Today I attended the Virginia 8th congressional Democratic caucus as a delegate for Obama. Our primary task was to select delegates to the National Convention in Denver. We were to select 2 male, and 2 female delegates as well as an alternate for Obama. There were approximately 15 men and 15 women on the ballot. All of them had done outstanding work on behalf of Obama, many travelling to other states, and many with a long history of involvement in Democratic politics.
Each of the delegate candidates gave a three minute speech. And truly they were all terrific. Many of them have been invoved in politics for decades, including a couple who cited their involvment in the '72 McGovern campaign.
After almost all the candidates had spoken, a young woman named Bridget Donnelly stepped up to the microphone and introduced herself in a shaky voice as a 19-year old college student
"I wouldn't have dreamed a year ago that I'd be standing here," she said ... "I wouldn't have dreamed a year ago that I'd be hosting phone banking parties at college, or that I'd be taking the semester off to campaign for Obama."
She finshed by saying "I know that you won't elect me as delegate to the national convention, but I thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk to you." The room erupted in the loudest applause of the day.
This is the future folks--Bridget Donnelly and all the others like her who Obama is bringing into the party. This is why we're going to win in November. I wouldn't trade Bridget Donnelly for all the Mark Penns and Karl Roves in the world.
... Oh, and yes she will be going to the convention in Denver.