Published: August 27, 2008 10:36 pm            

Valley residents have great seats to watch history

TERRE HAUTE — The Democratic National Convention has been everything Lynn Hamilton expected, and much more.

“You can’t believe the energy in [the Pepsi convention center] when you are there,” said the Sullivan County Democratic Party chairwoman, who also was a pledged Hillary Clinton delegate. “You can’t help but get caught up into the moment. It’s been wonderful.”

She spoke in a telephone interview Wednesday as she returned to the convention center, where she would later hear speeches by Sen. Evan Bayh, Sen. Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton.

The culminating event occurred when delegates formally delivered the party’s presidential nomination to Barack Obama, making him the first Black nominee of a major party.

Indiana delegates have good seats that are close to the stage at the Pepsi Center, Hamilton said.

On Monday night, she said she was touched by Sen. Ted Kennedy’s comments as he spoke of passing the torch to a new generation of Americans in November.

On Tuesday, Hamilton was inspired by the words of Hillary Clinton, who urged her supporters to show party unity and cast their votes as delegates to Obama.

“The whole thing has just been amazing for me. If you’re a political junkie like I am, it’s where you want to be,” said Hamilton, 59.

It’s Hamilton first opportunity to attend a national party convention, and there have been some unexpected surprises.

On Tuesday night, movie director Spike Lee sat down beside her during the convention. Television cameras converged on him, and Indiana delegates shook his hand and had photos taken with him.

“I took the pictures,” Hamilton said.

Lee wore a basketball T-shirt in which Obama was slam-dunking a basketball with John McCain’s picture into a net.

Tuesday morning, Hamilton and other Indiana delegates had breakfast with Sen. Evan Bayh, who had hoped to become Obama’s choice for vice president.

“He gave a wonderful speech” to the Indiana delegates, Hamilton said. Bayh said he was disappointed not to be chosen, but everything happens for a purpose, he told them.

According to Hamilton, he told delegates that “God makes a path for you,” and some day, maybe he will have that opportunity to serve in a higher office.

Hamilton, paraphrasing Bayh’s comments, said that Biden had called Bayh and told him, “Evan, you still have a few years ahead of you, but my time is running out.”

For now, he’s proud to be a U.S. senator from Indiana, he told Hamilton and other Hoosier delegates.

Bionca Gambill, Linton Township trustee and an Obama delegate, described Monday evening’s speeches as moving and emotional.

“It was emotional because there is so much at stake here,” she said. Obama and McCain differ greatly on important policy issues.

Gambill said it was especially moving to hear Sen. Ted Kennedy, who is undergoing treatment for a malignant brain tumor. “He said would be there [at the nation’s capital] in January to see Barack Obama take office,” Gambill said.

Reacting to Hillary Clinton’s Tuesday night speech, Gambill said, “I thought she did an outstanding job” in showing strong support for Obama and in urging her delegates to do the same.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.



Watch History

• Tonight, when Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination, Hoosiers will gather at more than 180 convention watch parties across the state to watch the historic moment.

• Campaign for Change supporters will be hosting a watch party beginning at 9 p.m. at the Terre Haute Obama headquarters at 509 Wabash Ave.

• Obama’s acceptance speech, expected to start about 10 p.m., will be projected on the outside of the building. Popcorn and lemonade will be served.

        

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