Looking for Unity

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz sent us his thoughts on last night's events in Denver a little earlier this morning. Here they are in full:

The highlights of the convention's third night were the speeches by Bill Clinton, John Kerry and Joe Biden, and Hillary's graciousness in moving to nominate Obama by acclamation at the beginning of the evening. Like Hillary, President Clinton strongly and unequivocally asked Democrats and all Americans to vote for Obama. Like Hillary, I'm sure some of the commentators and columnists will say it's not enough, but some of those people were the same ones that spent months tearing down Hillary in the first place. When the President spoke he was wildly applauded by probably every delegate, Clinton and Obama supporters alike. While the convention lasts only 4 days, it is clear that the effort to erase divsions and unify behind the nominee is succeeding. President Clinton convincingly laid out the key reasons why we must elect Obama over McCain. I think he did as good a job as he could have, and I am convinced that the support of the Clintons will be a key component to an Obama victory on November 4th.

I thought, as did most people with whom I spoke, that John Kerry was also a very effective part of the program. The comment I heard repeatedly was that he should have done that 4 years ago, meaning hit the Republicans hard on the issues. The 2004 campaign put the word "swiftboating" into the dictionary. From his speech Kerry appears to have finally learned the important political lesson of hitting back hard against the type of false and malicious attacks that Republican President campaigns typically unleash against the Democrats.

If it couldn't be Hillary, then I'm glad it was Joe Biden. That's what I thought when Obama named Biden as his running mate and that's what I think after last night. Vice Presidential candidates generally do not have a significant impact on the outcome of the election, but I do think that Biden's experience and his ability to fight hard will be important in what promises to be an extremely hard fought campaign. This decision by Obama in selecting Biden should instill in people confidence in his decision making abilities.

I know that many in the media are looking, perhaps hoping, to find a divided Democratic Party coming out of this convention. Sure, there will be some people to will not support Obama in the fall, but I am convinced that all of the talk of party divisions and disunity have been overstated by some of those looking for a story. Yesterday, I did what I said I would; I voted for Hillary, for whom I was sent to the convention to support by a large majority of the voters in my district. But I will be working hard to elect Obama and the entire Democratic team in November.

Delegates Released

Jeffrey Dinowitz on how he felt when his candidate, Sen. Hillary Clinton, released her delegates — him included — to vote for Sen. Barack Obama, if they wished, when it came time to name their constituents' choices for the Democratic nominee to the presidency:

At about 2 pm. Denver time Hillary released her delegates in advance of tonight's roll call. It's pretty hard to accept, but it's also time to move on. As she clearly demonstrated last night, she again spoke of the crucial reasons why we must elect Obama. She again showed her extraordinary grace and strength and again showed why she would have been a great president and is a public official without equal.

My vote at the convention is for Hillary Clinton. That is what I was overwhelmingly elected to do. That is what I want to do. And I will campaign hard for Barack Obama. As Kara, Eric and I walked from the Hillary delegates meeting back to the hotel we passed some of the right-wing extremist anti-abortion radicals, again demonstrating the need to make sure that John McCain is never in a position to appoint anyone to the United States Supreme Court.

Helen Morik on Hillary Clinton's speech

Late this morning, Helen Morik sent a rave review for the speech Sen. Clinton gave last night.

"[Last night] was amazing," she wrote. "Sen Hillary Clinton gave one of the most electrifying speeches ever delivered at a Democratic convention . . . she reinforced for those of us who supported her that she is intelligent and caring and an outstanding public servant . . . she convinced us that she is wholeheartedly supporting Barack Obama for President because it's the right thing for our nation."

"She exhorted us to get to work, move forward and work hard to elect Obama" at a combined party for the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida delegations where she, Bill and Chelsea shook hands with the crowd.

"It will be hard to have a better night," she added. "Both Bill Clinton and Joe Biden have to follow tonight . . . tough role for them."

Hillary's speech

This is my fifth convention. I have heard a lot of speeches. I will always remember the Ted Kennedy speech of 1980 as the best speech I’ve ever heard, until now. I always thought that maybe I’m just getting older and it’s harder to move me. Hillary disproved that last night.
I thought it was the best, the most effective and most moving speech I’ve heard, period.
Can there possibly be any skeptics left who believe that she is not 100 percent behind Barack Obama?
It was particular important to me that both of my children, Kara and Eric, were there with me, and especially meaningful that my daughter witnessed this on the 88th anniversary of the enactment of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote.
Hillary had to convince her supporters that we must back Obama. I did not need convincing, but I must admit that it was very difficult to come to the realization that Hillary’s campaign is truly over and the person who I still believe would have been a great president will not be president, at least for now.
I must also add, that although I thought the keynote speech by former Gov. Mark Warner was a dud, the Dems have many stars. Gov. Strickland, Gov. Patrick and especially Gov. Schweitzer of Montana come to mind. —Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz

More Details from Jeffrey Dinowitz

Mr. Dinowitz, who was — if you couldn't tell already — a very firm supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton in the primaries, sent us a little more detail on his take on yesterday's happenings at the DNC earlier this morning, but since we're pulling together the paper today, we haven't had time to post it until now.

