Nebraska Democrats in 2008

In Memory of Sen. Edward Kennedy

2009-08-25T23:19:00.000-07:00

Senator Kennedy......you will be missed.

Health Care Chart

2009-07-24T12:19:00.001-07:00

Clinton Visit

2008-10-22T13:14:00.000-07:00

For Article

2008-09-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Thursday & Invesco Field

2008-09-01T19:06:00.000-07:00

The sign on the side of the stadium greeted us as we arrived by bus for the big event: Obama's acceptance speech.

Journalists, TV cameras, photographers, all lined up right behind our Nebraska delegation. Notice the bald guy on the far left? That's Biff Henderson from The Late Show with David Letterman.

My attempt at panoramic (didn't splice together too well) this was the row of TV networks lined up right by where the Nebraska delegation was seated.

Me with Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. I'm sure Lee Terry and Adrian Smith are wondering what we discussed. My lips are sealed! Let's just say Rep. Jackson was thrilled to meet an active Democrat from Nebraska.

Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson sings the national anthem. Probably the best I've heard it performed in a very long time!

ABC's George Stephanopoulos.

Sheryl Crow performs for the growing crowd.

Our delegations sign.

CBS's Bob Schieffer - he and his crew were actually caught dancing several times during the music performances!

What an amazing scene!

Nebraska delegates Robyn Quarles and Logan Dobbs, with Joy Philippi right behind them.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson addresses the crowd at Invesco.

NBC's Brian Williams, Tom Brokaw and Chuck Todd.

The amazing Stevie Wonder performs for the crowd. He rocked the stadium!

CNN's Anderson Cooper came over by the Nebraska Delegation and met some of the delegates.

So did Democratic Pundit with CNN, Donna Brazile.

Vice President Al Gore addresses the stadium and really got everyone excited!

Over 2 dozen former Generals came on stage to endorse Barack Obama. The 4th from the right is General (and former NATO Supreme Commander) Wesley Clark.

Another view of the huge crowd as Senator Joe Biden took the stage.

Senator Joe Biden addressing the crowd.

If you watched this on TV, you would have seen shots that seemed to pan and more out. This was the camera that caught those shots. It was funny to see it zipping all over above our heads.

The crowd greeting the next President of the United States, Barack Obama.

Obama accepts our nomination.

This photo was taken by our own Lisa Olivares, who got the privilege of sitting in the front. We were so proud of her!

Another photo take by Lisa Olivares. Time to celebrate!

Wednesday: Day of the Official Nominations

2008-08-31T17:41:00.000-07:00

Members of the Nebraska Delegation waiting for Nebraska's turn in the roll call for nomination of the Democratic Candidates for President of the United States.

Senator Ben Nelson announces Nebraska's roll call votes: 3 for Clinton, 28 for Obama.

Our own Senator on the big screen at the convention during the roll call.

The big moment: Sen. Hillary Clinton calls for the suspention of the roll call and the approval of Sen. Barack Obama to be the nominee for President of the United States.

Nebraska's delegates as they witness history being made: The nomination of the first African-American as the Democratic candidate for President.

NDP's Eric Van Horn, State Senator Amanda McGill, and State Senate Candidate Jeremy Nordquist.

Former US Secretary to the UN, and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

Chelsea and Hillary Clinton taking their seats.

President Bill Clinton addresses the delegation.

Look who sat across the aisle from the Nebraska delegation during President Clinton's speach. It's actor Richard Schiff from The West Wing (and there are a lot of us who are big fans!)

Senator John Kerry addresses the delegation.

Another image from the convention floor.

Iraq War veteran, Major Tammy Duckworth, a hero that lost her legs and who's right arm was crippled when the Black Hawk helicopter she was co-piloting got hit by a rocket propelled grenade. She ran for Congress in 2006 and was the victim of underhanded attacks by Republicans, including trying to label her "unhinged". So much for supporting our troops. She was an amazing speaker.

Senator and VP Candidate Joe Biden gives his acceptance speech at the convention.

Joe Biden and Barack Obama at the end of the evening.

The Daily Show filming in the lobby at the end of the evening: Rob Riggle, Aasif Mandvi, and Wyatt Cenac.

