Frances Alonzo:Welcome to today’s T2A’s chat with 2008 Democratic party activist Jennifer Trotter and Obama biographer David Mendell, author of “Obama: From Promise to Power”. ------------------------------- Frances Alonzo:Last night Hillary Clinton praised Barak Obama. Her speech electrified the crowd, and she came across very strong, a definite team player. She was very generous and gracious in her speech. Was that the message of unity needed to heal the rift in the Democratic party? Did she convince her supporters to vote for Obama?
Jennifer Trotter:Yes. I believe that Senator Clinton spoke directly to her supporters last night. Her message reminded her ardent support base that this election is not about her and we are in far too critical of a time to be divided and allow Senator McCain in the White House. She completely accomplished the mission and I believe that she did exactly what we needed. After the speech, I had a chance to speak to several Hillary supporters who indicated that Senator Clinton's speech was exactly what they were looking for. ------------------------------- Frances Alonzo:Now tonight we hear from Bill Clinton, there is also to be a roll call. What’s the importance of this roll call and what role what do you as a delegate play?
Jennifer Trotter:The roll call vote that will take place this evening will ultimately nominate Senator Barak Obama as the Democratic Presidential candidate. As a delegate, my role is to cast my vote for Senator Obama. Even though, there is a roll call vote, after last night, I do feel that as a party we have moved closer together. ------------------------------- Marcien FOSSUO:Hello there. Senator Clinton called for democrats unity and also asked supporters to help elect Obama as expected yesterday. Her speech was 88 years after women got right to vote. Do you think Jennifer that the message sufficiently convinced Americans? And how significant did American women received the speech?
Jennifer Trotter:There is no doubt, that Senator Clinton has ultimately changed the face of American politics. I think that her speech last night proved that. Senator Clinton spoke directly to especially women of prior generations who have struggled to obtain equal rights both politically and pay equity. Women of my generation heard Senator Clinton and realized that her historic presidential run makes it possible for our daughters to reach for their dreams. I believe that Senator Clinton spoke from her heart and reaffirmed her position as a champion of Democratic ideals and as a leader of the Democratic party. ------------------------------- Frances Alonzo:Now to another highlight of the evening, a look at the Democratic “Dream” Team vice presidential pick Joe Biden. Let’s talk about him and what he brings to the table. Do you like him?
Jennifer Trotter:So Senator Biden brings several things to the Democratic ticket. One, he is a fighter and can draw on over 30 years of experience. He also is a foreign policy expert. This is exactly what we will need to improve the United States' standing in the world. He will be able to articulate Senator Obama's message while also clearly differentiating their message from that of the Bush policies that McCain supports. I also believe that Senator Biden will be able to connect to the working class. ------------------------------- Frances Alonzo:Let's talk about immigration issues. They have not been really addressed at the convention. That is not to say that is not an important issue that is being discussed. What are your views about the issue as it has come up during your experience during the convention?
Jennifer Trotter: Being from a border state and the daughter of a Peruvian mother, immigration is especially important for me. Senator Obama has a fair and comprehensive plan. This plan includes securing our borders in a fair manner, fixing immigration bureaucracy, and cracking down on employers who hire undocumented immigrants. As a US Senator, Senator Obama introduced legislation that ensures that immigration fees are fair and reasonable. ------------------------------- Marcien FOSSUO:Jennifer, what is it like having a US Roman Catholic Vice-Presidential nominee? I speak of course about Joe Biden.
Jennifer Trotter:The United States is a nation that is founded upon the ability to practice or not practice any religion of one's choosing. I believe that Senator Biden's faith strengthens Senator Obama's own strong sense of faith, however, a candidate's religious affiliation does not really make that much of a difference to me personally. ------------------------------- Marcien FOSSUO:Apart from lack of experience, Senator McCain has criticized Senator Obama of lack of patriotism. What do you say about that?
Jennifer Trotter:Although Senator Obama is not a Washington insider, he has spent his life's work fighting for the common American. I believe this experience is a great asset to the White House. As far as Senator Obama's sense of patriotism, I really know of no greater demonstration of one's patriotism than dedicating one's life to public service whatever that may be. ------------------------------- Marcien FOSSUO:
Senator Obama's speech tomorrow is widely awaited. Forty-five years to the day after Martin Luther King's famous "I have a Dream" speech. How historic will be the speech be tomorrow?
