Live at the DNC Meetings

[UPDATE:  Major wi-fi problems at the convention.  I took notes, and will be posting shortly on all the speeches.]

I took extensive notes at the event.  On the "flip" is what I got down from Howard Dean and Harry Reid. Then, I'll do each of the candidates' speeches. This is just a rough transcript, not exact quotes. I make no pretense to this being authoritative, but I got it down as best as I could.
*9:20 Gaveled to order by Howard Dean
*Presentation of colors
*Rabbi Bass (?) - benediction

DNC Chair Howard Dean: Gets big round of applause. Says we've got a huge quorum of committee members, eager to hear from our 10 oustanding candidates, one of whom  will be the next Pres. of the US

Harry Reid a bit late, Dean tells everyone to be at ease

9:30 am, Reid starts speaking. Credits Dean for helping flip Senate from Rep. to Dem. control.  Success stories in Nebraska and other states.

What happened on Election Day was historic.  Claire McCaskill victory.  Rest of night was kind of long...waiting for Montana, and "big bad Jon Tester won."  Some of us took a chance about 8 months before the election and looked at Virginia.  From the first day I met Jim Webb, said you remind me so much of Bob Kerrey.  Great victory.  Webb's response to SOTU address was best we've ever seen.  Jim Webb not only courageous on battlefield, he's courageous in the Senate.

We said we'd change Washington, we started off doing that.  Lobbying reform.  Last night, for first time in 10 years, working poor in America got a raise.  Monday, unless REpublicans are afraid to have the debate, we're going to have the first real debate since war began on Iraq.  Everyone is against the escalation of the war in Iraq.  Republicans can't stop the debate on Iraq, because the American people are demanding a debate on Iraq.  9/11 Commission report...we're going to implmement them, because the American people deserve safety and security.  We're going to do something else. Not a person in this room, or their families, who wouldn't benefit from stem cell research. Give hope a chance.  We must do something to allow this great research to move forward.  It makes me feel so  good to see these 9 new Democratic Senators coming in to vote.

Let's talk about the West.  We have some good things happening out there.  Selection of Denver for convention.  Inclusion of Nevada in caucuses.  THese are very important strategic moves.  2008 nominee appeals to America and appeals to a region that is ripe for the taking.  Transformation in the Mountain West. 2000: no Dem. governors, today there are 5.  2006:  Wy, Nev,Ar, Col, Montana, NM.  Baucus, Bingaman, Salazar, Tester, Reid.  More Senators are on the way.  Western issues are Dem. issues.  Energy, conservation, immigration, health care, education, jobs.  Of course the West is independent. But we believe in the Dem. ideal - helping your neighbor.  The West is the new frontier, and winnning it starts in Nevada.  We have diversity. Urban areas.  Rural communities.  20% Hsipanice.  Strong African American and Asian population.  Native Americans.  Growing labor population. Third largest veterans population.  That's what America's all about.  Candidates that come to Nevada, "and they will"...if you win in Nevada, you can win in the West. If you win in the West, you win the White House in 2008.  I come from Searchlight, NV.  I tell young people that America is a great country.  If I can make it in America, anyone can.  My house was made of railroad ties, no indoor plumbing.  Six kids graduated from Searchlight elementary school; I graduated in top third of my class.  Mother did prostitutes' laundry.  In America, it doesn't matter how much money your parents have, what color their skin is.  Keep America so people like Harry Reid can make it in America, fight the onslaught of the right wing.  Commit to continuing to make it possible to make it in America -land of opportunity, freedom, choice.

Dean:  Thank you Harry Reid for your extraordinary leadership in US Senate.  We have taken back America.  I am proud to be a member of the Democratic Party.  We have come a long way since we met here two years ago today.  Strong Congressional leadership.  First woman speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. After 12 years, the House under Pelosi is putting the peoples' business first again.  The power has been loaned to us by the American people.  We are repaying that loan.  We have put an end to the culture of corruption.  9/11 Commission.  Helping kids go to college by cutting student loan rates.  Stem cells.  Fiscal responsibility a priority again -paygo, which the Republicans took out.  Dems are the party of fiscal responsibility, can't trust Reps with your money - borrow and spend, borrow and spend.  We will really be in charge in 2008.  Long overdue debate about the war in Iraq.  We need to repair America's for. policy, reestablish America's moral position around the world. We strongly support our troops, but we also know that escalatingthe war in Iraq is not the answer, and we will hold President Bush accountable.  We can win in any part of the country.  If we continue to work hard, we will win the White House in 2008. Failed leadership the past 6 years. The American people deserve optimism and vision. The divisive politics of the REpublican Party are over.  One of the strongest Presidential fields I've ever seen.  Extraordinary vision and talent. We will add that strong leadership to the White House to complement the Congress, State Houses,Mayors, etc. Looking forward to hearing you speak, vision for America's future. 

The DNC is fair and impartial, we are the referees.  OUr doors are open to any candidate.  Trying to make sure playing field is level.  All pres. candidates who have publicly declared or appear imminent have been invited to speak.  7 minutes to speak per candidate.  1 minute intro to be read by DNC officer chosen at random.  Each candidate can play up to 30 seconds of music, 100 campaign signs. Rules are the same for everybody.
Campaign staffs have worked hard with us, thanks to the staffs of all campaigns.  DNC staff has worked hard.  First going to introduce Chris Dodd.

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