DNC Live Blog: Big Dawg, Elizabeth Warren, and the Roll Call Vote
Posted: September 5, 2012 Filed under: Democratic Politics, Live Blog | Tags: DNC 2012, live blog 82 Comments
Wednesday night’s program includes progressives who have become prime targets of Republicans, like Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren and reproductive rights activist Sandra Fluke. The Democrats will also defend their record on free enterprise with several businessmen — one of whom has ties to the Solyndra controversy. Ahead of the appearances at the Time Warner Cable Arena, conservatives are launching attacks against all three.
One of Congress’ most recognizable liberals, San Francisco Rep. Nancy Pelosi, will take the stage this evening around 7 p.m. ET. Pelosi is so disdained by conservatives that her name is regularly invoked when conservatives want to cast other Democrats as too liberal and wrong-headed. The conservative outside group Club for Growth this week launched an ad attacking Democratic Senate candidate Joe Donnelly for voting for Pelosi to serve as speaker of the House.
While Pelosi has long been a favorite GOP target, conservatives have more recently zeroed in on Elizabeth Warren, the Senate candidate challenging Republican Sen. Scott Brown in the blue state of Massachusetts. Warren has been hailed as a champion of the left for helping President Obama establish the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau, which was set up as part of the Wall Street regulatory haul.
A high school friend of mine–Laura Schory Copple–who now lives in Arizona has been keeping us up-to-date with pictures and anecdotes on her Facebook page. She mentioned the protestors today in one of her posts.
The crazies are out on every corner today and the Mounties from Atlanta are prepared for anything. They’ve brought in cops from every major city. Got word that Arpaio is on a plane headed here for an anti-immigration rally. Guys with bullhorns yelling at women to shut up ’cause that’s how god wants it. …. god told me last night that I would meet aa guy with a bullhorn today and to just ignore him.
It’s been fun to watch her be so excited about things including the platform which she considers ‘really cool’.
Meanwhile, the AP announces that the first night of DNC bests RNC in TV ratings race. I can only imagine what kind of numbers the Big Dawg will draw.
Michelle Obama has bragging rights over Ann Romney in one early measurement—television ratings.
The Nielsen Co. said about 26.2 million people watched the opening night of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, where the first lady was the featured speaker.
Last week, Nielsen said 22.3 million watched the first night of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., where potential first lady Ann Romney talked about her husband, Mitt. The same number of viewers watched the Democrats’ first night in 2008, when Michelle Obama was also the featured speaker.
NBC had the biggest audience Tuesday night, followed by its cable sister MSNBC.
Meanwhile, racist Republicans aren’t even bothering to use dog whistles any more. Here’s the latest from Rush. BTW, wtf is a “typical white woman”?
Obama did not grow up in poverty. His grandmother, the typical, white woman, worked in a bank.
Don’t give me this down with the struggle business. He wasn’t down with the struggle. That’s the whole point. You go back to 2008, the Democrats were ringing their hands because he wasn’t authentically black. […] He wasn’t down with the struggle. He doesn’t have slave blood. […]
You want to know something funny? Obama actually has “slave blood” from his mother’s side.
So, pull up a chair and let’s see what happens!!
peej
Carissa
ecocatwoman
mablue2
Mama Lopez
peggysue22
quixote
skydancingguestblogger
Mona (aka Wonk the Vote)
Sky Dancing 
This is going to be fun. I just heard Rachel say after Clinton’s speech, they will do the roll call. This is going to last all night.
It certainly is better orchestrated than the mess last week … I can’t wait to hear some of the speakers tonight.
Democrats will work to overturn Citizens United per Pelosi. REserve judgement on that promise until they actually take action, but nice touch.
Tom Vilsack up now – speaking about republican promise to take the country back – Back to What? Good jab!
That race link is great! Hey Rush take an oxycontin! I guess that ends the Birther shit, not.
Women senators up now
Sen Mikulski is really short – somehow I thought she would be much taller.
She just said, They come in all sizes like the US gymnastics team/
good point – she’s so tiny though. She’s commited the Senate to fight for equal pay legislation – yay.
Love the unwritten theme – “from the middle out, not the top down”
Arne Duncan up now – education is about jobs. If countries like China out educate us today, they will out job us tomorrow – excellent, finally someone gets it.
I can certainly prove my kinship to Obama’s family…………..it’s taken me years to do my genealogy, didn’t happen over night.
Within genealogy, aren’t all of us ultimately related? Fascinating study by the way.
Yes if we go back far enough — we are related to one of the 7 Eves.
MtDNA — is where the fun comes in. It is through the female line — the egg that records the genealogy. Of course the science is far more complex — but still with the effort of the Patriarchy to practically eliminate the records of the females — all along the MtDNA was keeping that record.
It truly is……..
Wow, Lawrence O’Donald just said Hillary is going to run in 2016. It came from her money people and the only thing standing in the way is Andrew Cuomo wants to run.
Yeah, Matthews started it, then on to Andrea Mitchell, culminating in O’Donnell. I hate it when commentators predict the future. I want Hillary on the SCOTUS. Longer legacy & more impact than president in the long run.
rats … I missed that… they are really focusing on women and hispanics!!!
Al Sharpton is still kinda of bitter.
Hillary on CNN now.
I love her pink!!!
Libby Bruce on now talking about her health issues – endometriosis (my daughter has a severe form, so this really resonates with me). she went to Planned Parenthood.
Definitely emphasizing women and minorities – wise people.
and now it’s Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood
I switched from MSNBC to Cspan to hear Cecile Richards’ full speech. As always, she was good. When she mentioned her mother, Ann Richards, the crowd went wild & brought Cecile to tears. She choked up. It was a wonderful moment, I thought.
