Chris Owens snapped this photo with his cell phone ...

August 27, 2008

So today was the big day ... the day when the nomination of Barack Obama was to become official and America would have made a giant step towards minimizing the role of prejudice in our lives.

But first there was the drama, fueled by the media and the very existence of the Clintons. We didn't know how the roll call would play out. And then the roll call started.

I don't have to tell you how exciting the moment was to watch; you can see it for yourself if you have not done so already. But the level of tension and volcanic excitement within the New York Delegation was incredible.

I was seated at the front of the "plebe" Delegate section (non-federal elected officials). There were no assigned seats and you had to show up early to stake your claim. The front row was not ideal for seeing the speakers or the screens, but it was good for celebrity siting and conversations with people from around the nation.

Anyway, as New Mexico stood to deliver it's tally, Senator Clinton was hustled into the convention Center along the aisle directly towards us. The Delegation surged to its feet. Clinton was escorted by various people to the area around the microphone where statewide elected officials had congregated. When she started to speak, we were hushed. When she moved for acclamation, there was pandemonium. Those of us who had worked so hard to see Obama receive this nomination -- particularly in the hostile territory of New York State were ecstatic. Many of the Clinton supporters, particularly the elected officials, were "relieved' -- they could now dance the unity dance.

What a moment.