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Daily Archives: Aug. 28, 2008
Kansas delegate gets roughed up at convention meeting
Aug. 28, 20086:28 p.m.
DENVER — One Kansas delegate to the Democratic National Convention learned the hard way that politics can be a rough business.
Elizabeth Bustamante of Garden City got roughed up by four women who objected to her efforts to get back into a caucus meeting at the Colorado Convention Center.
Bustamante was inside when she popped a zipper and had to go out to repair the damage.
When she tried to get back in, four women waiting for seats boxed her in, jostled her and one elbowed her in the ribs, causing her to hyperventilate.
“The paramedics had to come in and take me outside,” she said. It was “the worst moment of the whole convention” for Bustamante.
“I couldn’t believe people could be that mean and cruel over just a space,” she said.
Betts to introduce Obama family member at watch party tonight
Aug. 28, 20083:57 p.m.
There may be a little bit of Obama in Wichita tonight — and we’re not just talking about a televised speech from Denver. State Sen. Donald Betts, who’s in race against Congressman Todd Tiahrt, plans to introduce a member of Sen. Barack Obama’s family at an Obama speech watch party at Torre’s Pizzeria (131 N. Rock Island in Old Town) around 7:30 p.m. tonight, Betts’ campaign manager, Lisa Reiss, said this afternoon.
Reiss wouldn’t say who. But Obama’s El Dorado rally earlier this year gives a possible hint. Margaret McCurry Wolf is the first cousin of Obama’s grandmother. And Obama’s grandfather is Stanley Dunham, was raised in El Dorado, and his grandmother, Madelyn Payne, grew up in Augusta. Obama never lived in Kansas. For more, check out The Eagle’s previous coverage… Read More
Moore: Second Bush ‘a different story’
Aug. 28, 20081:06 p.m.
DENVER — One Bush doesn’t equal another, U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore told Kansas delegates to the Democratic National Convention here.
At the daily delegation breakfast, Moore said he felt that President George H. W. Bush, although he was from the other party and had different ideas, had been an honorable opponent and thoughtful leader of the country.
“The first President Bush, I didn’t agree with him on everything, (but) he was a real president, you know what I mean,” Moore said. “This son is a different story.”
Read More
Take a lesson from a movie, Glickman says
Aug. 28, 200812:56 p.m.
DENVER — “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” is Dan Glickman’s favorite political film.
Glickman views that from a unique perspective. He also went to Washington, as a U.S. representative from Wichita in the 1970s and 1980s, and as agriculture secretary during the Clinton Administration. He’s now the chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America.
In a speech to members of the Kansas delegation to the Democratic National Convention, he said the country needs to return to the kind of idealism depicted in the classic Jimmy Stewart film.
In the movie, the young Stewart plays a honest but naive freshman senator who battles political corruption at the Capitol.
“Go back and see it again,” Glickman said.
“What we have to do is to try to restore the confidence of the American people that the system is on the level.”
Local Obama watch parties
Aug. 28, 200811:59 a.m.
If you want to watch Barack Obama’s acceptance speech with local supporters tonight, check out one of these events — or find more at Obama’s web site.
Among the Wichita events:
–“One Giant Step,” about 6-10 p.m., Torre’s Pizza, 131 N. Rock Island.
–Northeast community watch party, 8 p.m., All Occasions Events Center, 4940 E. 21st St. No., sponsored by the Kansas Black Leadership Council. Preceded by a young adults watch party at 6 p.m.
In Denver, party official is unofficial ambassador
Aug. 28, 20086:00 a.m.
Throughout the Democratic National Convention, Jason Dilts has been sort of Sedgwick County’s delegate-without-portfolio.
Dilts, executive director of the county Democratic Party, came to Denver with no credentials and no formal standing at the convention.
But that hasn’t stopped him from participating in it.
On Tuesday, someone lent him a pass so he could be on the floor when Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Sen Hillary Clinton made their speeches. Dilts is a big fan of both. Read More
Huckabee releases Kansas delegates, ensuring unity for McCain
Aug. 28, 20081:00 a.m.
You may have noticed that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton released her delegates to pitch their votes for Sen. Barack Obama. Well, the same is true in Kansas — only in this case for the many delegates who would otherwise be obligated by state party rules to vote for Kansas caucus winner former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Read More