Tuesday in Denver

2008-08-30T13:18:00.000-07:00

Protestors walking down the street in downtown Denver. There were maybe 100 of them. These were the extreme Hillary supporters seeking to be heard. Media types played on this issue and made it bigger than it ever was. The delegations made it clear that the vast majority were not joining this small group. But to see them marching was rather fascinating.

At the parks downtown, other protesters gathered (name your favorite subject, they were probably there). The police were ready to handle any problems that may arise.

The Washington Post's Dana Milbank.

Mo Rocca - regular on NPR's Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me, NBC's Tonight Show with Jay Leno, MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann, and a contributor to Comedy Central's The Daily Show.

Deidre Hall, long-time actress on NBC's "Days of our Lives" (and to really date myself, I first remember watching her as a little girl on Saturday mornings in "Electra Woman and Dyna Girl").

NBC's Andrea Mitchell, getting ready to go on the air. (On a side note, Andrea ended up sitting with the Nebraska delegation for the last half of Obama's acceptance speech on Thursday night, when the fire marshalls were ready to start kicking people out standing and blocking the aisles. She thought we were very nice to make room for her, to which I responded: "We're from Nebraska. That's how we are.")

I thought the t-shirts these women were wearing were noteworthy!

Senator Barbara Boxer speaking to the convention.

That's me with Joe Scarborough, former Republican Congressman from Florida, and host of MSNBC's Morning Joe. Needless to say, despite the fact I don't always agree with him, I'm a major fan!

Dennis Kucinich's wife, Elizabeth.

NDP's hardworking staffer, and the woman who took care of all the delegates, Clara Blankenbiller.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

Congressman John Lewis signing a poster for Nebraska delegate Terry Werner.

Lilly Ledbetter addresses the convention. This amazing woman has fought for equal pay for women. A bill passed in the House last year, but got blocked from further progress by Senate Republicans (so much for "up or down" votes).

Former Virginia Governor and current US Senate Candidate, Mark Warner, addressing the convention.

Nebraska Delegates and guests enjoying the convention!

Okay, tried to mark this picture to point out 3 different things:
1. Howard Fineman (Newsweek, MSNBC)
2. British Actor Stuart Townsend and Oscar Winner Charlise Theron
3. President Bill Clinton

Another view.

And another.

Senator Hillary Clinton gets a huge, very warm reception from the delegates.

Senator Clinton addressing the convention, calling for unity.

What a way to end the night!

Monday at the Convention

2008-08-26T22:31:00.000-07:00

Partners in Crime: Lisa Hannah and Kyle Michaelis at The Tavern, on the roof patio overlooking Coors Field. This was for a lunch sponsored by Novartis for the Nebraska Delegation.

US Senate candidate Scott Kleeb, and NDP Executive Director Matt Connealy, talking with Nebraska representatives from Novartis.

Welcome to Denver and the Democratic National Convention.

Katy Kay, reporter for BBC World News America.

Richard Wolfe, Newsweek reporter getting ready to appear on MSNBC's "Hardball".

Katie Couric, CBS, preparing to go live. CBS is at the bottom of the section where Nebraska sits.

Nebraska Democratic Party Chair, Steve Achelpohl, goes above and beyond to help out our representing blogger...by climbing over seats.

Nebraska's own Lisa Olivares (second from the right) participates in a Town Hall discussion on the convention stage. She did fantastic!!

Speak of the House, Nancy Pelosi.

The man Lee Terry threatened, Jesse Jackson Jr, speaks on the convention stage.

Senator Ted Kennedy speaking to the convention. What a great moment, given his recent battle with brain cancer!

Some of our Nebraska delegates having a great time!

President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn. They sat right across from the Nebraska Delegation, with the Georgia Delegation, for a short time. What an honor to meet him and shake his hand!

Congressman Rahm Emmanuel coming up the steps by the Nebraska Delegation.

The amazing Michelle Obama speaking to the convention. What a classy lady!

Last, but not least, our own Kyle Michaelis, working hard on the convention floor!

Sunday Night in Denver

2008-08-24T20:35:00.000-07:00

Ticket to the event Mardi Gras band dancing through the crowd The Guam Delegation (Gotta love the matching clothes!) View of the event - about 3000 in attendance! A brief view of the band playing