Democrats Invite "Invisible" Americans

The Audacity of Hope…

“It's the hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores… the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too. Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope!”

-Barack Obama (2004 Democratic Convention)

Hope is a funny thing really. Even when faith is fleeting and reality points in a different direction – hope remains. Past the point of frustration, when our heads are already hung in defeat, hope still lives. When we are weary, hope wipes our brow, cleans our wounds and pushes us forward. But, hope is abstract -- usually.

There's something inspiring and uplifting about the Democratic Convention this time. Hope has become something tangible. I’ve watched hope pool in the eyes of an old woman as Hillary Clinton spoke. I saw hope creep ear-to-ear across the face of a young black boy in South Carolina when he saw all the fanfare surrounding Barack Obama. I saw hope energize and pump life into a 76-year-old brain cancer patient on the stage in Denver.

These days, hope is no longer a privilege; it’s a necessity for many. Historically, we as a country are only as strong as our working class. We build our cities with their hands and entrust our continued success on the foundation of their backs. Those hands are blistered and bleeding, those backs – breaking. Can hope be so brazen as to save them?

This convention seems like an open house-- an invitation to sit at the table and drink freely of this thing called hope. Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton -- so bold as to invite gay men and lesbian women to the feast. Is hope so brave as to include the ostracized?

History will always hold a sacred place for the Presidential Race of 2008. It’s the year a black man and a woman battled for a nomination. We’ve come a long way. That is hope materialized. It’s the hope of my great grandmother who wasn’t allowed to drink in “white only” water fountains in Louisiana. It’s the hope of the women who struggled and marched for suffrage.

But, this is not a hope that disenfranchises white men. This is a hope that is inclusive. Hope is apparently audacious enough to have an aristocratic white senator from a famous family, a bold and outspoken woman and a half-black junior senator stand hand-in-hand together. No longer fighting for equality, but fighting to lead the country as equals. Across the aisle is a black woman serving as Secretary of State. I have to believe that this is the answer to a prayer my great grandmother uttered over my infant head many nights -- a world where we are so close to complete equality. Democrat, Republican or Independent, there is no denying, we are at an amazing place in history.

I think undecided voters or fence-sitters who tuned into the Democratic Convention were energized. They were told – “come and take a seat at my table.” Clinton called them the “invisible.” They are the misunderstood legal Hispanic immigrant, the gay couple wanting to marry, the soldier afraid of another tour of duty and the working class father with the aching back and empty wallet. I know all these people and they are looking for hope -- where will they find it?

People living their lives in the margins were invited this week to have a voice. If they exercise that newly obtained voice in November, it could be the push the Democrats need in this close race.

The GOP has a tall order to fill next week. But, I do believe John McCain is a man who has the best intentions for this country that he loves. Can they hold an as affective convention? Well, the audacity of hope is not exclusive to Democrats – so time will tell.

How Ted Kennedy Changed My Life

While everyone else in the world blogs about Michelle Obama tonight, I’m going to spend some time on a man who is possibly collectively the most effective man in the history of the Senate – Ted Kennedy.

So many bash Kennedy, but his draft marks are evident in the blueprint of this country. He came at a time when this nation needed men like him most. He fought for human rights and equality. He continues doing so, being bold enough to include gay men and women in his speech tonight.

Did he make mistakes - yes. He faced controversy and tragedy as frequently as he enjoyed his privilege and always rose to the occasion in both disaster and delight.

I will be the first to admit that I was one those people teary-eyed while I watched the last of the Kennedy boys take the stage in Denver tonight. With his brain cancer, this very well could be his last convention and the tribute to this great man was quite fitting.

I will always be a defender of Teddy Kennedy, not only as a prolific politician but as a fine human being. You see, I have a personal story with the senator and it changed my life. I owe a great deal of who I am to the senior senator from Massachusetts.

I first met Ted years ago as a cub reporter in a little Louisiana town. He was at the Louisiana Political Museum to induct a relative of his wife. We didn’t normally get such important dignitaries in our little corner of the world.

When the Senator pulled up at the event, I was the only reporter outside. My photographer called my attention to his arrival and I stood there stunned. How could I ever walk up to a Kennedy and ask for an interview? He is a part of Camelot. His brothers are John and Robert Kennedy. American history was standing in front of me. I was afraid to bother him.

Senator Kennedy looked over at me and smiled. He started walking toward the entrance; paused and turned to me. He quietly whispered, “would you like to talk to me?” He let me off the hook.

We finished up the interview and he shook my hand and told me “good job… good questions.” My life as a reporter changed in that moment. Ted made himself available and taught me that he was just like me -- human. He was willing to stop his entrance to talk to the young reporter who was shy and a little out of place. In that moment he gave me permission to be bold -- to make moves.

It was because of Ted Kennedy that I was able to march up to Bill Clinton with a microphone and interview him while his handlers where trying to move him along. It is because of Ted Kennedy that I am able to hold the mighty accountable on a daily basis. He taught me that public servants are here to serve the public. One of the most heralded men in politics took time to teach a “kid” from Louisiana.

So, no matter what they say about him, he will always hold a special place in my heart. I will never forget that night and if one day I must hold him accountable for some wrong doing or odd vote, I know that I can. I know that he would expect nothing less from that young man he whispered to all those years ago.

Thank you Senator Kennedy.

Tribute video that aired during the convention

Sen. Kennedy's Speech

Now back to the convention and Michelle Obama.