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Campbell Brown
The Democratic National Convention
Aired August 28, 2008 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
REP. JOHN LEWIS (D), GEORGIA: Tonight, tonight, we gather here in this magnificent stadium in Denver because we still have a dream. We still have a dream. As a participant in the civil rights movement, I can tell you that the road to victory will not be easy. Some of us were beaten, arrested, taken to jail and some of us were even killed trying to register to vote. But with the nomination of Senator Barack Obama tonight, the men who will lead the Democratic Party in the march toward the White House, we are making a down payment on the field forming of that dream.
We proved that the dream still burn in the hearts of every American, that this dream is still right. It was too necessary. It was too noble to ever die. But I must tell you this night is not a beginning. It is not even the end. It is a continuation of a struggle that began centuries ago. In Lexington, at Concord, in Gettysburg, at (INAUDIBLE), in (INAUDIBLE) Virginia, in Topeka, Kansas, in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and in Selma, Alabama.
Democracy is not a state. It is an act. In a series of actions we must take to be what Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr. called a beloved community. A society based on simple justice that values the dignity and the worth of every human being. Yes, we've come a long way, but we still have a distance to go. We have come a long way, but we must march again.
On November the 4th, we must march in every state, in every city, in every village, in every hamlet. We must march to the ballot box. We must march like we have never marched before to elect the next president of the United States, Senator Barack Obama. We can do it. We must do it. For those of us who stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and who in the years that followed may have lost hope, this movement, this moment, is a testament to the power and the vision of Martin Luther King Jr.
It was a testament to (INAUDIBLE) people to make a difference in our society. It is a testament to the promise of America. So tonight, we are here to put together a tribute to the man and his message. Let us take moment to reflect on the dream and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on this the 45th anniversary of the march on Washington.
(APPLAUSE)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream. My four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.
(APPLAUSE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have a dream became the mantra for change in America. An even stronger call to action was issued that day in a movement that had already taken the nation by storm.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plain of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protests to degenerate into physical violence.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Rosa Parks' simple act of defiance drew Martin Luther King, Jr. into his life's work.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You see it doesn't take much courage to be violent. It doesn't take much courage or strength to be violent. It is ultimately the strong man who can be nonviolent. It is a courageous man who can be nonviolent.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: King's philosophy inspired by Gandhi (ph) and his Christian faith was the foundation for his leadership.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We shall overcome.
UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: (INAUDIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For the victories won some of us will have to get scarred up a bit. But we shall overcome.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Imprisonments and threats to his family and life sometimes forced him to question the journey.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do not know how long it will be nor what the future holds for me. But this I know, if Jesus leads me, I shall get home someday.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He was a unifying force, bringing people together from all walks of life for a common cause -- equal rights for all.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How long? Not long.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) universe is long, but it bends towards justice. How long? Not long.
UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: Not long.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We as a people will get to the Promised Land.
(APPLAUSE) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So I'm happy tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
(APPLAUSE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Glory, hallelujah...
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Glory, hallelujah.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will be able to be on that day when all of God's children will be able to join hands and say, free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, we are free at last.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Please welcome Reverend Bernice King daughter of (INAUDIBLE) Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
(MUSIC)
REV. BERNICE KING, DAUGHTER OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: Tonight, freedom rings. From the snow capped Rockies of Colorado, freedom rings.
(APPLAUSE)
B. KING: Forty-five years ago today, my father delivered his "I have a Dream" speech. Tonight, we witness in part what has become of his dream. The acceptance by Senator Barack Obama of the presidential Democratic nomination...
(APPLAUSE)
B. KING: Decided not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
B. KING: This is one of our nation's greatest defining moments. Forty-five years later I am proud to introduce another Martin Luther King, the first borne son of our parents, Martin and Coretta King, born into the generation that would realize the dream and who leads the organization realizing the Dream Inc. (ph) through which he addresses pressing issues confronting our nation and world, such as health care, education, values, poverty and war.
He is a human rights activist, a man on the move. Please join me in welcoming the son of the dream and my dear brother, Martin Luther King, III. (APPLAUSE)
(MUSIC)
MARTIN LUTHER KING, III, SON OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: While waiting to come to the podium, I could not help thinking how proud my father would be, proud of Barack Obama, proud of the party that nominated him and proud of the America that will elect him. On this day, exactly 45 years ago, my father stood on the National Mall in the shadow of Abraham Lincoln and proclaimed, "I have a dream" that one day, this nation will live out the true meaning of its creed.
You know, we are all children of the dream. And he is here in all of our hearts and minds. But not only that, he is in the hopes and dreams, the competence and courage, the rightness and readiness of Barack Obama. But my father would be quick to remind us that realizing his dream is not Barack Obama's job alone. America needs more than a great president to realize my father's dream.
