TERRE HAUTE — The Democratic National Convention has been everything Lynn Hamilton expected, and much more.
“You can’t believe the energy in [the Pepsi convention center] when you are there,” said the Sullivan County Democratic Party chairwoman, who also was a pledged Hillary Clinton delegate. “You can’t help but get caught up into the moment. It’s been wonderful.”
She spoke in a telephone interview Wednesday as she returned to the convention center, where she would later hear speeches by Sen. Evan Bayh, Sen. Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton.
The culminating event occurred when delegates formally delivered the party’s presidential nomination to Barack Obama, making him the first Black nominee of a major party.
Indiana delegates have good seats that are close to the stage at the Pepsi Center, Hamilton said.
On Monday night, she said she was touched by Sen. Ted Kennedy’s comments as he spoke of passing the torch to a new generation of Americans in November.
On Tuesday, Hamilton was inspired by the words of Hillary Clinton, who urged her supporters to show party unity and cast their votes as delegates to Obama.
“The whole thing has just been amazing for me. If you’re a political junkie like I am, it’s where you want to be,” said Hamilton, 59.
It’s Hamilton first opportunity to attend a national party convention, and there have been some unexpected surprises.
On Tuesday night, movie director Spike Lee sat down beside her during the convention. Television cameras converged on him, and Indiana delegates shook his hand and had photos taken with him.
“I took the pictures,” Hamilton said.
Lee wore a basketball T-shirt in which Obama was slam-dunking a basketball with John McCain’s picture into a net.
Tuesday morning, Hamilton and other Indiana delegates had breakfast with Sen. Evan Bayh, who had hoped to become Obama’s choice for vice president.
“He gave a wonderful speech” to the Indiana delegates, Hamilton said. Bayh said he was disappointed not to be chosen, but everything happens for a purpose, he told them.
According to Hamilton, he told delegates that “God makes a path for you,” and some day, maybe he will have that opportunity to serve in a higher office.
Hamilton, paraphrasing Bayh’s comments, said that Biden had called Bayh and told him, “Evan, you still have a few years ahead of you, but my time is running out.”
For now, he’s proud to be a U.S. senator from Indiana, he told Hamilton and other Hoosier delegates.
Bionca Gambill, Linton Township trustee and an Obama delegate, described Monday evening’s speeches as moving and emotional.
“It was emotional because there is so much at stake here,” she said. Obama and McCain differ greatly on important policy issues.
Gambill said it was especially moving to hear Sen. Ted Kennedy, who is undergoing treatment for a malignant brain tumor. “He said would be there [at the nation’s capital] in January to see Barack Obama take office,” Gambill said.
Reacting to Hillary Clinton’s Tuesday night speech, Gambill said, “I thought she did an outstanding job” in showing strong support for Obama and in urging her delegates to do the same.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
Watch History
• Tonight, when Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination, Hoosiers will gather at more than 180 convention watch parties across the state to watch the historic moment.
• Campaign for Change supporters will be hosting a watch party beginning at 9 p.m. at the Terre Haute Obama headquarters at 509 Wabash Ave.
• Obama’s acceptance speech, expected to start about 10 p.m., will be projected on the outside of the building. Popcorn and lemonade will be served.
Local & Bistate
Valley residents have great seats to watch history
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Packing the hall
If you didn’t come early, the seats were hard to find.
-
Alternative-fuel project has Rose, ISU students all charged up
The future of Earth’s auto industry is intertwined with the career prospects of local university students, and a world-class team shined with green energy Sunday.
-
Montford Point Marine
In 1943, 19-year-old Ezell Odom was on the sandy beach of a tiny South Pacific island about 7,000 miles from his parent’s home in Terre Haute.
-
K-9 officer Shadow honored as a hero
A Terre Haute K-9 officer injured in the line of duty has been honored as a hero by the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.
-
Freezin’ for a Reason
Hundreds lined up outside Hulman Center amid frigid air to participate in a warm-hearted cause.
-
Even as law, right-to-work dominates crackerbarrel
The flames of the right-to-work debate were gone, but the coals still seemed to smolder.
-
Vigo School Board to give OK on bonds for DeVaney project
The Vigo County School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the administration building, 686 Wabash Ave.
-
Bridging the gap to ‘forever’
They can be taken from their homes by strangers for reasons they may not understand, with no possessions other than the clothes they are wearing.
-
Students showcase keen problem-solving skills at Rose-Hulman
For the 16th straight year, Honey Creek Middle School students came out on top in the Wabash Valley MATHCOUNTS competition at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
-
Ivy Tech to celebrate Black History Month
Ivy Tech Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events at its campuses statewide.
