Convention Blog

Today’s the Day

Today, the American people will cast the final verdict on the last eight years of disastrous Bush policies. Today, we elect Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.

The leaders chosen to serve in Washington will make decisions that will impact the lives of you and your family during this time national economic uncertainty, and re-set the moral compass of our nation to be a source for healing and leadership in the world.

Over the last several months, Marylanders have made their way into our neighboring battleground states, on which the result of this election may very well rest. But we also take nothing for granted here in Maryland. We'll spend Election Day out at the polls throughout Maryland, encouraging voters to cast their ballot for change, and a new direction for America.

As you make your way to the polls this morning, be sure to bring your neighbor or family member so all eligible Marylanders participate in freedom's greatest privilege.

And while you're there, be sure to vote yes on Questions 1 and 2. Marylanders have a unique opportunity to affirm our commitment to open and accessible elections by voting for Question 1: Early Voting. Similarly, voters in Maryland can reaffirm our commitment to our future, by approving more than $660 million in slots revenue for our schools.

We hope to see you out at the polls today. Later tonight, as the results come in, join us at Bourbon Street Live, 316 Guilford Avenue in Baltimore, to celebrate victory!

For more information visit http://www.mddems.org

Working hard to get out the vote

Today, we've crisscrossed Philadelphia meeting enormous crowds of excited supporters ready to change the direction of our nation, and elect Senator Obama the next President of the United States.

After stops at area colleges and universities, including Temple, La Salle, and St. Joseph's, where literally thousands of students have showed their enthusiasm for Senator Obama, we're on to more Philadelphia area events this evening.  The excitement here is hard to put into words - so many students, parents, and working families eager for a new direction, and new leadership to take us there.

Tomorrow night will be an evening to remember, as this historic election culminates with the selection of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.

We're going late into the night tonight, to make sure every last undecided voter hears our message, and that every last Obama supporter makes it to the polls tomorrow.

Getting out the the vote in Pennsylvania

This week, the American people will make history, and cast the final verdict on eight disastrous years of Bush policy. This morning, we're spending the final hours before Election Day with Governor Rendell of Pennsylvania and many other enthusiastic volunteers and supporters, as we embark on a "Get Out the Vote" Bus Tour throughout the neighborhoods and suburbs of Philadelphia.

I'm looking forward to the crowds of enthusiastic Obama supporters that we've become accustomed to in the last several weeks.

Pennsylvania could very well be ground zero of the 2008 Presidential election, as many inside the McCain campaign have quietly admitted that the Presidency can't be won for them without carrying Pennsylvania. Marylanders have done their part to ensure an Obama victory here by loading busloads of volunteers to knock on doors in PA throughout the past several weeks.

And believe me, they've noticed! At every turn, we're greeted by thankful organizers, appreciative of the efforts that Maryland volunteers have contributed to winning Pennsylvania for Senator Obama.

Lt. Gov. Brown: History Has Been Made

I’m back in Maryland and I’m ready to get to work. Barack Obama has shared his vision for a new future with America and it is a future that we can all believe in.

His speech last night in front of 90,000 supporters was, in every sense, historic. As I sat with the Maryland delegation, on the 45^th anniversary of Dr. King’s ‘I Have a Dream Speech,’ this campaign and what it represents became very real. Barack’s speech was about something much bigger than him or our party – it was a speech about the United States of America. And it brought the City of Denver, the State of Colorado, the American Mountain West and the entire nation to their feet. I can’t wait to sit down with my kids, Rebecca and Jonathan, to tell them about it and I’m certain that when I have grandchildren, I’ll tell them about it, too.

This week, Democrats and Barack Obama have made the case that our party possesses the leadership that is required during difficult times. Our party’s leaders get it. We understand that both Democrat and Republican families are struggling to keep their gas tanks filled. We understand that Republicans and Democrats have lost jobs and health insurance. And we understand that the men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan are Americans first.

Barack was right last night. John McCain just doesn’t know. And what John McCain doesn’t know hurts working Americans. We need a President and Vice President who are ready to lead on Day One. We need a President and Vice President who have the judgment to steer us toward a New American Dream, as well as the open-mindedness to know that good ideas are good ideas no matter who thought of them first.