What America needs is a great America. Let me paraphrase my father. For the ultimate measure of a nation is not where it stands in times of comfort and convenience, but where it stands in times of challenge and controversy on some questions, cowardice asks is the position safe? (INAUDIBLE) yes. Is the position politic? Vanity asks is the position popular? But that something deep inside called conscience asks is the position right?
Sometimes, he said, we must stand up and take positions that are neither safe nor popular nor politic, but we must take those positions because our consciences tell us they're right. And if we are to be a great democracy, we must all take an active role in our democracy. We must do democracy. Now that goes far beyond simply casting your vote.
We must all actively champion the causes that ensure the common good. For in five short years when we reflect upon the 50th anniversary of the march on Washington, let us look back and celebrate our audacity to redress poverty. Commemorate the hope and faith that led us to take charge of our lives and communities and venerate our dream of life, liberty and happiness through our renewed commitment to prevent unjust wars for never being waged, then let us look forward to the next 50 years as we stand together because our potential as a people is limitless.
Work together because our ability to do good in the world is boundless. And live together because our values of fairness, full justice, opportunity and the majesty of the dream. On this 45th anniversary of the march on Washington, and in honor of the legacies of my father and Bobby Kennedy, let us give our nation a leader who has heard this clariant (ph) call and will help us achieve the change because we still need Barack Obama. Thank you so much, and may God bless you always.
(MUSIC)
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: A beautiful tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on this, the 45th anniversary of his "I Have a Dream Speech" in the nation's capital and on this day that (INAUDIBLE) will accept the Democratic presidential nomination.
We're going to continue our coverage, Campbell, right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to our continuing coverage of this, the last night of the Democratic National Convention. We're here in Invesco Field Mile High Stadium in Denver. Normally, this is a football stadium. The Denver Broncos play here, but they've transformed it and they're bringing 75,000 or 80,000 people. There's Michael Dukakis. He was the Democratic presidential nominee back in 1988, didn't do so well against George Herbert Walker Bush, but he's here. He's having a good time, as are so many of these other Democrats.
Campbell, I think it's fair to say they're all having a great time and they're rocking and rolling with the great music. We're standing by, Campbell, as you know we're going to be hearing from Will.I.Am --
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: That's right...
CAMPBELL BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: And John Legend is going play piano with him, too.
BLITZER: And then later we're going to have Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder and in addition to all the politics and all the political statements (INAUDIBLE) entertainment as well.
BROWN: And as we learned about you last night, your secret, music junkie that you are, you're probably more excited about Sheryl Crow than...
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: Yeah, Sheryl Crow definitely (INAUDIBLE) Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder, Will.I.Am, all of them, love all that kind of music. I know that Donna Brazile has got a few thoughts for us right now. She loves the music, too. She's a rock and roller from way back, but reflect a little bit. We heard John Lewis.
We heard the tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tell us what this means to you, Donna, this coincidence that this is the 45th anniversary of his "I Have a Dream Speech" coming on the day when an African-American leads the Democrat Party in his race for the White House.
DONNA BRAZILE, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, Wolf, you want to know how much progress we've made in this country, just look behind us. The Mississippi Delegation is seated right behind us and 44 years ago a courageous woman Fannie Lou Hamer went to Atlantic City, New Jersey. She demanded to sit at the table.
The Democratic Party at that time was not willing to seek southern delegations that included blacks. Today you look across this great, wonderful, field, and you see so many African-Americans and Hispanics because the Democratic Party is now the home of everyone. This is truly a remarkable moment in history.
BLITZER: It would be truly remarkable election if Barack Obama's campaign and the Democrats manage to follow through and get a lot of those African-Americans and a lot of young people registered. I know you're working hard to try to do that because you know in the past, it hasn't always been all that successful.
BRAZILE: Eight million Americans who are age 18 to 24 the Obama campaign has targeted them. As I said, the Obama campaign will be contacting them tonight and requesting that they go and register to vote. This is truly a historic moment. You mentioned Stevie Wonder.
I have to say something about Stevie because people think of him as an entertainer, but he's also a real human rights activist and I worked with Stevie Wonder back in 1981 and '82 to make Martin Luther King's birthday a holiday. It was one of my first official jobs in Washington, D.C., so it has some personal connotation to it as well.
BLITZER: He's very committed. I saw him when we -- when I (INAUDIBLE) moderated that last Democratic debate at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, he came, and he listened and he was deeply, deeply involved in that debate. I know this evening means a lot to him as well.
Let's go to Jessica Yellin right now. She's behind me on the field. Where I'm sitting, where we are, Jessica, we're about at the end zone if this were a football field right now. Where are you?
JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm in the California Delegation directly behind you, Wolf, and I'm standing here with Ragan Harman (ph), a woman from Oakland, California. And Ragan (ph), you were crying during the tribute to Martin Luther King. What are you thinking and feeling tonight?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was thinking just as an American, especially as an African-American how far we have come with regards to race relations. I mean I came here as a cynic, I really did, and I am leaving as a believer that America has changed. And we can elect an African-American to the president of the United States. I'm not -- just like Hillary Clinton did, I mean there's 18 million cracks through the ceiling. I believe there are 50 million cracks that have gone through the ceiling not just for women, but also for African- Americans and minorities and immigrants. It's very inspirational.
YELLIN: Thank you so much for your time.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're welcome.
YELLIN: We're out here on a very crowded floor, Wolf, with a lot of people who are sharing her sentiments tonight -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jessica, thanks very much, very moving. Let's go to Suzanne Malveaux. She's down on the field as well. When we say field, we literally mean this is a field. Normally it's a football field, but go ahead, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: We're in the Louisiana section and joining me is Roddy McFarland (ph) and he is a pastor. You are somebody who -- this is a dream for you come true. You said that you wanted to be an official delegate. You've worked for years and years to make this happen. What's going on through your heart, through your head when you realize what's happening this evening?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a wonderful moment in my lifetime because racism is still going on in America, especially in Louisiana, as you just know what happened with the Jena 6. This right here is so heart- filling to see an African-American be nominated by a major political party to represent the one -- to be the top leader of this country, Obama.
It makes me feel good. I feel for my grandparents that didn't have a desire to see this. But my God, this is a moment that I will cherish for a lifetime.
MALVEAUX: And you say there's still a lot of work to be done, but you express some optimism.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, there is a lot of work to be done with race relations, yes, very much so.
MALVEAUX: OK. Thank you so much for joining us. We've got to leave it there, Roddy McFarland -- Campbell back to you.
BROWN: All right, Suzanne, thanks, a lot of emotion out there, Wolf, especially on the floor with regard to the history making element to all of this. Apart from all the politics, and I know coming up there's going to be a lot of music. This is also a huge celebration for the Democratic Party; Will.I.Am and Black-eyed Peas is going to be taking the stage shortly. John Legend on piano, with him as well Sheryl Crow, a little bit later tonight Stevie Wonder as well, so stay with us; a lot more coverage from Invesco Field when we come back right after this.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Let's go right down to the field. Candy Crowley is here with a very, very special guest -- Candy.
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Wolf. Martin Luther King, III, thank you so much for joining us. You just got finished with a tribute to your father, I have to tell you when Barack Obama went over the top last night and then this day coming right after it. There were two people that I thought of and I thought I wonder what is going through their mind. One of them was you, and one of them was John Lewis. You were old enough to know what your father was fighting for when he was murdered, so in this moment I just have to know what's going through your mind about him and about yourself. M. KING: Well, this is an incredible moment and a monumental moment in our nation's history for all Americans. Last night when the acclamation occurred and tonight as we are anticipating this incredible speech of Senator Obama, I'm sure my mother and father are smiling down, are looking down smiling. But I know that my dad would say it's important for Americans to continue to be engaged if we expect Senator Obama exclusively to change our nation, we've got to be a part of that process and help. And that's what he would encourage so that his dream can ultimately be realized, which is certainly freedom, justice and equality for all human kind.
CROWLEY: You talked about the mountain top a lot. You know that you could see the mountain top. Where are we in that journey?
M. KING: Well I think we are a ways headed up the mountain. I think we -- our progress has been stagnant, certainly over the last seven and a half years and because we have been preoccupied with war. And so when we're preoccupied with war, we can't focus on issues of uplift. We can't really focus domestically.
And so the next president, and I hope it's going to be Senator Barack Obama, feel very good about it, but the next president is going to have the challenges of helping our economy grow, the challenges of putting Americans back to work, ensuring that we have health care for everyone, justice and my dad, perhaps, had he lived, I would say -- and say Bobby Kennedy, particularly in 1968, we may be closer to that journey than we are this moment. It does not mean we haven't made progress though.
CROWLEY: Thank you so much, Martin Luther King, III. It's a big day...
(AUDIO GAP)
CROWLEY: ... level as well as a personal level. We really appreciate your time.
M. KING III: Thank you for the opportunity.
CROWLEY: Absolutely -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Candy, thank you very much. And thank Martin Luther King III as well for us. We're only a few seconds away from one of the highlights of this entertainment portion of this Democratic National Convention, a performance by Will.I.Am with John Legend on the keyboard, on piano and people are getting excited, Campbell, because there's going to be lots of good entertainment tonight before the political speeches, Al Gore, and then of course Barack Obama. But it's not every day that people here in this stadium and then across the nation or even around the world will be able to listen to these kinds of entertainment. Stevie Wonder, he's going to be live here later but this is not necessarily live.
