DNC Final Night: The Prez

Dear Readers,

Madame L watched part of last night's Democratic National Convention live, and loved every minute of it. In fact, Madame L went from laughing at the silliness of the conventioneers to thinking she might like to attend one in person, say, four years from now, when she would probably go as a Hillary Clinton delegate. Yes, really. 

Here are some of the highlights:

Gabrielle Giffords leads the Pledge of Allegiance:

Mary J. Blige performs:

Vice President Joe Biden's acceptance speech:

President Barack Obama's acceptance speech:

Nine great lines from that speech (thanks to the SF Examiner for these):

1) "I will never turn Medicare into a voucher."

2) "You (Romney) may not be ready for diplomacy with Beijing if you can't visit Olympics without insulting our closest ally."

3) "Climate change is not a hoax."

4) “They (Republicans) want your vote, but they don't want you to know their plan. And that's because all they have to offer is the same prescription they've had for the last thirty years:
‘Have a surplus? Try a tax cut.’
‘Deficit too high? Try another.’
‘Feel a cold coming on? Take two tax cuts, roll back some regulations, and call us in the morning!’”

5) "As citizens, we understand that America is not about what can be done for us. It’s about what can be done by us, together."

6) "Washington politicians who want to decide who you can marry, or control health care choices women should make for themselves."

7) “I recognize that times have changed since I first spoke to this convention. The times have changed – and so have I. I'm no longer just a candidate. I'm the President.”

8) "Yes, our path is harder – but it leads to a better place. Yes our road is longer – but we travel it together. We don’t turn back."

9) “We leave no one behind. We pull each other up. We draw strength from our victories, and we learn from our mistakes, but we keep our eyes fixed on that distant horizon, knowing that Providence is with us, and that we are surely blessed to be citizens of the greatest nation on Earth.”

Full transcript of the speech is available from National Public Radio (NPR). And, from that transcript, the concluding lines:

   "If you reject the notion that this nation's promise is reserved for the few, your voice must be heard in this election.

   "If you reject the notion that our government is forever beholden to the highest bidder, you need to stand up in this election.

   "If you believe that new plants and factories can dot our landscape, that new energy can power our future, that new schools can provide ladders of opportunity to this nation of dreamers, if you believe in a country where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share and everyone plays by the same rules, then I need you to vote this November.

   "America, I never said this journey would be easy, and I won't promise that now. Yes, our path is harder, but it leads to a better place. Yes, our road is longer, but we travel it together.

   "We don't turn back. We leave no one behind. We pull each other up.  We draw strength from our victories. And we learn from our mistakes. But we keep our eyes fixed on that distant horizon knowing that providence is with us and that we are surely blessed to be citizens of the greatest nation on earth.

   "Thank you, God bless you and God bless these United States."

Madame L  hopes all her Dear Readers will vote for Pres. Obama to continue the path he has started, leading us away from the eight years of the Bush administration's disastrous policies and into the future with respect and dignity for all Americans.

Sincerely,

Madame L