Paladin

Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: News

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Ever since their conception in 1832 and 1856, respectively, the Democratic and Republican National Conventions have been venues used to inform the people, unify the parties, and nominate a future president. First up this year were the Democrats, who gathered in Denver, Colorado for four days at the end of August.

The early proceedings included speeches from former President Bill Clinton and his wife, N.Y. Senator Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore, Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, who also is the Democratic vice presidential nominee, and Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.

Each delivered speeches with a similar theme to unify and elect; unify the country and elect Obama for president.

"Yeah, they're authentic, they aren't BS, they mean what they say," said Adewale Agboke, graphic design major and Independent, about the group's speeches.

Besides the never-ending applause and boisterous speeches, there was official business conducted at the convention. By law roll call, voting, had to commence, and this year it was a bit different. During the voting that gave Obama, 35.07 percent of the votes, and Hillary Clinton, 7.73 percent of the votes, there was a call by Hillary Clinton to stop the roll call and to elect Obama as the nominee by acclamation.

On the final day of the convention, Obama addressed the nation at INVESCO Field, where more than 84,000 supporters, witnessed the first-term senator accept his party's nomination for president. "To all my fellow citizens of this great nation, with profound gratitude and great humility, I accept your nomination for presidency of the United States," Obama said, beginning his campaign for the general election.

Obama delivered an hour-long speech that included his platform, his thanks and his proposed changes. His speech received mixed reactions from students. Adewale Agboke, an Independent, said, "It wasn't a robotic speech, it was authentic, real, it's like writing a good song and that was a good song."

While Yehuda Groden, a registered Republican and mathematics major, said, "I think Obama is a good speaker, but I think he's full of himself. He was a bit boisterous in his ideas, some good ideas, so if elected him I hope he succeeds in them."

Obama delivered his speech in front of an applauding crowd, kicking off his run at the white house.

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