News Features Interactive Shows Web Services |
| |  |  | VOA Online Discussion: The 2008 Democratic Convention
| Guest: Jennifer Trotter, Texas Delegate
Date: 28 Aug 08
Moderator: Frances Alonzo
|
|
 |
|  |
Frances Alonzo: Welcome to today’s T2A’s chat with 2008 Democratic party activist Jennifer Trotter. Jennifer is with us on Day 4 of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado to answer questions about her experiences.
-------------------------------
| Frances Alonzo: Last night the highlight of the night was the prime time speech of the Vice Presidential Nominee, Joe Biden. He was introduced in a video highlighting his foreign policy experience and about his personal life. The personal aspects of Joe Biden’s speech, included the story of how lost his wife and a child in car accident and how his life changed afterwards, brought many to tears including Michelle Obama, wife of Barak Obama. How did Joe Biden do? Did he balance the ticket?
Jennifer Trotter: Joe Biden did exactly what he needed to do last night. Joe seems able to connect to working class Americans. This is highlighted by his commitment to his family. It is clear that although he has been a senator for over 30 years, he is not really a Washingtonian.
-------------------------------
|
Marcien FOSSUO: Hi there Frances, hi there Jennifer. President Clinton mentioned Obama's name 15 times during last night's speech. The McCain camp said Clinton finally was forced to say that Obama is ready. How do you comment.
Jennifer Trotter: I'm not a hundred percent convinced that President Clinton was forced to say what he said last night. That being said, if you look at the speeches over the course of the week, there seems to be a progression of support for Senator Obama. It was fitting that President Clinton said that Senator Obama is ready to lead as he is a former President himself. A former President would know what it takes to be Commander-in-Chief.
-------------------------------
|
Frances Alonzo: Tonight’s theme is “Change you can believe in” where the high point of the evening is Barak Obama accepting the Democratic Nomination. What are expecting to hear in his speech?
Jennifer Trotter: I am expecting Senator Obama to underscore the historical importance of the evening while at the same time discussing his plans for change and reclaiming the American Dream. So this week, we have been introduced to Senator Obama and his life story. Tonight is the night when we see the fulfillment of Martin Luther King Jr's dream. I would also love to hear Senator Obama talk about the Democratic family and unity.
-------------------------------
|
P.Madan Mohan from Chitoor, India: Generally the promises that are made by the nominees of both Democratic and Republican parties may or may not be implemented after electing them as President. Do the American people vote only for the promises made by the nominees?
Jennifer Trotter: It is an interesting question, just yesterday I heard Governor Howard Dean, the Chair of the Democratc National Convention, speak about the manner in which most Americans vote. It turns out that most Americans vote for candidates who share their values. I believe that this election, most Americans will vote for hope and change rather than divisive policies. It is also important to note, that there are several other federal, state and local elections being held in November. Unless these Democratic candidates are also elected it will be difficult for Senator Obama and Senator Biden to implement the policies they discussed.
-------------------------------
|
Marcien FOSSUO: Gallup daily tracking polls reveal this: Obama 46%, McCain 44%. Can this slight advantage be maintained till at least the Republican National Convention kick off?
Jennifer Trotter: Although I am not a pollster, I did attend a meeting yesterday with a well-known pollster where she said that she anticipated at least a 10 point jump after tonight's speech. This will more than likely be equalized next week during the Republican National Convention. So I would anticipate at least two weeks before we understand where the poll numbers really are. One last thing about Gallup tracking polls, these are national polls. It is important to note that the U.S. elects presidents on a state-by-state electoral basis. Although a lot of attention is paid to the convention's evening program, I have actually found the daytime delegate meetings to be extremely helpful and insightful. I have learned about national resources available to those of us at the grass-roots level. This is also a great time to be in a more intimate setting with many of those elected officials who speak at night.
-------------------------------
| Jennifer Trotter: I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for sharing this experience with me as a first time delegate. It has been amazing. I look forward to celebrating Senator Obama's acceptance speech this evening but I know that there is a significant amount of work to be done. This work includes not only new voter registration and education but also continuing to bridge the divide between ardent Clinton supporters and the Obama faithful. I also realized that although at night in the convention hall we all seem united. We have a lot of work to comfort those who are essentially grieving over Senator Clinton's loss. I think President Clinton did what he needed to do. He came right out and said it without mincing words. However, I am concerned that Senator Clinton's support for Senator Obama does not seem as heartfelt. This seems to leave the door open for her most ardent supporters to continue to support Senator Clinton rather than Senator Obama. In fact, I spoke to many Clinton supporters at her delegate meeting yesterday to gauge their reaction after she spoke. Several of them indicated that they would only be voting at the state and local level and would not cast a vote for President.
-------------------------------
|
Frances Alonzo : That’s it for today’s T2A web chat. Thanks for joining us. Our thanks to our guest Jennifer Trotter,a first time delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. 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
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
