Local delegate provides update from DNC
Published 9:25 am Tuesday, July 26, 2016
With the Republican Party energized after the conclusion of their national convention, it’s the Democratic Party’s turn to control the limelight.
The Democratic National Convention got underway Monday at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa., with thousands flocking to the area to prepare for the upcoming presidential election after the primary cycle that resulted in Hillary Clinton being named the presumptive nominee.
Lori Love, who serves on the state executive committee and represents part of Carter County, made a landing into the area Monday and said the party is overjoyed with what’s ahead for the week.
“The excitement here is great,” Love said. “I’m representing Tennessee as a Hillary Clinton delegate and everything so far seems very calm and centered. Everyone just seems so ecstatic to get things underway for this week.”
At the conclusion of last week, Clinton announced that Virginia senator and former governor Tim Kaine would be her running mate moving forward.
“Previous to hearing him, I thought he was a safe pick,” Love said. “But after hearing him speak, I thought he came off very well. He has a very diverse background, fluent in another language, and he seems to have a good mind and will compliment Hillary very well.”
Monday begins a first for Love, who is making her first ever trip to a DNC. Citing that she’s from the California area, she liked what she saw on the opening day.
“It’s going to be a very busy day,” she said with a laugh. “All the delegates are looking forward to getting into the Wells Fargo Center and taking part in this event.”
Keeping up with the tradition so far in this election year, the Democratic Party has also seen their fair share of headlines making it to the national stage.
After the recent revelation leaked by the WikiLeaks website, the DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz left her position. The former chairwoman accepted a position with the Clinton campaign and was expected to preside over the DNC, but was relieved of duties by Rep. Marcia Fudge of Ohio.
With expected protesting, like last week’s DNC, the delegates are expecting to keep a level ahead in the coming days, Love said.
“We’re just going to have to move on from this,” she added. “You want to believe that everyone in each party are all good people and are going to make the right decisions, and that’s not always the case. It’s unfortunate, but all we can do is accept what happened and move forward with this election.”
For a list of what’s ahead for the DNC over the week, visit the event’s website at demconvention.com or check updates on various social media outlets, including Facebook or Twitter.