(photos courtesy Chris Porter)
As the Republican National Convention heads into its final night, we’ve just received a firsthand report from one of three West Seattleites who were delegates to the Democratic National Convention. It occurred to us way too late that we should have arranged with local delegates to send back in-progress reports … Chris Porter of Fauntleroy must have been reading our minds, as his story and photos just landed in the WSB inbox even without us having asked. (Haven’t seen any evidence of West Seattle Republicans in Minnesota – but if you know of one, have ’em give us a shout.) Here’s what he has to say, and show:

By Chris Porter

Hello, West Seattle:

I have just returned from a week in the state of Colorado. I attended the Stonewall Democratic National Convention in Denver first. This convention primed me to remember some key issues to discuss with the media and leaders. It gave me the best training I have ever had in addressing issues and concerns in a political forum.

I arrived at the convention Monday 8/25 and was shocked at the number of reporters from around the world. My outfit was subdued the first day, but Michelle Obama took the stage and reminded us why we all where there and why we have to get Barack Obama into the White House.

The floor of the convention was heavily laced with delegates, Super-delegates, party leaders, celebrities and reporters. Every turn resulted in running into someone to talk to and a new person to meet. I cannot forget Al Gore‘s message of standing up and fighting for what is needed and what is right – a lesson she says was learned the hard way.

Day two, Dennis Kucinich brought down the house asking us all to wake up. It was a speech that further challenged me to be bolder about party support and message.

Senator Clinton came to the podium and began the mending process as she is only able to do. Tears were flowing and Clinton supporters were so proud and I felt as if she was speaking directly to me. I had been asked by a reporter what I thought she might say and I said that she will make it clear what the party has to do to elect a democrat and she did. Her words eloquent, her message clear and powerful, and her purpose strong – to elect Barack Obama.

This day also showcased the many female leaders at the national level. It was a reminder to me that the diversity was greater than I thought, the stories and messages that these brave and talented women had to tell – I will remember and learn from for the rest of my life.

Day three began with the nervousness of the roll-call vote. This process would allow each and every delegate to vote for the candidate of their choice regardless if they were an Obama- or Clinton-assigned delegate. The roll call vote was processing and tension was high in the convention center. As each state official stood and gave the number of delegates for each candidate, the tension was thick and palpable. The state of California passed on its roll call. This allowed the states of New Mexico and Illinois to defer to the state of New York. This move gave New York 285 delegates. Senator Clinton came to the floor of the convention and awarded all delegates to Senator Obama. Further she asked that the rules of the convention be suspended and put a motion on the floor that Senator Obama be the Democratic nominee by acclamation. By majority voice vote, he became the nominee of the Democratic party.

The singing, dancing and crying from everyone seemed unreal and we knew the party was further united. After the singing and dancing was over, Senator Biden took to the podium that evening and accepted the nomination as the vice-president. He reminded the party that it is okay to fight and yell for what you want – all inspiring and unforgettable.

Day four had only one focus – what will be the message of Barack Obama. Many party officials and leaders of the Civil Rights era spoke, all leading to the high moment of the night. When Barack Obama took to the stage, I thought the cheering would crack the stadium. People were hugging and crying, yelling and dancing. Speaking of which, the Washington state delegation had its own party, dancing until our feet were sore – leading up to Senator Obama’s speech.

To say that his speech was good underplays the message; to say that his message was strong understates what he had to say, but being in that stadium and hearing his speech filled me with pride and joy that I will never forget. I have often heard people talk about being a part of history that will go down in the books and I was often envious because I never that something like that would happen to me. But after that night, I am forever sold on the belief that there is that one moment to do something big or be a part of something big and I am so glad that I was there and grabbed it.

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Along with Chris Porter, West Seattleites at the DNC included Kimber McCreery and Mayor Greg Nickels.