Denver Doings

YES... that's me in the yellow Obama T-shirt, doing my "Delegate Duty" sitting with the CA Delegation at the Pepsi Center. I think the photo was shot during Hillary Clinton's speech on Tuesday evening. Some friends said they saw me on CNN, CSNBC and C-Span. I promised to take you with me to the DNC Convenention in Denver so let's go!

Saturday: Missed my plane (put the wrong take-off time on my schedule) but while waiting for the next flight had a great time in the LAX terminal talking to Merle Davis and Deborah LeBlanc. Took the Super Shuttle from the DEN terminal to the Sheraton Hotel (formerly the Mark Adams Hotel) where the CA and NY delegations are housed. On the way in to Denver the sky was alight with a dazzling display of fireworks welcoming us to the Mile High City. I Saw Willis Edwards in the lobby as I checked in. Went to my room, unpacked and went to sleep.

Sunday AM: Having received a letter of invitation from the pastor, went to worship service at Trinity United Methodist Church. Pastor Michael Dent preached a good service on leadership and transformation. Met a lot of Denverites. More later.

Wednesday AM: Oh my God! This convention is sooooo exciting and soooo exhausting. I only have 5 minutes to use this computer in the business center (shoulda brought my laptop) so I'll do a few highlights:

Denver folks are really friendly. Just about everybody greets me with "Welcome to Denver."

Last night's speech by Hillary Clinton was every thing I prayed it would be; unifying, uplifting, pointed, and stronly in support of the party line.

Many friends and familiar faces are here; I have spoken with Bobbie Parks, Brenda Marsh Mitchell (Sentinel), Assemblymember Mike Davis, Rev. Fred Murph, Rep. Diane Watson, (oops time to go. More later.)

BACK IN L.A. Apologies are in order... I just could not get to a computer in order to keep this blog updated in a timely manner. I'm back home now so I will do a retrospective of the convention and post that here as well as send it in an email blast. Suffice it to say that the entire convention experience was electrifying, inspirational, motivational, uplifting, and in every way simply marvelous and wonderful.

Thank you my friends and supporters for making it so easy for me to do all I wanted to do. Now we must be about the business of getting Barack Obama elected... FIRED UP, READY TO GO!!

WELCOME

WELCOME... my place is your place. Come in and sit a spell.

I hope to use this blog to share with you my experiences as District-Level Delegate to the Democratic National Convention Conference August 28 - 30 in Denver and on to the Presidential Election in November.

WHY I RAN...
I ran for Obama Delegate in the 33rd congressional district (Diane Watson) and was elected in the Obama Caucus on Sunday April 13th 2008. These are exciting and historic times.

I ran for district-level Obama delegate because I resonate with Obama when he says "I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington DC… I'm asking you to believe in yours."

I ran because I believe. I believe in government of the people by the people and for the people. I believe that with our help Obama can lead our nation to a place of respect and prominence where every American citizen is regarded and every foreign nation is our ally. This is an electrifying time in our national election history. No matter who receives the Democratic nomination... it will be historic. I invite you to take the journey with me.

Peace, Jackie Hawthorne
Obama Delegate CD33
323 574 1464 cell

P.S.
Go to the sidebar links and click "Jackie in the L.A. Times"
to check me out in the Thursday June 5th edition
on page A18.

MY SCHEDULE at the DNC NATIONAL CONVENTION

DNC Convention Schedule (General Overview)
I will arrive Saturday, August 23rd. The Convention officially begins on Monday, August 25, but most delegates will arrive over the weekend (August 23-24). The Denver Host Committee is hosting a party for the CA Delegation Sunday evening and one for the media Saturday evening.
The Convention program runs from 4 p.m. until approximately 9 p.m. all four nights (Monday-Thursday, August 25-28). There is a California delegation breakfast each morning at the Sheraton Denver at 8 a.m. At breakfast we will receive pertinent information and hear a variety of speakers.

Convention Hall Access
I must pick up my credential EACH MORNING of the Convention at the Sheraton Denver between 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. I WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INTO THE CONVENTION HALL WITHOUT MY CREDENTIAL!!! National Convention security and credentialing procedures are extremely complex and there will be no exceptions. LOST CREDENTIALS WILL NOT BE REPLACED. Sooo, if I party at night, I'd better be at breakfast the next morning no matter what!!

Note-- I have no additional guest credentials and no observer credentials!!!