-
Whitney Houston, superstar of records, films, dies
Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.
-
Giant welcome home for Steve
Terre Haute was suddenly home to thousands of cheering New York Giants fans Friday as residents welcomed Super Bowl champion Steve Weatherford back home for a parade.
-
‘One for Terre Haute,’ Steve tells crowd at North
“This one was for Terre Haute,” native son Steve Weatherford proclaimed Friday as he shared his Super Bowl victory with the community that helped send him on the path to a world championship.
-
Hometown support vital to success, Weatherford says
Steve Weatherford said Friday he wouldn’t be celebrating a Giants’ Super Bowl victory if not for the support he’s received from his hometown, his parents and mentors in his life.
-
Craning for a rare glimpse
A visitor from the Far East has naturalists flying to Linton, hoping some good comes from one bird’s bad directions.
-
Vigo’s primary election filings complete
The slate is set for the May 8 primary election, with the race for three at-large seats on the Vigo County Council drawing the largest pool of candidates at the county level.
-
Documentary on electric vehicles plays Sunday at Rose
The rising popularity of electric vehicles and their impact on the world eco-system is the focus of a documentary, “Revenge of the Electric Car,” being presented at 3 p.m. Sunday in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Hatfield Hall Theater.
-
Man gets 10-year sentence in battery case
A West Terre Haute man received a 10-year prison sentence Friday after pleading guilty to aggravated battery for beating a friend caught in bed with the man’s wife.
-
Asian hooded crane lands in Greene County wildlife area
Bird watchers are flocking to a southwestern Indiana wildlife area to try to catch a glimpse of a crane usually spotted only in Asia.
-
Slow drips: It’s maple syrup season in Indiana
More seasonal, colder temperatures will hit the Wabash Valley this weekend, which is ideal weather for maple syrup production, said Keith Ruble, superintendent of the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department.
However, Ruble voices concern that this year’s maple syrup season may be short.
-
Downtown restaurant celebrates expansion
The streets of Terre Haute were chilly Thursday night, but for the glow of hot pasta inside Louise’s Pizzeria and Cafe.
-
Contract signed for new Y
Papers are signed and the ink is in place for a new YMCA to operate in Terre Haute.
-
City to impose $30 release fee on towed vehicles
The Terre Haute City Council voted without opposition Thursday to impose a new $30 release fee on vehicles towed and impounded by the police as part of a criminal investigation.
-
Valley educators cautious on Indiana’s ‘No Child’ waiver
Indiana is one of 10 states to receive a waiver from federal No Child Left Behind requirements.
-
Driver dies after Illinois school bus crash
“Brace yourself. Brace yourself,” Fay Pickering shouted to her students just before the school bus she was driving crossed U.S. 40 and landed in a ditch Thursday morning.
-
Trial date set for former WTH police chief
A July 23 trial date has been set for a former police chief of West Terre Haute accused of theft.
-
Motorcycle gang member pleads guilty in federal court
A member of an Indianapolis motorcycle gang who delivered methamphetamine to a Terre Haute dealer has pleaded guilty to drug charges in federal court.
-
July trial date set for mother charged with child neglect
A July 30 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute mother charged with neglecting and battering her toddler.
-
Business hosting SPPRAK fundraiser
Java Haute is hosting the latest fundraiser sponsored by SPPRAK — Special People Performing Random Acts of Kindness.
-
Valley high school cooking competition under way today
Clabber Girl Corp. and Gordon Food Services will host the fourth-annual High School Chef Competition, beginning today through Saturday, and again Feb. 18, in the Culinary Classroom at Clabber Girl.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death
Snow Strands Italian Towns
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Video of M.I.A's Obscene Halftime Gesture
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Today in History for Tuesday, February 12th
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Stocks Fall Sharply As Greek Deal Is Held Up
Adele's revealing "60 Minutes" interview
Exclusive Video: Bobbi Kristina Leaving Hospital
Lusetich: AT&T Recap
Raw Video: Aurora Borealis As Seen From Space
2012 Grammys: Rihanna
2.12: Pebble Beach Pro-Am -- Phil Mickelson
2012 Grammys: Taylor Swift
Exclusive Video - Whitney's Bodybag
FUEL TV: Punk Payback Gym tips
Whitney's Final Days - EXCLUSIVE
Romney Tops Santorum in CPAC Straw Poll
First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter
Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop
Peek inside Barbie's closet
Absolute Lin-sanity
Madonna's Daughter Shaves Head
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