Among other questions, our editor, Marie Villani-York, asked him if there was tension in the air between Ms. Clinton's die-hard supporters and people who supported the presumptive Democratic nominee, Barack Obama, from the beginning. She also asked him who was there from the Bronx.

He wrote:

Hillary spoke at the NY delegation breakfast yesterday. As usual, she was fantastic. She, of course, received an incredible ovation. She spoke and made it clear in strong and unequivocal terms that she supports Obama, wants him to be president and wants everyone who supported her to work as hard for Obama and they did for her. I'm sure no matter what she says or does there will be those who think she isn't doing enough for Obama and those who question her motives.

While the emotional highlight of last night was Sen. Kennedy speech — in fact his very appearance — I thought Michelle Obama was fantastic. It seemed to me, surrounded largely by Hillary supporters, that the enthusiasm for Obama may not be quite there yet. But we have three more days, and I'm sure that Hillary's speech tonight, President Clinton's speeach tomorrw, the actually roll call and finally Obama's acceptance speech on Thursday will go a long way toward energizing the party and launching the general election campaign. While I personally have had a hard time mustering the same feelings for Obama that I have for Hillary, I don't have the slightest problem working hard for him — as Hillary requested — as I would for her. After all, so much is at stake in stopping McCain. Supreme Court. Need I say more?

Is there tension? I don't know that I have felt any tension, certainly not in the New York delegation, but I think it is hard switching candidates when so many people have such a longtime attachment and relationship with another candidate.

The following elected officials are here from the Bronx:
Congressmen Eliot Engel, Jose Serrano, Joe Crowley; Assembly members Jeffrey Dinowitz, Aurelia Greene, Michael Benjamin, Jose Rivera and Naomi Rivera (I haven't seen Carmen Arroyo, but she is a delegate); state Sens. Ruth Hassell-Thompson; and Councilman Joel Rivera. I'm sure there are a few more.

I wasn't here at the time, but I was told that our hotel was invaded and vandalized by a bunch of anti-WTO/anarchists. I have seen lots of anti-abortion and anti-gay political activity in Denver as well. Frankly, I thought some of what I [saw] was disgusting.

Via West Bronx Blog's DNC coverage, we saw that Liz Benjamin of the Daily News reports that Naomi Rivera was hospitalized early this morning for severe abdominal pain.

As for the protesters, the Albany Times-Union has more.

Delegation breakfast

This morning’s breakfast for the New York State delegation was dedicated to women since it’s the 88th anniversary of the 19th amendment. Speakers included Michelle Paterson, the First Lady of New York; Louise Slaughter, an upstate congresswoman who has the distinction of being one of the longest-serving women; Janet Napolitano, the governor of Arizona (who was terrific); and Caroline Kennedy.
I didn’t get the opportunity to speak to Caroline and tell her that I was truly inspired by her father to get involved in my community more than 40 years ago and could identify with her being inspired by Obama.
I’ve interacted with Jeffrey Dinowitz who’s here with his son Eric and daughter Kara, Eliot Engel, Charlie Rangel, Mark Green and others who I’ll mention later ... now on to the women’s caucus and other meetings.
Incidentally, the weather is sunny and hot. Denver is a beautiful city. I hope to see more of it. —Helen Morik

Opening night

Last night's opening night for the Democratic National Convention was exciting, emotional, and gave us the right message.
Seeing Sen. Ted Kennedy in person gave everyone a boost. He exhorted the audience to get behind Barack Obama for a win in November. He told the crowd, many of whom were surprised to see him in person, that he wouldn't have missed it for the world.
The tribute to him was moving yet perfect.
Michelle Obama also electrified the crowd by talking about her background, her family and her belief in her husband.
I'm on to New York State delegation breakfast this morning with Caroline Kennedy appearing as the featured speaker and Hillary Clinton due tonight —Helen Morik

Michelle succeeds

Michelle Obama's speech was positively received by almost everyone.
I think she hit a home run. She did her job. It's all about the American Dream and parents struggling to give their children lives better than theirs.
She showed that the Obamas are no different than millions of other hardworking Americans. —Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz

On Ted Kennedy

The first time I was elected delegate to the Democratic National Convention was in 1980. I was a Kennedy delegate. At 25 I was one of the youngest delegates. Sen. Kennedy gave one of the greatest speeches I ever heard.

Tonight's speech was shorter but no less inspiring. The mere fact that he appeared at all was amazing. What a giant! I'm so glad my children Kara and Eric were here to be part of this.

Here's Ted's son, Congressman Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island shaking hands with me and others in the New York delegation. —Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz

Blog Launched!

As you can tell, Dispatches from the DNC is live, and we're awaiting our first reports from the Riverdale-area politicos who have agreed to contribute for us -- Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, a delegate, and Helen Morik, a City Council candidate going as a guest.

West Bronx News has a reporter on the ground in Denver thanks to the help of the New York Community Media Alliance and we're looking forward to reading his posts as well.