WP: A Roll Call Even Hollywood Couldn't Top
Colbert King
Ever since the demise of smoke-filled rooms at national political conventions of the past -- where deals were worked out behind the scenes -- most viewers skip roll call votes for the nomination, passing up ministerial events where the outcome is determined days in advance.
I try to never miss them. I tune in and hang on every word. I’m so glad I didn’t miss this one.
Yes, it was historic. The first time an African American has been nominated for president of the United States by a major political party.
Yes, too, the orchestration of the event was pure Hollywood -- no, make that pure stuff of Washington: Hillary Clinton’s appearance on the floor to move for Barack Obama’s nomination by acclamation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s magical arrival at the podium to guide the convention to its scripted outcome....
As for me, the highlight -- my pure, unadulterated joy -- was in the speeches by the heads of the delegations that cast their votes for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. I received a history and cultural lesson in Americana listening to the speakers tout their respective states. Sure, they all put a little yeast in their stories, but what the heck.
The visuals were stunning as well. Did you know there were so many people of color in Montana and Idaho? Without the roll call vote, I would not have seen the public make-up of convention delegations. They looked like the America I want for my children and grandchildren. That they also came together to produce the nation’s first presidential candidate of a different color is important. But not as much as what they presented in themselves.
Can the Republican convention even come close?
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2008/08/_ever_since_the_smoke-filled.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
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