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Lots Said, Little to Say
Posted on August 31, 2008 by mvahey
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August 31, 2008
Lots Said, Little to Say
Obama’s speech on Thursday night at Invesco Field is already considered a monumental speech of this millennium. Many people have explained that Obama’s speech was perfect because it refuted all the claims Republicans would make; one of my favorite lines was, “this campaign was never about me, it was always about you.” Others have said it was too focused on the issues for the occasion, especially since his strong point has been inspiring rhetoric. I am positive thee speech was definitely a different experience on T.V., because when I got back to the hotel and saw it on CNN, there was the whole aspect of the crowd’s energy missing. Being at Invesco for the speech, from 1 until 9:30 was amazing; it has really left me speechless trying to describe it. With an American flag and “Change” poster handed out to almost everyone, after each inspiring line the crowd erupted. It is hard to remember the exact details of the speech, though it now can be seen online, I remember the crowd and the energy of 84,000 people supporting Obama.
It was also exciting to see Bill Richardson who I was sad to see bumped on Wednesday. He did well and energized the crowd. It was also fun to see Stevie Wonder and 84,000 people singing and dancing along to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” Overall one of the best things of being at Invesco Field was feeling the energy and the excitement of thousands of people ready for “Change”.
-Maddie
The Future and Foreign Policy
Posted on August 28, 2008 by mvahey
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August 27, 2008
The Future and Foreign Policy
The JSA arranged speakers were very interesting and made diverse points. Our first two speakers were faculty speakers who worked together on “The Race Project.” During their speech, they explored how the “race card” had been used in the primary and general elections. The next faculty speaker spoke about the importance non-verbal communication in rhetoric. Our next speaker was Peter Fenn President of Fenn Communication Group. He showed a couple of the campaign ads and discussed with us their target; one of his most interesting points was that Obama’s intelligence and complexity maybe hurting him in his effort of communication; Fenn explained the Republicans connected to many middle class voters because they take a simple message and revolve around it. Our next speaker was a pollster for the Obama campaign, Joel Benson. He stressed that as a pollster he didn’t just “test the temperature of voters,” polled them in order for Obama to best formulate his message. The next speaker was Governor Joe Manchin of West Virginia, also the chair of the Democratic Association Governors. Governor Manchin focused on what my generation needs to do to continue to be a competitive country; the most import issues he thought we needed to face by 2025 were healthcare and energy independence. After lunch, Andrew Romanoff the Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives spoke. I really enjoyed him because was personable and sincere; he told a few stories of how he began his campaign and then took questions on running and his position. After Romanoff, I left the Cable Center to pick up a credential for tonight, again from Andrew Athay.
Today’s focus at the convention was foreign policy and the military. Many of the speakers made testimonies to the importance of taking care of veterans once they come home. Speakers also talked about taking troops out of Iraq responsibly, but making stronger for the war in Afghanistan, the real center of terrorism. Other speakers were anti-Bush and McCain because of their unilateral action and loss of allies and respect in the international community. Many speakers emphasized Obama would improve America’s standings in the world by engaging in diplomatic discussions with enemies. It was extremely exciting and interesting to see Secretary Madeleine Albright speak, who highlighted strong alliances for a strong America. I also enjoyed Evan Bide of Indiana because energized the crowd against McCain because his foreign policy was extremely similar to Bush’s. Of course Bill Clinton was another highlight; there were many things I liked about his speech, especially his explicit support for Obama, humor, and hope in returning America to a widely expected nation. My favorite line of his speech was America should lead through the “power of our example, not example of our power.” I was also happy to see John Kerry do so well in energizing the crowd and also pointing out McCain’s changed positions. It was interesting to see the nomination process of Joe Biden as Vice President, led by Nancy Pelosi. When Biden spoke I, especially enjoyed his stories of his mother and the morals she taught him. I am glad to see him as the nominee because of his foreign policy experience which he also mentioned in his speech. It was a fun surprise when Obama came out, and I am looking forward to see them work together during the general election campaign.]
The one thing that was very disappointing was the fact Governor Bill Richardson was bumped because of a time crunch, though he was planned to speak. I was looking forward to hearing him speak because of his foreign policy experience. I thought perhaps some of the testimonies could have been cut to make room for Governor Richardson.