BROWN: Well, we talked about that. That's such a huge part of this is the pep rally aspect of it, trying to get the 70,000 plus people in the stadium motivated beyond tonight so that they get out there, that they start registering voters, that they're campaigning for Barack Obama that this isn't just about this one. It's about what these people are going to do in the coming months. It's a huge, motivating party intended to do that. Right, John?
JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You make a key point, Campbell because for months, we've been looking at the polls and saying there's an enthusiasm gap. Democrats say they're excited about this election, they're eager about this election and even Republicans, a good chunk who say they will support John McCain are not enthusiastic about their choice.
Well, we talk about the polls all the time. You see the faces in the crowd here. This is the enthusiasm gap in this stadium tonight and they're young and old. They're black and white. These are mostly people from the mountain west, once you get past the delegates who are here for the convention.
But Barack Obama is literally changing the face of American politics by accepting the nomination tonight and he's trying to change the map of American politics and that is his key challenge once he leaves Denver. Can he win in places like Colorado and Montana? Well, this is how he's trying to do it, mixing a speech for the American people with the unique use of technology. They're text messaging people at home saying make sure you watch tonight. The people here are being asked to text. That's not just to say hello and use your gizmo. That's so they can build the database to turn them out on Election Day and raise money between now and Election Day.
BLITZER: Hold on a second. Our viewers have just spotted a football in John King's hand.
KING: Somebody told me there's a big game here tonight.
BLITZER: There is not necessarily that kind of game.
KING: Put me in, coach.
BLITZER: You're not ready.
KING: Not ready?
BLITZER: Listen to this guys. This is a highlight. Let's listen to Will.I.Iam and John Legend at piano. This is going to be exciting.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome recording artist and producer Will.I.Am, John Legend, and the Agape International Choir.
(MUSIC)
BLITZER: All right, there he is Will.I.Am, and John Legend a performance making it clear where their politics lies in this contest right now. Let's take a quick break. When we come back, more entertainment before more of the political speeches, including Al Gore standing by for his speech and Barack Obama, his acceptance speech on this historic night. Sheryl Crow coming up live here at the Democratic National Convention.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to the Democratic National Convention at Invesco Field here in Mile High Stadium in Denver. Momentarily, Sheryl Crow will perform before the 75 or 80,000 people who are about to get in. Most of them are already in but they're still not all inside. Security obviously very, very tight.
We're here with Campbell Brown.
Campbell, Will.I.Am, John Legend, pretty good. Sheryl Crow, about to be pretty good I'm sure. And then later Stevie Wonder. It's not just political speeches. It's a little entertainment to keep these fans excited.
BROWN: It feels like a Super Bowl or I mean it feels like a rock concert honestly but you're talking about the lines getting in. We got an e-mail a short time ago from one of our reporters who had been out there waiting in the security line, and he said it was at least a mile long, the line that they were in. Hard to tell but some police were suggesting that some of the other lines were as long as six miles? Winding and hard to judge.
BLITZER: You really have to be a committed supporter of Barack Obama to wait that long to get into this stadium.
BROWN: A lot of security, obviously.
BLITZER: All right, Sheryl Crow is getting ready to perform here. They're just warming up the band. You know who's really getting ready, our man Roland.
Roland, are you getting into this?
ROLAND MARTIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: They're from Chicago. When the Elements play, you can't help but move.
BLITZER: You like this kind of music, don't you?
MARTIN: The fever in the funk house.
BLITZER: I like it too.
MARTIN: Come on, come on, Wolf. That ain't it, you showed us. Come on Wolf.
BLITZER: I want David to be moving.
MARTIN: Give yourself a clap.
DAVID BRODY: I want to say something real quick. We talked about the enthusiasm tonight but really the story of this campaign from the Obama campaign is the organizational strength. They have done this from day one. We just saw with all of the text messaging going on in this campaign. That, if you think about it, is what beat Hillary Clinton in the end. They had it from day one and that is very important.
Also real quick, on the patriotism angle tonight, as I looked through that speech tonight, lots of references to America, very few references to the world. I think that's very important tonight. There's not just a bar, there's a patriotism bar tonight, and that needs to come through loud and clear tonight.
MARTIN: The reality is this is 21st century grass roots. That's what this is.
BLITZER: We're getting ready for Sheryl Crow. They're getting the set ready. Let's take a quick break. When we come back, Sheryl Crow live in Denver.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: All right. Sheryl Crow performing here at the convention.
(MUSIC)
