It’s Official Now!
Keith Scarborough
Aug 28, 2008

It’s official now!  Yesterday afternoon I had the honor to vote to nominate Barack Obama and Joe Biden.  While it was a formality, it was a remarkable opportunity for this political junkie—I felt a little like a 55-year old kid in a toy store.  I got to the floor early to get an aisle seat in the first row of the Virginia delegation.  It was great the way the state roll call voting was orchestrated, giving Hillary Clinton the opportunity to call for the nomination of Barack Obama by acclamation.  The only disappointment was that it shut off the ability of Governor Kaine to proudly announce the vote from Virginia.

While Hillary Clinton gave a great speech Tuesday night, there was no comparison to the excitement on the convention floor when Bill Clinton took the stage.  He seriously rocked the house!  Joe Biden gave a moving speech which demonstrated the compassion and experience he has.  And when Barack Obama joined him on the stage, the place went wild!  On the front page of today’s New York Times, above the fold, is a great picture of Jane Van Ostern, a friend and fellow Obama delegate from Richmond. 

The Virginia delegation had a lunch yesterday with Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, the second African American elected Governor in the country.  He was introduced by former Virginia Governor Doug Wilder, who was the first.  Governor Wilder gave a very moving speech about his campaign and how he addressed the issue of whether Virginia was “ready” to elect an African American Governor in 1989.  We were and we did.  In some ways, Barack          
Obama faces the same challenge this fall.  I was very proud when Virginia elected Doug Wilder in 1989 and I feel confident that we can carry Virginia and Prince William County for Barack Obama.

Tonight is the big event with Obama’s acceptance speech at Invesco Field.  Governor Kaine will be speaking as well.  The Virginia delegation will be up front on the field and back at home, there will be two TV watch parties in the county to celebrate this historic event.  I have been actively involved in politics for more than 30 years and I have never seen the excitement and passion that has been generated by Barack Obama.  We are truly fired up and ready to go!