CA Delegation Housing
The California Delegation hotel is Sheraton Denver (formerly Adams Mark Hotel) 1550 Court Place, Denver, CO 80202. It is located on the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall in the heart of downtown Denver. The hotel is three blocks from the Pepsi Center, the venue for the national convention.
Transportation will be provided between the delegation hotel and Pepsi Center. Transportation between other locations and the Sheraton Denver is not provided. Housing reservations must be made through the CDP and I have made mine. Guests may room with Convention attendees, but may not enter into the Convention hall.

MY SCHEDULE:

Saturday - August 23rd 2008
Depart LAX. Arrive Denver.
Check-in Sheraton Denver Hotel.
1:00pm - 5:00pm Pre-registration/ official attendees only. Sheraton Plaza Level.
6:00 - 10pm Invite Only/ Media Welcoming Celebration. Elitch Gardens 2000 Elitch Circle.

Sunday - August 24th 2008
8:15am - 10:15am Trinity UMC/ Dr. Michael D. Dent, pastor. 1820 Broadway, 80202.
11:30am - 1:30pm Credentials Committee Meeting. Korbel Ballroom 4. Colorado Convention Center.
2:00pm - 4:00pm Interfaith Gathering. Colorado Convention Center - Wells Fargo Theatre. Open to the public. No ticket required.
6:00pm - 8:00pm CA Delegation Reception.
Friends of New Orleans welcome party for delegates at CO Conv. Center.
RSVP Amy Emerick at 720-362-2246.

Monday - August 25th 2008
7:30am - 11:00am Daily Credentials
8:00am - 10:00am CA Delegation Breakfast, Sheraton Denver Hotel.
8:00am - 2:00pm $1-$100,00/Unconvential Women, Buell Theatre
RSVP http://www.unconventionalwomen.org/
3:00pm - 5:30pm $150-$5,000/ Feminist Majority "Women's Equalitea"
The University Club, 1673 Sherman Street, Denver CO
RSVP: http://www.feministmajority.org/
4:00pm - 9:00pm Official DNC Proceedings, Pepsi Center.
9:00pm - 11:00pm Dessert Reception Hosted By Senator Dianne Feinstein. Window Room Sheraton Denver 1550 Court Place
RSVP haroonkhan1@yahoo.com or call 202-285-0945
10:00pm - 1:00am Planned Parenthood "Sex, Politics & Cocktails Party"
The Samba Room, 1460 Larimer Street, Denver CO
RSVP: 202 973 4832

Tuesday - August 26th 2008
7:30am - 11:00am Daily Credentials
8:00am - 10:00am CA Delegation Breakfast, Sheraton Denver Hotel.
10:00am - 12:00pm Women's Caucus, Colorado Convention Center
12:00pm - 2:00pm Faith Council, Colorado Convention Center
1:30pm - 4:00pm Emily's List gala reception, Sheraton Denver Hotel
RSVP http://www.emilyslist.org.convention2008/
2:00pm - 4:00pm Barbara Boxer PAC. CA Tea. Theorie Restaurant A Lounge.
4:00pm - 9:00pm Official DNC Proceedings, Pepsi Center
5:00pm - 6:00pm Salute to Veterans. Westin Hotel, Tabor Center. 1672 Lawrence St.
RSVP salute@vetsvision.org or call 800 528 5385.
7:30pm - 10:30pm GLBT/ Rock to Win Concert. Fillmore Auditorium 1510 Clarkson St. $98 & $500 tix. Featuring Thelma Houston plus others.
RSVP http://www.boxofficetickets.com.hrc/ or 800 494 8497.
9:00pm - 11:00pm CBCF Reception
Pinnacle Club, Grand Hyatt Denver, 38th Floor, 1740 Welton Street 80202
9:30pm - 1:00am Eric Garcetti/ Rising Stars Party. Club 5 Degrees 1475 Lawrence St
RSVP risingstarsparty@gmail.com
10:00pm - 1:00am Labor & Vets/ Together We Can Celebration. Coors Field RocHenge Skybox Conference Suite.
RSVP labor.vet.unitedforamerica@gmail.com or 800 278 7906.

Wednesday - August 27th 2009
7:30am - 11:00am Daily Credentials
8:00am - 10:00am CA Delegation Breakfast, Sheraton Denver Hotel.
10:00am - 12:00pm Delegate Service Day. Park restoration. Confluence Park.
Sign up at demconvention.com/delegates2008.
10:00am - 12:00pm African American Caucus. Colorado Convention Center.
12:00pm - 2:00pm Invite only/ Union Pacific Lunch for CA Delegation.
12:00pm - 2:00pm Senior Council. Colorado Convention Center.
2:00pm - 4:00pm Invite only/ Reception for CA Delegation.
3:00pm - 5:00pm Novartis Pharmaceuticals Reception. Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton Street.
RSVP http://www.conventiondesigns.com/ Event Code: NBCSL2008
Or 800.656.5660 x 17776.
4:00pm - 9pm Official DNC Proceedings, Pepsi Center
9:00pm - 1:00am CDP/ CA Delegation Gala. Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

Thursday - August 28th 2008
7:30am - 11:00am Daily Credentials, Sheraton Denver Hother
8:00am - 10:00am CA Delegation Breakfast, Sheraton Denver Hotel.
10:00am - 12:00pm Women's Caucus, Colorado Convention Center.
12:00pm - 2:00pm Faith Council, Colorado Convention Center.
4:00pm - 9:00pm Official DNC Proceedings, Invesco Field Mile High Stadium.