Jennifer Trotter:Tomorrow's speech is not just about Senator Obama. It is the marking of a new generation stepping up to lead this nation. It is essentially the fulfillment of Martin Luther King Jr's dream. This day will go down as one of the most important days in American history. Our children will learn about August 28th, 2008 as the day that the United States marked the nomination of one of the greatest Presidents of all time. ------------------------------- Frances Alonzo:Education has been a central theme throughout this convention. In your opinion, has all the educational issues been addressed to your satisfaction?
Jennifer Trotter:Education has not received quite the attention that I would like. It is so important because it shapes the future of our next generation. I am excited to hear more about the specifics surrounding Senator Obama's plan to expand early childhood, Head Start and high quality after-school programs. These programs are proven to help at-risk youth and keep them out of trouble. I also hope that the American people can learn more about Senator Obama's plan to create a tax credit for college education. This is so important because it would help make higher education more accessible for all Americans. ------------------------------- Hio Tiao Lim, Philippines:Whatever the outcome of the US Presidential Elections, the World is watching because the US influences a lot. Good luck to the candidates!
Jennifer Trotter:Thank you so much for the comment. We are excited to share this historical moment with the entire world. ------------------------------- Frances Alonzo:Welcome David Mendell to our program. Your book is 'Rising Star' biography. Why write about Obama? Why him?
David Mendell:It wasn't so much that I chose Obama, but this subject chose me. I was assigned to cover the Democratic primary election to the U.S. Senate in 2003-04 for the Chicago Tribune. So I was there 'at creation,' so to speak, when the Obama phenomena first took hold -- and so I just kept following this magnificent story as long as a I could. ------------------------------- Frances Alonzo:What do you hope our VOA audience learns from reading your book?
David Mendell:I hope that readers will have a more well-rounded view of Senator Obama. My research took me to Hawaii, Africa, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington D.C. and other locales to tell what I believe is the fullest and most objective account of the senator. I interviewed him, his wife Michelle, his top aides and closest friends and they provided glimpses into his character and personality that I don't believe readers will find elsewhere, even in Obama's own books. So I hope that my work gives American voters and people around the world a fuller view of this historic American political figure. ------------------------------- Marcien FOSSUO:It is interesting to have you David here. Many questions are being asked about the real origin of Senator Obama. It is true he's from Kenya. But here in Cameroon there is a region or a province where we have many many Obama -as name- of course. In your during your research come across Obama's pedigree or genealogy? Who were his grand grand fathers? Thank you.
David Mendell: I did not research Obama's specific ancestry, although it sounds fascinating since I understand that Vice President Dick Cheney is a distant-distant cousin of his on his mother's side of the family. I was more concerned with telling the story of who Obama is and how he arrived at this moment in history. ------------------------------- Frances Alonzo:How much of your book do you see as a window into an Obama White House?
David Mendell: Well, I think my book provides a glimpse into how Obama might govern as a president. In Illinois, he legislated from the left of the political spectrum, but was not a strident left-winger. He believes in pragmatic solutions to problems and doesn't adhere to a particular political ideology. He also has been a consensus builder throughout his career, and I think he would try to bridge some partisan divides that exist in Washington now. ------------------------------- Frances Alonzo: Do you plan to write a sequel to this one in a few years?
David Mendell: At this point, I am not planning a sequel. My book was a very honest account of Obama's ascent -- warts and all. Some of his top advisers, as a consequence, were not thrilled with the final product. So my access has been limited since the book was released. But you never know, Obama's story continues to evolve and I might find myself sitting down to assemble another book one day. ------------------------------- Frances Alonzo:Your book is about Obamas’s rise in politics up to his decision to run for the Democratic nomination. In chapter 22, you write that after Obama took the oath of office as senator. His young daughter, asked if he was going to become president? Tell us about that. Have things turned out the way you thought they might for Obama?
David Mendell :That was a priceless moment in Obama's story. And Obama's reaction was key, as well -- he neither told her yes nor no. He surveyed the reporters around him and didn't respond at all, for fear that he would look overly ambitious. This was an example of how his personal life changed so dramatically as a result of his mounting celebrity and fame. He couldn't even answer his daughter's innocent question with a straight answer! -------------------------------
Frances Alonzo:That’s it for today’s T2A web chat. Thanks for joining us. Our thanks to our guests Jennifer Trotter,a first time delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado and Obama biographer David Mendell, author of “Obama: From Promise to Power”. You can learn more about our guests from the link on our webpage and you can find the transcript of today’s chat. Just go to voanews.com and click on the T2A link. Stay with us for our weeklong discussion on the 2008 Democratic National Convention. We invite you to join us live at 1500 UTC to ask your questions or share your opinions on the 2008 Presidential Election. Remember, you can also send your questions or comments in advance to chat@voanews.com.
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