I just lost my bestest this week, she had breast cancer, and went 3 rounds of chemo. R.I.P. Linda (61 yrs) Two years ago I lost another bestest to breast cancer, Karen, R.I.P. (50 yrs.)
Deepest condolences Fannie. One of my very good friends has been fighting brain cancer and I’m honestly not sure how I will cope if she succumbs. It’s a horrible disease, cancer. Horrible.
Thank you HT………..Without Dak knowing she helped me earlier in the week when she touched on her round of chemo. Karen’s daughter had married months before her death, and Karen was busy knitting blankets, etc. She told her daughter, have those kids as soon as possible, and have both breasts removed.
I’m so sorry, Fannie. I wish no one had to die so young.
When were are not at the table, we’re on the menu. Cecile Richards
Anymore help from romney and i’m going to have to take in ironing. Ann Richards.
Cecile Richards, Planned Parenthood on now endorsing Obama. Very good speaker.
oops, sorry Dak and PD. Late to the starting line as usual.
Sorry to go OT, but this is an interesting story about RMoney’s tax returns. Y’all may have already read or discussed this, but if you haven’t this is interesting.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/05/mitt-romney-tax-return-theft_n_1859464.html
I love the women speakers, and the rumor that’s floating around the convention about Hillary 2016, is exciting news. I just hope it’s true.
OOh, good stab by Steny Hoyer focusing on the republican obstructionism. Well done.
If women get any more “help” from Mitt Romney, we’re “going to have to take in ironing” ! Go Cecile Richards!
( After my father left when I was little, my mother did have to take in ironing. )
How are you feeling Beata, and how’s your mom?
I’m really tired. Mama’s not doing well.
Sorry, Beata. I hope you’re getting enough rest.
I’m so sorry to hear that. Take care of yourself, for goodness sake, you have more people who care about you than you know.
Thanks, HT. You’re a dear person. Take care of yourself, too!
Let’s make a pact – I will if you do.
Sister Simone Campbell will be speaking sometime between 8-9 Central time. That should curl the toes of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
I was wondering if the pope would excommunicate her for that
I wonder at this point whether she would care?
FYI….While channel surfing I found FOX doing it’s usual handwringing. This time it was Bill O’Liely looking all pale and distraught over the DNC platform kerfuffle over god & Jerusalem. That poor old boy needs a good falafeling. 🙂
Quick throw him a loofah!!!!
I volunteer to do the falafeling!
My buddy, Cindy Hewitt, will be speaking about her experience with Bain when she worked for Dade Behring (bankrupted by Bain). She’s supposed to be on between 9:30 & 10.
Great!
Terrific, Viet Nam veterans – honoring veterans. Brilliant move on the part of the organizers, especially after the RNC convention failure to mention them.
Amazing — it’s the grunts who fight the wars that the “I made it myself” folks get us into.
So that is Classy Dems.
HT I will say it again, last night when Elaine Byre said that when someone helps you (as Michelle did with her four soliders in the war), that she will always remember that, and was there to introduce Michelle, and help get Obama elected………..that hit a home run in my court.
This is an extremely well-planned and well-run convention so far. Hitting all the right notes. I’m impressed.
and tonight’s sexist idiot award goes to:
Ann Coulter @AnnCoulter
Bill Clinton just impregnated Sandra Fluke backstage…
What a vile excuse for a human being Coulter is. She’ll say anything to get attention.
Good grief, has that woman no sense of decency?
I said it last night, I’ll say it tonight: The GOP party and Ann can go f..k themselves.
Colorado Governor Hickenlooper – very well spoken. He released twenty two years of tax returns (sly dig).
I’m amazed at the differences between the RNC attendees and the DNC attendees. One was a sea of white, this one is a sea of multi color.
as it should be. The world is so much more interesting with so many cultures and races. I’ll be looking for a photo of the sea of faces. I’m glad I grew up in Hawaii.
northwest – check it out here. It’s amazingly uplifting.
http://www.c-span.org/DNC/Live/
OH, crap. there’s an INVEST in the Gulf and I just bought $250 in groceries and cleaning supplies … I can’t afford to throw out another refrigerator full of food.
http://www.wunderground.com/
Not again? Why on earth does NOLA get hit so often? why on earth are you still living there? I know you’re looking for a job elsewhere, any luck?
I have to get on the job market. It starts in earnest this month. My major professor has been bugging me again.
Good luck – you know you can send your resume to other countries as well. I know it would be a wrench, but any country would be lucky to get you.
Hey, we are here to help you sister Dak……..
Sister Simone!!!
Yes to that!
Sister Simone:
Says U.S. Conference of Bishops has come out against Romney/Ryan Budget because it would hurt families.
Talking about “shared responibility”. Need for govt. to help the vulnerable – food stamps, ACA, etc.
Romney/Ryan Budget is “immoral”.
“Join the Nuns on the Bus as we fight for faith, family, and fairness!”
Sister Simone on now. Amazing woman.
She doesn’t forget the poor, the down and out, she loves in her mind, her heart and her soul.
Small business owners – jeebus the convention organizers are brilliant. I didn’t do it, we did it.
Kamala Harris was very good. She should run for a higher position, cause we need more, many more articulate, intelligent women.
Another rising star. Watch for her to go far.
Ditto for Benita Velez.
sorry, that should be Veliz.
latino invasion – and what latinos! Christina Saralegui – palante, palante (sic).
Christina – wow, just wow. What a woman.
Such a brave young woman. Only a person with a heart of stone would deport her and others like her.
President Obama is coming to the hall tonight.
NEW THREAD UP!!!
I’ve started a fresh thread up above. We’ll need it, because Sandra Fluke is coming up, and then Elizabeth Warren and Bill Clinton. Come on up!!