Michelle Obama, taking the stage tonight at the Democratic National Convention, said her husband "doesn't care where you're from or what your background is" because Americans are bound by something deeper: a belief that this country "should be a place where you can make it if you try."
"He knows that thread that connects us - our belief in America's promise, our commitment to our children's future - is strong enough to hold us together as one nation even when we disagree," she said, dazzling the crowd of delegates, who waved blue-and-white "Michelle" posters and gave her a long standing ovation.
Michelle Obama said she and her husband started their journey toward the White House 19 months ago "with little more than our faith in each other and a hunger for change."
"I come here as a wife who loves my husband and believes he will be an extraordinary president," she said. "I come here as a mom whose girls are the heart of my heart and the center of my world. They're the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning and the last thing I think about when I go to bed at night. Their future and all our children's future is my stake in this election."
"Isn't She Lovely" blared into the Pepsi Center as Michelle Obama ended her speech and her two daughters - Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7 - joined her on stage. Then, to cap off the first night of the convention, Barack Obama appeared live via video on giant screens. ….continue reading
Fighting Cancer, Kennedy Adds An Opening Spark
By Adam Nagourney
DENVER -- Senator Edward M. Kennedy, struggling with terminal brain cancer, arrived on Monday night at the Democratic National Convention in a triumphant appearance that provided an emotional start for the event as the party turned to a new era and gathered to nominate Senator Barack Obama for president.
Mr. Kennedy arrived at the convention center here shortly before dusk, accompanied by a flock of family members.
He walked a few halting steps to a waiting golf cart, which drove him into the hall where Democrats are meeting this week.
Mr. Kennedy walked out with his wife, Vicki, who kissed him and left him at the lectern. The crowd, many of them wiping tears from their eyes, would not stop cheering until he settled them down.
"My fellow Democrats, my fellow Americans, it is so wonderful to be here," Mr. Kennedy said. "And nothing is going to keep me away from this special gathering tonight."
"I have come here tonight," he continued, "to stand with you to change America to restore its future, to rise to our best ideals and to elect Barack Obama president of the United States." ….continue reading
Obama's Davenport Campaign Stop A Relatively Intimate Event
By Tory Brecht
DAVENPORT, Iowa -- In a couple of days, Barack Obama will address thousands at the Democratic National Convention and spread his message to millions watching on television.
On Monday, in Davenport, the Democratic presidential nominee held a much more low-key event.
Speaking to about 150 invited guests -- many undecided voters or wavering Republicans targeted by area Obama volunteers -- the Illinois senator hammered home the theme that he, not Republican John McCain, is the Washington outsider with an understanding of real-world problems.
On issues from the economy to energy and foreign policy -- where he faces accusations of being inexperienced and naive -- Obama attempted to paint his opponent as honorable but hopelessly out of touch. He spoke for about 30 minutes, then fielded questions for another half-hour.
"The American people are worried," he said. "Not just about themselves but about the direction of the country as a whole. And they've got good reason to be worried. The fact is, the economy is not working for ordinary Americans." ….continue reading
U.S. Attorney Downplays Possible Plot To Kill Obama
By John Ensslin, Judi Villa and April Washington
AURORA -- Federal authorities are downplaying a possible assassination plot against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
"We're aware of the matter discussed tonight by the Aurora Police Department," said Colorado U.S. Attorney Troy Eid in a statement late Monday night. "Federal law enforcement is working hand-in-glove with the Aurora Police Department. Because this matter is currently under investigation, there is little we can say right now.
Nathan Johnson
Tharin Gartrell
"We can say this: We're absolutely confident there is no credible threat to the candidate, the Democratic National Convention, or the people of Colorado."
At least three people had been arrested in connection with a possible plot to kill Obama at his Thursday night acceptance speech at Invesco Field at Mile High, according to CBS4 News. The suspects are being held on either drug or weapons charges. ….continue reading
Pelosi Evacuated From Hotel In Weapons Scare
By Kristen Browning-Blas
DENVER - A Wyoming man was arrested Saturday afternoon at the Grand Hyatt hotel in downtown Denver when police noticed he was carrying weapons in the lobby. Joseph Calanchini of Pinedale, Wyo., was arrested for unlawful carrying of a weapon and remained in custody Sunday.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was briefly evacuated from the hotel after a police dog appeared to indicate that there may be something in Calanchini's car, but the vehicle contained no weapons, officials said.
Calanchini was carrying two rifles and two handguns in the lobby of the hotel, according to law enforcement at Denver's Joint Information Center. ...continue reading
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Police Use Spray To Force Back Protesters In Civic Center
DENVER - Riot police using pepper spray forced a couple of hundred protesters out of Civic Center and then blocked them before they could reach the 16th Street Mall.
Police surrounded the protesters along 15th Street between Court Street and Cleveland Place and then moved up reinforcements, including at least two armored vehicles.
Police were still processing detainees at 10:30 p.m. using tables set up along Cleveland and loading them onto sheriff's buses.
Jacki Kelley, a spokeswoman for the convention's Joint Information Center, said about 100 convention-related arrests had been made Monday, the vast majority of them because of the Civic Center incident.
Shortly before 8:30 p.m., police began to let some of those trapped leave in the direction of Civic Center. ….continue reading
Hundreds Are Held In
Immigration Raid
By Adam Nossiter
LAUREL, Miss. -- In another large-scale workplace immigration crackdown, federal officials raided a factory here on Monday, detaining at least 350 workers they said were in the country illegally.
Numerous agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement descended on a factory belonging to Howard Industries Inc., which manufactures electrical transformers, among other products.
As of late Monday afternoon, no criminal charges had been filed, said Barbara Gonzalez, an agency spokeswoman, but she said that dozens of workers had been ….continue reading
The Dog That Isn't Barking
By Bob Herbert
The fun and games may be in Denver, but this year's presidential election will likely be decided in critical states like Michigan, where many Democratic voters, despite being hammered by a wicked economy, are ambivalent at best about the candidate at the top of their party's ticket.
You could easily get the impression, through casual conversations, that Michigan will be a cakewalk for Barack Obama. Most people you talk to say that they plan to vote for him. Nearly all working families have been touched by the downturn, which has been longer and more severe here than in most other parts of the nation.
Relatives in different parts of the state are seeing less of one another because of high gasoline prices. Auto industry workers, traumatized by the number of colleagues who have been laid off, worry that they will be the next to go. The anger at George W. Bush is white-hot.
Margaret Schlack, who is married and the mother of four, talked about the election after attending Sunday services at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church in Livonia, a largely white, working-class suburb of Detroit. ….continue reading