-Maddie
Change
Posted on August 27, 2008 by mvahey
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August 26, 2008
Change
This morning was a little later wake up call, 7:15 on the buses. The arranged speakers through JSA at the cable center were interesting and energetic. Our fist speaker was Monica Yancey, who is a professor at the University of New Mexico. Last year at JSA Summer School at Princeton Ms. Yancey was my speech communication professor. Ms. Yancey began with a discussion about if it was okay to vote for Hillary Clinton because she was a woman. The rest of her speech was based of this discussion and gender in presidential campaigns. The next arranged speaker was Senator Bob Graham of Florida. Senator Graham was also at the Harvard Institute of Politics luncheon yesterday. His focus was on getting people actively involved in politics. Though I do not know her name because she was not on our schedule, our next speaker was one of the best. She was a member of the New York State Assembly representing Long Island. Though she is a politician, she seemed very sincere, but also funny, and explained she was telling the truth when answering controversial questions. She focused on the ethics of rising to power and emphasized that the position is the power, not you the person. Our next speaker was George McGovern. He was most proud of his delegate reform, thus delegates now better represent their region’s diverse population.
The next big event was the Convention. Andrew Athay was again extremely nice and got me a credential to the night’s events. Though I could list all the speakers, they all had similar emphases though there were a few highlights. The focus of the night was anti- McCain because he was so similar to Bush, thus his policies would continue; speakers then shifted to Obama because he was the change America needs. Many speakers also focused on Obama’s support of new energy independence; becoming less reliant on foreign oil, but bringing jobs to the U.S. through new modes of energy. The third focus was strengthening the middle class through tax cuts and increased influence in the Oval Office. The first highlight was the keynote address, Mark Warner, Governor of Virginia. He spoke of the untapped potential of Americans to change America for the future. The next highlight was Governor Deval Patrick who spoke anti-McCain and anti-Republican, but also pro-Obama and democrat because he would bring change. He explained people should not only vote for Democrats because the Republicans were bad, thus he looked to highlight the difference between McCain and Obama, something he said was important at the Harvard Luncheon. Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana was a big highlight because he got the audience very excited and interacting. He focused on the need for new energy independence, which could only begin to be achieved by Obama, not McCain. The final highlight was Hillary Clinton. One of my favorite parts of her speech was when she said, “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuits” because she was wearing an orange pantsuit. The focus of her speech was declaring her support for Obama, which was important, as well as representing those who were not often spoken for, everyday people suffering. I think it was most important that Clinton clearly declared her support for Obama.
-Maddie
The FIrst Day of the Experience
Posted on August 26, 2008 by mvahey
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August 25, 2008
The First Day of the Experience
After a late night, we had to wake up to be ready to leave at 5:30 am. We loaded on buses to go to our state delegation breakfasts. At the Massachusetts breakfast, the students from Massachusetts mingled and spoke with the delegates. Our two goals of the breakfasts were to network with the delegates that represent our state and also hopefully gain credentials to go to the convention that night. I met a many interesting delegates, but none had an extra credential for me.
After the state breakfast we went to the Cable Center at Denver University to listen to speakers JSA had arranged. Our first speaker was Mary Pearl Compton, a member the West Virginia House of Delegates. She had been to the past six conventions, but believed this one will be the most historic. She also stressed that all politics is local; all parts of our lives are affected by the decisions of politicians. Next we had a delegate panel with five delegates from different areas. These delegates explained how they became elected delegates through the primaries and answered questions.
For lunch I was luck enough to be invited to the Harvard Institute of Politics luncheon on the Five Things You Should Know About the Youth Vote. I was invited by Concord Resident John Della Volpe, who is the Director of Polling at the Harvard Institute of Politics. Deval Patrick gave a speech on what he thinks the party needs to do; his three main points were: Democrats need to talk about why they need to win, make the campaign personal and grassroots, and bring together the many people who do not consider themselves of either party. Governor Patrick, there was a panel from the Institute of Politics that spoke about the increasing importance of the youth vote. The first panelist began to poll college students when she was a sophomore at Harvard; after 9/11 she noticed a big increase in the youth’s trust in government and involvement in politics because it hit closer to home. The next panelist was Mr. Della Volpe who had many graphs and charts showing the youth’s increased involvement since 9/11; he attributed this increase to a big change in attitude that politics became important to the youth vote, mobilization was easier with better mechanics of voter registration, and the spread of technology to reach the youth vote. The third panelist is now a student at Harvard and explained the five things you should know about the youth vote.
After this luncheon we returned to the Cable Center to hear the arranged speakers. Though I missed the beginning speakers because of the luncheon, I did hear Representative Frank Pallone of New Jersey. He hopes the campaign will focus more on the issues rather than personalities; he also thinks Obama needs to go more negative on McCain and make the stronger connection of the current president. After Representative Pallone I received a call from my aunts close friend, Andrew Athay, who is a close friend of Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico. Governor Richardson actually has close ties to Concord; he went to Middlesex and played baseball there and his wife grew up in Concord. Andrew was able to give me a credential for the convention tonight, thus I was able to watch the speakers from second floor.