Friday - August 29th 2008
Extended Stay. Sheraton Denver Hotel.

Saturday - August 30th 2008
Check-out Sheraton Denver Hotel.
Depart Denver. Arrive LAX.

DNCC Watch Parties for your friends and family -- with special guest speakers -- will be hosted Monday through Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Theatre in the Colorado Convention Center. If you have friends and family who might be interested in attending the watch party, please contact your State Party with the number of tickets you would like to request.

Community Credentials for Obama Acceptance Speech. Thursday night of the Convention will take place at INVESCO field instead of the Pepsi Center. Information on community credentials to INVESCO for your friends and family can be found at www.demconvention.com/invesco.

Starz Green Room 8/23 - 8/28 - All Day Event. Starz Film Center in the Tivoli . 900 Auraria Parkway. Open exclusively to badgeholders and invited guests.

I'm Elected... Now What?

I'm coming down from my high... I've been on Cloud Nine since my election on Sunday April 13th. Now that I'm elected... It's time to get back to the business of getting Obama elected!

I invite you to join me as a VOLUNTEER. Volunteering IS EASY!! Go to the side bar and click on Volunteer...HELP OBAMA WIN for instructions to get started. Once on the website, log in to create your account and get registered. Then navigate the website to discover how you can best fit in. Be sure to click on Action and then select one or more of the opportunities listed on that drop down menu.

I invite you to support me financially. See my post Contributions to see what I've raised and how it's used.

WHAT'S NEXT?

1. August 25th - 28th, 2008 Democratic National Convention
At present, there are 4,235 Delegate slots nationally. Democratic presidential candidates must get 2,118 Delegates to win the nomination. It has been one hundred years since the Democratic National Convention was held in the Rocky Mountain city of Denver and it will bring together nearly 5,000 delegates and alternates from the states and territories. As a member of the CA Delegation, I am a part of the largest, most diverse and most dynamic delegation at the National Convention. I will work hard to make Barack Obama our Democratic Nominee for President!! More than 35,000 people – including official Convention attendees, members of the media, foreign dignitaries, elected officials and Democratic activists from all over the country – are expected to converge in Denver for the National Convention. Is this exciting... or what???

2. September 1st - 4th, 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis

3. October 6th - Absentee Voting Begins

4. October 20th - Last Day to Register to Vote for General Election

5. October 28th - Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot

6. November 4, 2008 - Presidential Election

7. December 15th - Electoral College meets at 2pm in the Assembly Chambers, State Capitol.

2009

8. January 3rd - Last Day of 110th Congress.

9. January 20th - PRESIDENT OBAMA SWORN IN

10. February 20-22 - CA GOP Convention, Sacramento Hyatt Regency

11. April 24-26 - CDP State Convention, Sacrament Convention Center

Let's all work hard to get Barack Obama elected President of the U.S. of A.!!

Contributions & Supporters

Delegate Costs
While there are no fees for attending the National Convention; all Delegates must pay their own expenses, including travel, lodging and meals. This blog post will keep an updated accounting of contributions and I will also post my delegate expenses.

I am truly blessed to have such generous family and friends. Donations have ranged from $3 to $300. If you would like to make a donation, please send your check or money order made payable to Jackie Hawthorne, Obama Delegate and mail to 4120 Don Ibarra Place, Los Angeles 90008. Thank you.

