democratic Party will launch a successful, united campaign, Senator Clinton put those doubts to rest.

 

__________

Monday, 8/25/2008, 5:07 p.m.

Sunday was the start to an amazing convention for me. I flew out of the Cleveland airport for Denver, Colo. and was fortunate enough to have U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton as well as U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich on my flight. They, of course were more than happy to greet everyone on the flight in a down to earth, friendly way.

Later Sunday night was the kick off of the Democratic National Convention, and it began with an amazing concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The concert featured Sheryl Crow, the country band Sugarland and Dave Matthews. The concert was held to raise awareness about the environment and the opportunities that a new green economy will bring, including millions of new jobs. Each artist took the time to speak to the crowd about how they are going green and how important it is to elect a president who understands the growing threat of global warming. The event was certainly a great way to bring the party together and inspire delegates to “go green” and become passionate about our nominee, Barack Obama.

Today began for me with the Ohio Democratic Party breakfast at 8 a.m. sharp. While I was there I was able to meet some incredible people such as Ted Strickland, the governor of Ohio, and his wife, and was able hear Sen. Sherrod Brown and AFL-CIO leader, Leo Gerard speak. Sen. Brown encouraged the Ohio delegation to one by one encourage our family and friends to vote for change and support Barack Obama. Leo Gerard stressed the need for fair trade instead of free trade. He spoke of how enough is enough with $256 million in deficit to China.

Following the breakfast I went to the Convention Center for the Hispanic Caucus, where I ran into Ted Koppel, former ABC newscaster and was able to take a picture with him. The caucus featured Sen. Salazar, the first Hispanic Senator from Colorado as well as Sen. Mendez of New Jersey. Of course the highlight for me was seeing Sen. Hillary Clinton speak to the Hispanic caucus and thank Hispanic voters for their support. She spoke of unity within the party and how she would be forever grateful if her supporters worked as hard for Obama as they would’ve worked for her. After her speech I, as the youngest Latina delegate, was able to introduce myself to the Senator as a young, politically involved person from Lorain, Ohio!

Then I quickly took a cab to make it to a lunch reception for the Honorable Joyce Beatty, Ohio’s first African American female Democratic House Leader, and now I finally am taking a break in the hotel room before heading off to the Pepsi Center for the official opening of the convention.

__________

Sunday, 08/24/2008

My name is Alexia Romero, and I live in Lorain, Ohio. I am a 2006 graduate of Elyria Catholic High School.

I am 20 years old and a junior at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. I am a political science major and Spanish minor.

I am very proud to be an Obama delegate! I tied for first place as an elected delegate at the Ohio 13th Congressional Caucus in January 2008.

This is my first convention as a delegate, but not the first time a member of my family has been a delegate at the Democratic National Convention. My father, Richard, was a delegate in New York City in 1992 and in Chicago in 1996. My mother, Joanette, was a delegate in New York City in 1992. My older sister, Carissa, was a delegate in Boston in 2004.

I obviously have a very politically active family and I have been involved in politics my whole life. I have worked on many local campaigns in both Lorain city and county, and I was involved in Lorain County Young Democrats throughout high school serving as secretary and treasurer. More recently, this summer I interned with U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton in Washington, D.C.

I am the youngest Ohio Latina delegate to the convention. I am bilingual in English and Spanish. This fall semester I will be studying abroad in Costa Rica. However, due to the conflict between the Democratic National Convention and my study abroad arrival, I had to receive special permission to arrive late. I had to plead by case and make my argument, but was successful!

I can now both attend the convention as an elected delegate and study abroad.

 

 

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