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Diary of a delegate: Notable speeches, Bernie support

By Bill Dower, an Oklahoma Democratic delegate
Published: Wed, July 27, 2016 12:05 PM Updated: Wed, July 27, 2016 12:23 PM

Democratic National Convention Diary: Monday

On the first night of the convention, there were many amazing speakers and interesting events.  We heard great speeches from U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, First Lady Michelle Obama and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.  There were also many protests, which some may find unappealing, but this is a democracy.  

People speaking publicly about the issues can create change.  

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker speaking at the convention. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker speaking at the convention. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Cory Booker was amazing and extremely uplifting. He talked about coming together, and how we will rise together.  I couldn't agree more.

Michelle Obama also took the stage to talk about her family. She said that she wouldn't want her family living under any other presidency than Hillary Clinton's.

Michelle Obama's speech. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Michelle Obama's speech. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Elizabeth Warren was another speaker at the convention on Monday night. Oklahoma has to be proud.  She is a Massachusetts senator, but she grew up in Oklahoma City. Her father died when she was 12, and she started waiting tables a year later at her aunt's diner.  There's no doubt that she understands how the current economy is not working for Americans, and she addressed those issues in her speech.  

Elizabeth Warren speaking at the convention. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Elizabeth Warren speaking at the convention. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Bernie Sanders took the stage and spoke to his supporters, including myself.  He mentioned his good friend Elizabeth Warren before his speech. We listened to him talk about the minimum wage that needs to be raised to $15 per hour, the need for single-payer healthcare, and the crushing student debt many young people face. 

And to move these progressive issues forward, he said we need a Hillary Clinton presidency.  He said that this movement was never about him. It was to transform American society.  Many Sanders delegates were disheartened to hear him come this far without the nomination, but his revolution doesn't end at this convention.

I'm proud to have voted for Bernie Sanders.

Senator Bernie Sanders speaking. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Senator Bernie Sanders speaking. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

- Delegate Bill Dower

Bill Dower, 34, of Norman, is a first-time Oklahoma delegate, and will be blogging throughout the Democratic National Convention. Check back with NewsOK.com for more posts.

Related Photos
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker speaking at the convention. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker speaking at the convention. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Michelle Obama's speech. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Elizabeth Warren speaking at the convention. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Senator Bernie Sanders speaking. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
<figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-95e0da041afa3305c22b4ffa8052e7db.jpg" alt="Photo - U.S. Sen. Cory Booker speaking at the convention. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia." title="U.S. Sen. Cory Booker speaking at the convention. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia."><figcaption>U.S. Sen. Cory Booker speaking at the convention. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-1b4a6f7e404859a8f4f626922045c7fd.jpg" alt="Photo - Michelle Obama's speech. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia." title="Michelle Obama's speech. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia."><figcaption>Michelle Obama's speech. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-1da21eceabda90503520542e73e82c3d.jpg" alt="Photo - Elizabeth Warren speaking at the convention. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia." title="Elizabeth Warren speaking at the convention. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia."><figcaption>Elizabeth Warren speaking at the convention. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-ea8d952bd32702c688427c934787c243.jpg" alt="Photo - Senator Bernie Sanders speaking. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia." title="Senator Bernie Sanders speaking. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia."><figcaption>Senator Bernie Sanders speaking. -- Photo via Bill Dower, an Oklahoma delegate attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.</figcaption></figure>
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