Greetings from Charlotte: Convention Day 1

Chris Roberts is part of the delegation from the 32nd District Democrats, attending the National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina this week.

By Chris Roberts

Tuesday was the first day of the convention. While most Shoreline and Lake Forest Park residents got their tastes of the 2012 Democratic Convention with the speeches of San Antonio Mayor Julan Castro and Michele Obama, the delegation of the 32nd has been in Charlotte since Sunday getting ready for today's events.

Our days are packed with speeches and more speeches, beyond the five hours of speeches at the convention itself. My favorite line from Tuesday was from AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka who told the labor caucus "Mitt Romney even outsources his bank accounts."

The highlight was the convention itself. I enjoyed the keynote speech of Julian Castro, and Michele Obama's statement that her "most important title is mom-in-chief" brought tears to my eyes. Ohio Governor Ted Strickland also gave a rousing speech earlier in the evening.

We talked to one reporter who attended the Republican Convention in Tampa who said that the Democratic delegates were more energized and fired up about the election.

Our days begin early, with a 7am delegation breakfast, with speakers from the DNC. After breakfast, there are events at the convention center, which is about 15 minutes away by cab or by light rail, or about an hour away if the DNC busses are running on schedule. The events themselves are spread out across the City.