National Elections

Rep. John Lewis: People died for the right to vote, we have come too far together to ever turn back

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Civil Rights Movement hero Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) addressed the convention on voting rights. "My dear friends, your vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful, nonviolent tool we have to create a more perfect union." Lewis went on to describe the literacy tests and poll taxes that are now unconstitutional.

"Today it is unbelievable that there are Republican officials who are trying to stop some people from voting. They are changing the rules, cutting polling hours and imposing requirements intended to suppress the vote . . . that's not right, that's not fair, and that is not just."

"I've seen this before. I've lived this before. Too many people struggled, suffered and died to make it possible for every American to exercise their right to vote. We have come too far together to ever turn back. So Democrats we must not be silent. We must stand up, speak up and speak out. We must march to the polls like never ever before. We must come together and exercise our sacred right."

Video below the fold.

Gabrielle Giffords leads the Pledge of Allegiance at DNC Convention

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords led the Pledge of Allegiance at the DNC Convention on Thursday. She received the longest sustained applause of any nonspeaker at either party's convention. The emotional moment moved many convention delegates to tears. Go Gabby!

Video below the fold.

James Taylor jokes about the empty chair at DNC Convention

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

North Carolina native son and five-time Grammy Award winner James Taylor opened the evening with crowd favorite “Carolina On My Mind.” As he took the stage, Taylor joked about the stool set on the stage for him. James Taylor makes 'empty chair' joke – POLITICO:

“I know it’s an empty chair. It makes you nervous, doesn’t it?” Taylor said after he walked on the stage. “It’s alright, I’m gonna sit on it. I’m not gonna talk to it.”

After the final refrain, Taylor smiled and said, “You know, I’ve been watching the coverage, and I’ve got to say, there’s something; I don’t get it. I mean, I’m an old white guy, and I love Barack Obama,” Taylor said to cheers from the crowd.

Video below the fold.

Obama Campaign web video: ‘Promises Kept’

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

In advance of President Obama's convention speech tonight, the Obama campaign unveiled a web video this morning called "Promises
Kept." It features promises from his acceptance speech four years ago, highlighting
Obama's follow-through.

Video below the fold.

Cristina Saralegui addresses DREAMERS at the DNC Convention

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Cristina Saralegui, the Latina Oprah, was introduced by a DREAMER, Benita Veliz from San Antonio, Texas, an honor student and valdectorian of her high school class at the age of 16, and a college graduate at the age of 20.

Cristina Saralegui's talk show had 100 million viewers in 40 countries. She addressed the need for comprehensive immigration reform, and passage of the DREAM Act. She has never endorsed a political candidate in the past, but she has endorsed President Barack Obama for his efforts towards immigration reform.

Video below the fold.