And during troubling, instable global times, we need a President and Vice President who have the experience to sit comfortably with foreign leaders as well as average Americans.

America is ready for change – that’s the greatest lesson I took from my time in Denver. Americans of all races, creeds, gender and sexual orientation have met the next President of the United States and his name is Barack Obama.

Thank you so much for joining me in Denver. I’m glad to be home and can’t wait to see you on the streets working to elect my law school classmate and our neighbor to the east.

History in the making

This has truly been a historic week in Denver that will culminate with Senator Barack Obama accepting the Democratic nomination for President of the United States tonight while millions watch across our nation and around the world.

The Democratic Party has always been a powerful, progressive force for America's working families, and tonight when Senator Obama accepts his party's nomination our Democratic Party will once again make history.

http://www.martinomalley.com/history

Barack Obama has challenged us all, regardless of our race, our class, or our place in this world, to join something much larger than ourselves.  He prefers an America that strengthens and grows our middle class and our family-owned businesses, and he believes in an America that is a force of hope, healing, and freedom in our world.

As Marylanders, and as Americans, we're all united in our belief that our tomorrows can indeed be better than our today, and we invite all Marylanders to be a part of this defining moment in our shared history.

http://www.martinomalley.com/history

Lt. Gov. Brown: Restoring America’s Promise

What a night! It’s been 12 hours since Barack joined Joe Biden on stage at the Pepsi Center, but folks are still fired up.

I said yesterday that Hillary set the stage for President Clinton and our next Vice President and I was right. Bill Clinton and Joe Biden hit all the right notes tonight. Bill Clinton gave one of the most inspired speeches of anyone’s lifetime. His strong endorsement of Barack Obama’s leadership brought the Pepsi Center to a new high.

Joe Biden had a tough act to follow, but he nailed it. His inspiring story is the American Dream. He's a father and grandfather and a public servant who has not been changed by Washington - but he'll undoubtedly change Washington as Barack's partner.

The most touching moment of the night, though, was the tribute to America's veterans - especially the young men and women returning today from Iraq and Afghanistan. Our party is the party that stands for veterans and military families. We created the GI Bill. We’ve fought to increase military pay. And when John McCain opposed a new GI Bill for a new generation of American heroes, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and the Democratic Party fought to give our troops the support they deserve.

Under President Obama and Vice President Biden, America will keep her promise to veterans and military families. It was a great honor to have had the opportunity to sit on the DNC Platform Drafting Committee and over the past three days, we have seen that platform – including our support for the brave men and women serving in uniform – articulated more clearly and with more passion than ever before.

We’re all gearing up for Barack’s acceptance speech tonight at Mile High Stadium. So far, every day has topped the day before so I’m looking forward to being a part of something truly historic.

There are watch parties across Maryland for tonight’s speech. I hope you’re able to make it to one and make history of your own.

Lt. Gov. Brown: Unity

I’d like to thank everyone for their heartfelt condolences during this difficult time in my family’s lives. As you may know, my cousin was murdered on Sunday. I was already in Denver when I got the news and flew home on the first flight I could to be with my family. The outpouring of support from friends and neighbors across Maryland has given all of us a great deal of strength.

While my family grieves the loss of Cathy, they also told me to go back to Denver and help make history – and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. 

I rejoined the Maryland delegation last night at the Pepsi Center about an hour before Hillary took the stage and it was great to be surrounded with so many close friends. And wasn’t Hillary great? Her enthusiastic endorsement of Barack showed us that Democrats truly are united by the values we share. We’re fired up.

She set tonight’s stage for Bill Clinton and Joe Biden. Folks out here in Denver are feeling even more united behind Barack Obama than ever before. 

The Convention’s energy carried itself into the night. Doug Gansler’s party at Gumbo’s was a celebration of the bright future we are all fighting for. Bobby Kennedy, Jr. addressed the crowd and said what we all know: four years of McCain will be four more years of the last eight.

I’m off to the Colorado Convention Center shortly and the Pepsi Center after that. I’ll check in again soon.

