DNC 2012: The Convention Begins

Tennessee delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. wrapped up their Labor Day festivities on Monday with an eye toward today’s official opening.

On tap for the convention’s first day is First Lady Michelle Obama who is tonight’s most notable speaker. She’ll be joined by San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, who is delivering the keynote address.

Tennessee delegates start out the day at a breakfast featuring actress and delegate Ashley Judd along with Nancy-Ann DeParle, a Tennessee native who served in Gov. Ned McWherter’s administration.

During the day delegates will have the opportunity to attend a variety of caucus meetings, including: women, the rural council, veterans and military families, small business owners, LGBT and the seniors’ council.

Yesterday’s breakfast will be hard to top. We had a surprise visit from Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, a rising star in the national Democratic Party. He focused his rousing remarks on the importance of reelecting Pres. Obama and continuing to move our country forward–not backward.

We also heard from former Congressman Lincoln Davis, who talked about how to tea party policies are bad for Tennesseans. House Caucus Chairman Mike Turner explained the importance of state legislative races.

Will Crossley, a voter protection expert from the DNC, also spoke to the group. He talked about how voter ID laws are suppressing traditionally Democratic voters in Tennessee and across the country.