After going through many security check points and arriving at the Pepsi Center, we headed to the second floor. Though we were a little late, the first speaker we saw was Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. He was inspired by Obama, and created an atmosphere of excitement. Below me were the state delegations, marked with the state signs. The next speaker was Caroline Kennedy who fondly introduced the tribute to her “Uncle Teddy.” The documentary talked about Kennedy’s focus as a senator as well as his involvement with Obama. After the documentary, Senator Ted Kennedy actually came out to speak. Kennedy signs had been handed out and the entire convention was very excited to see him speak. He focused on supporting Obama to bring change to America, especially in health care. The next speakers Jim Leach and Senator Clair McCaskill also spoke in support of Obama to bring change and unite America. The next speaker was Craig Robinson, Michelle Obama’s brother; after a short video on Mrs. Obama’s childhood, her brother came to speak in support of his sister as well as her husband. As the basketball coach at Oregon State University, he gave an analogy of Obama’s basketball game being the same as what he does as a politician. Next Mrs. Obama spoke; an important part of her speech was the compassion and lasting influence of her diseased father as well as the importance of her daughters and husband. Next their two daughters came on stage and Barack came in on the video screen live from Kansas City. The last two speakers seemed to work to show Obama as a family man. Though I had to leave after Mrs. Obama, it was a great, excited atmosphere in the convention.
-Maddie
Biden and Arrivin’
Posted on August 25, 2008 by mvahey
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August 24, 2008
Vice President Pick
I think Senator Joe Biden as Obama’s Vice President (VP) is a solid choice. As all of the news shows have said Biden brings foreign policy experience and connection to the middle class. After hearing many stories of Biden he seems to very much one of the people, one of the only senators who is not a millionaire, had to take out a second mortgage on his house to pay for his sons college tuition, and commutes back to Delaware every night. Many people cannot relate to Obama because he grew up in Indonesia, went to Harvard, but people can relate to Biden as well as believe in Obama’s message. Biden is also the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, thus he brings foreign policy many voters worry Obama is missing. I was in support of Governor Richardson as VP because he brought foreign policy experience in a time when America needs to work on its global relations. Polls also show about 27% of Clinton supporters saying they will vote for McCain, I hope they will see that though they are frustrated Clinton was not picked, they will also see Obama supports many policies Clinton did, thus they agree with his policies. Though some people argue Biden was not the right choice because he is not the “new” politics Obama is working towards, I believe it will be good for the Obama campaign because people will be able to relate to the Democratic ticket as well as have faith in Biden’s foreign policy experience.
Arriving
I have also arrived in Colorado. Here it is two hours behind. So when I arrived in Denver at 2:20 it was actually 4:20 in Boston. From Logan I flew to North Carolina. At my gate in Charlotte there were many Obama supporters flying out to Denver. I saw pins of all kinds:
· “Obama: Change You Can Believe In”
· “Steelworkers for Obama”
· “We Love Michelle”
· “Women for Obama”
When I arrived at the JSA checkpoint, I felt a little unenthusiastic; many of the students were wearing their Obama pins and t-shirts. But I am excited to purchase my own t-shirt to support Obama. Though I do not know the exact schedule, I am open and excited to feel the atmosphere at the convention tomorrow.
- Maddie
Getting Ready
Posted on August 22, 2008 by mvahey
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Hello,
Well I’m getting ready to leave for Denver! I have packed five business outfits and casual clothes for night at the hotel.
I am excited to meet my roommate for the week, and the other students selected to attend the DNC. The great thing about Junior Statesmen of America (JSA) is that the students who participate are very much like me, interested in politics, thus we can make political jokes and laugh with each other.
I am excited for the atmosphere of the convention and anticipating the announcement of Obama’s VP! I have signed up to receive a text message when the VP is announced!!
Next time I post, I will be in Denver with more relay!
-Maddie Vahey
Inside the DNC
Posted on August 20, 2008 by clecesse
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It’s been a while since we’ve known that Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has clinched the Democratic presidential nomination, but it doesn’t make the upcoming Democratic National Convention any less exciting. And when Obama stands before his peers in Denver to make his nomination speech, Concord resident and CCHS sophomore Maddie Vahey will be there.
Maddie, 15, has earned a trip to the convention as a student correspondent through the Junior State of America. She will not only get to meet and learn from politicians, party delegates and press secretaries, but she’ll also be able to watch live broadcasts, experience demonstrations and protests outside the convention center and, of course, hear Obama’s speech firsthand.
Each day, Maddie will be sharing her experiences here — for you to get an inside look at what the convention is all about. Sure, you can watch coverage on CNN, but isn’t it more interesting to get a politically-savvy teenager’s perspective? We thought so.
The convention runs Aug. 25-28. Check back often to read what Maddie has to say about it.
– Cheryl Lecesse, CoJo editor