Lt. Gov. Brown: Excitement in the Mountain Air

Just landed and all I can say is, “Wow, Denver is a beautiful city!”  As I got off the plane and entered the terminal at Denver International Airport, the excitement was palpable.  Not only because of the teeming folks moving about the terminal but also because of the numerous smiling Democratic volunteers offering assistance to those of us arriving.

Folks have been buzzing about Joe Biden since I got to the airport in Baltimore, and why shouldn’t they? Did you see that rally? What a speech! Democrats (and Independents… and even some Republicans) are fired up about Team Obama-Biden.

I’m writing from my hotel room at the Renaissance Hotel staring a long way out at the Rockies and Downtown Denver and as I checked in, I had the opportunity to meet some of our Democratic friends from Massachusetts and the Stonewall Democrats. It doesn’t surprise me that two of the bluest states in the nation have found themselves the farthest from the epicenter of the Convention. (And it’s my understanding that we’ll being joining Governor Patrick and his fellow Massachusetts delegates in the nosebleeds at the Pepsi Center.) Regardless of where we are, this is going to be exciting from any distance and I'm thrilled to be here to be a part of history.

On my trip from the airport to the hotel, I couldn’t help but think about all of the historic, memorable events that are going to unfold this week; the first event being the unveiling of the Democratic platform.  I was so proud to serve on the drafting committee and to ensure that it contained language that would promote all Americans, especially our veterans.

I’m also thinking about the great speeches that we are going to hear starting with Michelle Obama tomorrow night. I’m sure that my fellow Harvard Law School alum is going to set just the right tone to kick-start the convention. My friend Senator Clinton is also scheduled to speak Tuesday night, marking the 88^th anniversary of the 21^st Amendment.

I’m off to reconnect with old friends and attend receptions with Democrats from across Maryland and across the country, including one here hosted by Rep. Cummings.

I’m happy that you will be joining the Governor and me behind the scenes during the course of this week.  I’ll be in touch.

Statement from Governor Martin O’Malley

I want to congratulate Senator Obama on his selection of Senator Biden as his Vice Presidential nominee.  In addition to the tremendous foreign policy credentials that Senator Biden brings to the Democratic ticket, he also has a deep knowledge of the issues important to families in Maryland and the Delmarva Peninsula.  

In Maryland, Senator Biden will be a critical ally and partner working with Senator Obama, the next President of the United States, as we work to restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay and expand opportunity for our families.

Senator Biden is a friend and colleague and I look forward to working with him in the months and years ahead to move our State and our Nation forward.

Go behind the scenes at the Democratic National Convention

Welcome to our special Democratic National Convention web site -- a project we've been working on to bring you closer to Denver and make you feel like you've got an all-access credential.

In addition to daily caucus and reception schedules, and exclusive blog posts from myself and Lt. Governor Brown, we'll upload exclusive videos to our new YouTube channel every day. They'll give you an in-depth look at what it's like to be a delegate to one of the most exciting conventions in a generation.

By subscribing to our new Twitter feed, you'll stay up-to-the-minute with text messages that we'll send throughout the convention. We'll send information about delegation events, the most exciting news from the convention floor, and other behind-the-scenes information you won't be able to get anywhere else.

We'll also be uploading exclusive photos from the convention floor and other Maryland delegation activities to our new Flickr account throughout each day.

At this year's convention, we share two humbling responsibilities. The first is to renew the timeless values that unite us and have made our party a powerful and progressive force for America's working families. The second is to choose the kind of strong leader that it will take to pick up the pieces of these disastrous last eight years and move us all forward again.

Senator Obama prefers an America that strengthens and grows our middle class and our family owned businesses. He believes in an America that is a force of hope, healing and freedom in our world; and Senator Obama has the intelligence, integrity and passion to make it so.

This is a defining moment in our shared history and we want you to be a part of it.

In a year that will likely be remembered as one of the most important in American history, it is truly an honor for Lt. Governor Brown and myself to join with Congressman Cummings, Attorney General Gansler and the entire Maryland Delegation to represent our great state and help Senator Barack Obama become the next President of the United States.