“No more years!”  “No more years!”  Those are the words that ring in my ears when I think of John McCain running for president and continuing the failed domestic and foreign policies of the current administration.  Needless to say, this week’s convention to officially elect Senator Barack Obama as our party’s candidate for this nation’s highest office gives me great hope.
 
Reading Bruce Buchanan’s “Musings of the GOP Father of a Dem Delegate”  (Hays Daily News; 8/25/08) reminded me of my and my siblings’ upbringing.  A couple of years ago, the local Hays Board of Realtors was voting on staying or re-locating the board office.  My father (my real estate boss) and I were on opposite sides of the issue and both vocal in our beliefs.
 
After a meeting filled with lively discussion attended by most of the Hays realtors, a realtor remarked to my father that she was surprised to see I voted against him.  To which he replied, “We raised our kids to have their own minds.”  And then he added, “No matter how much it pisses us off.”
 
Although they both come around every four years, I get a lot more excited about the National Political conventions than the Olympics.
Monday evening, I got home around 6:00 and immediately turned on C-SPAN.  For me, it’s a tough choice between C-SPAN and CNN; I like to listen to the speeches and make up my own mind (C-SPAN), but James Carville is on CNN.  So, I compromised.  C-SPAN on Monday and Tuesday and the Rajun’ Cajun on Wednesday and Thursday.
 
Monday was all about our next first lady, Michelle Obama.  A fantastic speech!  Her brother, Craig Robinson , Oregon State University basketball coach, also proved to be more than an average orator.  All in all, a good start.  The networks only cover (and I use the word ever so loosely) an hour each night, so I click back and forth to CBS to see what has caught their attention.  I was pleasantly surprised to catch Katie Couric interviewing our own Governor.  Kathleen gave a great interview and is truly an asset for our great state.
 
The bad thing about watching the major networks is you don’t really get a real taste of the convention.  Tuesday was Hillary Clinton’s night and her speech to unify the party was inspiring.  But if you didn’t catch Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer’s speech, you missed a lot.  Google “Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer in Denver” and watch the video.  You will be glad you did.  There are always a few unlikely highlights in a convention and this so far is the best.
 
Hillary’s speech gave Obama a resounding endorsement.  She also said our nation can’t take another four years of Bush’s presidency by electing the Republican candidate.  “No way. No how. No McCain.”  The line brought down the house.
 
It was Governor Kathleen Sebelius’ turn to weigh in on Senator McCain’s gaff last week.  He was asked how many homes he and his wife owned and he didn’t know.  They own seven.  The Governor relayed Dorothy’s saying of “There is no place like home.”  She continued with John McCain’s version.  “There is no place like home. Or home. Or home. Or home.”  Good one, Gov.
 
Wednesday’s highlighted speeches were Vice President candidate Senator Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton.  Biden did a good job of accepting the nomination and will more than hold his own during the election.
 
To call Bill Clinton’s speech a home run would be an understatement.  Maybe a grand slam would be closer.  His formal endorsement of Obama was well worth the wait.  If you enjoy a great speech, this would be another one worth a google.
 
Wednesday night also had a little local flavor.  As the cameras panned the crowd, they fixed a full face shot on former Hays Mayor John Petty.  Petty is now a Pastor for a Lutheran church in Aurora, Colorado and is a delegate at the convention.
 
Tonight’s the big night.  Senator Barack Obama will accept our party’s nomination for president.  It is a historical night.  Our nation’s first African-American candidate for president will accept the nomination in a speech delivered to over 70000 people.
 
And I can tell you how it ends (at my house, anyway).  After the speech, I will stand up and yell to George Bush and John McBush, “No More Years!”  “No more years!”
 
(Excerpts taken from 8/28/08 HDN column)