Watching History (and Obama) at Invesco Field

Yesterday I attended the last day of the 2008 Democratic National Convention at Invesco Field in Denver. It was an experience I will never forget, for I was able to be a witness to history - and one heckuva speech.

I luckily was able to get a press pass to the event, and sat in Section 134, in the end zone, underneath the main scoreboard. The day was perfect - 75 degrees, and not a cloud in the sky.

I arrived at around 3:15 Pm MST, and my first impression was “wow, there’s a LOT of security”. I snaked through a security line that took me though a metal detector and then, it was time to take in the “show”.

The buzz in the corridors was palpable - radio stations had set up in the concourses and there was chatter, chatter, chatter, everywhere. I had never seen anything like it.

The official program started around 4PM with Jennifer Hudson singing the National Anthem (really one of the best versions I’ve ever heard), and Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. I put my hand over my heart and wondered when was the last time I said this out loud. 8th grade? Probably.

“With Liberty and Justice For All“. Amen.

The parade of speakers then began, none really stirring the crowd. This was a BIG hall to play, and unless they knew how to get people’s attention, the words just floated out there, unattended to.

I struck up conversations with the press people around me - they were a multi-cultural, international, and fascinating lot - as the speakers droned on. I also sampled the food. As someone who is on a gluten-free diet, my options were limited, so a big bag of popcorn became my dinner, washed down with a lemonade.

Attention was finally focused on the stage when it was time to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia was there, and he passionately recalled that day. Then the video of the MLK speech hit the screens, and those lines “Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!” blasted over the PA. I sat motionless, felt a wave of emotion, and absorbed this history like I was experiencing it for the first time.

Things perked back up when John Legend took the stage and sang ‘Yes, We Can”, while American flags were being distributed to the crowd. I got mine and immediately felt a wave of patriotism as I waved it overhead with 50,000 other people. When was the last time I waved a flag? A 4th of July over 30 years ago, I recalled.

Then Sheryl Crow played a short set, featuring (of course) “Change Will Do You Good“. By this time the stadium was filling up quickly, and the “anticipation buzz” for the main event was growing.

Gov. Bill Richardson delivered a great speech, and then I really felt the force of 70K cheering people, waving their flags with partisan vigor.

There was a cool perk to being in the press section, which was receiving advance copies of the speeches. It really made a difference to see the lines on paper, and then see how they were delivered. What was the cadence? How did they handle the obvious applause lines? It was a great learning experience for me to look at it this way.

So by the time Al Gore hit the stage, I had already read most of his speech. He did a good job of delivering it, especially the line “hey, I believe in recycling, but this is ridiculous” (referring to his “more of the same” point about the GOP). That was a really good example of how hearing a well delivered line has much more impact than just reading it.

Gore was also the beneficiary of a fully engaged crowd - by this time the place was rockin’. The stadium staple “the wave” created a huge roar as it passed me by. Of course, I couldn’t help but join in the fun (and try to Twitter everything at the same time!).

I was then handed an advance look at Obama’s speech, and a big blue “Change” sign (I was quite impressed with the campaign choreography). It was almost showtime.

The buzz was now overwhelming. It was now dark, so the lighting also played its part in creating a high energy atmosphere. I tried really hard to “be in the moment” as I scanned the crowd - this was something that I would likely never experience again. This was history happening, and I was there to witness it.

Right before the big speech , several “ordinary citizens” took the stage to tell their stories, and why they were supporting Obama. I thought this was really a good touch, and they were well received and supported by the crowd.

Finally, 5 hours later, it was time. They started by showing a video biography of Obama - this was very well done - you could tell because even though there were now 84,000 people there, you could hear a pin drop while it was playing. It hit all the right notes, especially in regards to his views on family and the value of work.

Then Obama hit the stage - pandemonium. Flashbulbs popping like crazy. “Change” signs and American flags everywhere. What a sight!

Then he began to speak, and you could tell right away that this guy knew what he was doing. I know he gets a lot of flak for being such a polished speaker, but as someone who regularly gets in front of people to speak, I know that this is not easy to do, especially in front of 84,000 people, and millions more on TV.

He delivered the speech forcefully, and with great confidence and posture, but not so much as to appear overconfident or elitist. His cadence was pitch-perfect. I remember thinking - “wow, what a clinic on public speaking”. To me, this tells a lot about a person, and more importantly, about a leader.

I joined the crowd in wildly applauding his key lines, waving my sign and flag - yep, I was swept up in the moment, and loving every minute of it.

He wrapped it up by talking about “America’s Promise” - the “can do” spirit of its citizens. It is “our greatest inheritance“, he said.

He quoted MLK - “We cannot walk alone“. “We cannot turn back“.

He ended his speech with a thunderous roar. Fireworks exploded overhead. I made my way out of the stadium with a feeling of gratefulness, that I could live in a country that could deliver on such a promise. That could celebrate a democratic political process in such a way. And that I could be a direct part of it, even for just one night.

I became an American again. I Pledged my allegiance. I waved the flag. I absorbed its history. And our responsibility and legacy to keep the American spirit alive.

Not bad for 5 hours!