Contribution Accounting
Kay Willis Fund Raiser 4/18/08 $1,310.oo
Gwen Wyatt Chorale Fund Raiser 7/19/08 $2,060.00
Betty Gross Fund Raiser 7/27/08 $110.00
Ronald Coleman/Ernesdyne Fund Raiser 8/17/08 $598.00
Other Contributions to date $1,260.00
Total Contributions as of 8/20/08 $5,338.00
Goal $5,000.00

Actual Expenses
$132.00 Campaign Flyer Printing & Distribution
$258.00 Campaign Buttons & Signs
$275.00 Obama Supplies
$150.00 Obama Apparel
$118.00 Airfare to May 18 Mandatory Delegation Meeting
$36.00 Taxi fare and lunch at May 18 Delegation Meeting
$276.00 Airfare Reservation to August 25-28 DNC Convention

List of Contributors
Valerie Adams
Patricia Adams
Yvonne Agbontaen
Betty Alexander
Delores Alleyne
Brenda Andrews
Glorya Armour
Johnny Austin
Billie Jean Barrett
Maxine Baxter
Barbara Bolton-Jones
Versie Booker
William Bouie, Jr.
Deborah Bradley
Evelyn & Thomas Brackeen
Paula Brand
Theresa Brown
Walter & Joynell Burgess
Renee L. Campbell
Jim & Mary Chitty
Estella Clements
Verna Coggins
Jim Conn
Ruth & Ludlow Creary
Chris & Diane Daniel
Kathryn Davis
Arlene Day
Star Dixon
Pearlye Dorsey
Doris Dyer
Thelma Eaton
Paul Eichie, Esq.
Dolores Evans
Marva Farmer
Marian Flowers
Phil & Connee Freeman
Ann Gafford
Nedra Gardner
Samuel Ghartey
Gloria Grayson
Betty Gross
Jerry & Geraldine Hale
Michael Hale
Kayretha Hale Willis Esq.
Geraldine Hayes
Mary Headley
Billy Henderson
Ernestine Hennings
Edna Horiuchi
Lori Horton
Dorothy Hudson
H. Clay Jack, Esq.
Willie Jones
Danellen Joseph
Janice Kenner Klopner
Constance King
Deborah LeBlanc
Velma Marshall
Velma Marshall
LaVerne Martin
Jesse Mathus
Cora McCasker
Yvonne McFadden
Ken Mifflin
Juana Mora
Cecil & Ethelyn Motley, Jr.
Helen Nishiyama
Shirley Omerigbo
Jerry Peters
Georgia Pettis
Howard Robinson
Gene Rothman, DSW
Roy Salmon
Geraldine & Frederick Salvani
Donnie Shelton
Mary Simpson
Calvin Singleton
June Small
Willa Snorton
Daisy Spearman
Ruthie Spearman
Adelyn Stovall
Sanaz Tahernia
Alice (Bunny) Taylor
Evelyn Thompson
Greg Thompson
Wayne Walters
Charles & Diana White
Miriam White
Everett Wigley
Kathy Michelle Willborn
Marguerite Williams
Lenora Williams
Patricia Williams
Anonymous

In-Kind Contributions
Betty Alexander
Gloria Alves
Theresa Brown
Ronald Coleman
Ernesdyne Davis
Willis Edwards
Marva Farmer
Barbara Feiga
Alfred Foster
Jamal Foster
Michael Hale
Kay Hale Willis
Chloe Harris
Hilary Hawthorne
LaVerne Martin
Helen Nishiyama
Angela Shaw
Pat White
Gwen Wyatt
Henry Zachery
L.A. Transition Center

How to Contact the Obama Campaign (via Gene Rothman)

The Race
From day one of this campaign, Senator Obama has made the case to the American people that what we need is real change in Washington, and that he’s candidate to make it happen. We can see that his message has resonated with voters—so much so, in fact, that now John McCain wants to borrow it.

We’ve seen that the American people are hungry for change. They’re tired of economic policies that keep the American Dream out of reach for so many. They’re tired of a health care system and a tax code that only work for the wealthy. And they’re tired of a war that should never have been authorized and never have been waged. Senator Obama’s message has been the same from day one of this campaign: that there’s no problem we can’t solve if we come together and change our politics.

HOW TO CONTACT THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN
You can tell Senator Obama and the Obama campaign about your strong feelings
on any issues by calling or emailing the numbers and addresses below.

CALL THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN at 312 819-2008.
Ask to speak to the people listed below. If they are not in, ask for their voicemail
and leave a message. Be sure to tell them that you are an Obama campaign contributer:

EMAIL THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN

David Plouffe - Campaign Manager -
dplouffe@barackobama.com

Steve Hildebrand - Deputy National Campaign Manager -
shildebrand@barackobama.com

Jon Carson - National Field Director -
jcarson@barackobama.com

Juliana Smoot - Finance Director -
jsmoot@barackobama.com

Joe Rospars - Media Director -
jrospars@barackobama.com

Robert Gibbs - Communications Director -
rgibbs@barackobama.com

EMAIL THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN STAFFERS
David Axelrod - david@akpdmedia.com
Tom Daschle - tom.daschle@alston.com
Mitch Stewart - mstewart@barackobama.com
Paul Tewes - ptewes@barackobama.com