Recap of Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention

We're halfway home in Denver, and two days away from Barack Obama's big coronation at INVESCO Field at Mile High.


Pepsi Center decked out for the occasion


The lines to get in are growing each day

A play on the famous "Love" sign in Philadelphia

Once again, there wasn’t much sizzle at Pepsi Center until the night’s closing act. For the hour or so before New York Sen. Hillary Clinton appeared, there was a building intensity. The crowd of conventioneers erupted when she strode to the stage, giving her a prolonged standing ovation (more than 3 minutes) that she milked for all it was worth. She knows how to work a crowd, and she delivered a message of Democratic unity while ripping President George W. Bush and Arizona Sen. John McCain. The press gallery was atwitter as she spoke.

No, I wasn't this close. It's off a TV

Although, to be fair, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer did a good job warming up the crowd with chants like: "Can we afford four more years?" A:"No!"; "When do we want change?" A:"Now!"; as well as his rhetoric slamming the Bush administration on energy. The crowd was whipped into a frenzy when Clinton took the stage.

The press gallery was more excited to catch a glimpse of former President Bill Clinton, though.

Unlike the first night, which was comparatively flat and poorly attended, the second night of DNC 08 was packed to the gills. In fact, it was standing room only, and many speeches included attacks on Republicans ("Big Oil, bad economy, no hope with the current administration, status quo with McCain, etc.").
A packed house

The stage is huge (another TV shot)

Those who couldn't get arena seats settled for watching on TVs in the concourse

Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey Jr., son of legendary Pennsylvania Gov. Bob Casey and a Catholic pro-life Democrat, talked about presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama’s ability to inspire people around the nation and accused President George W. Bush of being in the pocket of oil companies.

He also touched on abortion and Obama.

"Barack Obama and I have an honest disagreement on the issue of abortion. But the fact that I’m speaking here tonight is testament to Barack’s ability to show respect for the views of people who may disagree with him," said Casey.

Still no word on Nancy Pelosi’s remarks or the U.S. bishops’ rebuke.

The funniest thing I heard all day was a comment from a delegate as Ohio Congressman and former presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich came to the podium.

Channeling the diminutive politician, the delegate said: “I would have been here earlier, but I forgot the keys to my UFO.”


All photos by Jim Myers/The Colorado Catholic Herald