Hello from Denver: Corey Ellis at the Democratic National Convention. Photo: Chet Hardin

Things to Do in Denver When You’re a Delegate

Locals make their mark on the Democratic National Convention

‘I think there is going to be a return to the grass roots campaigning we saw during the primary,” said Albany Common Councilman (Ward 3) and Obama delegate Corey Ellis. Ellis, just days away from attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver, told Metroland that he planed to use the opportunity to network with delegates and Obama campaign heads from battleground states like Pennsylvania and Ohio. Ellis has been heavily involved in running Albany for Obama. Headquartered on Lexington Avenue, Albany for Obama sent local volunteers to Ohio and Pennsylvania during the Democratic primary, and the organization wants to make sure that local Democrats will be able to spend weeks leading up to the election on the ground, knocking on doors and phone banking.

Ellis said he felt there was a brief lapse in the grassroots approach to the Obama campaign after the primary, when there was a “unification” between the Clinton and Obama camps, but that things will be back on track after the convention.

“People are ready to support him a huge way,” said Ellis. “It took a while for Clinton and Obama supporters and staff to really work that stuff out after the primary. But I think it got worked out before the convention. So now we can move forward to organizing.”

However, fears about party unity have so far dominated the reporting about the Democratic convention. And if they are any indication, Democrats—especially those in Senator Hillary Clinton’s home state of New York—have work to do to unify the party.

Critics have said that the Clinton family’s roles in the convention overshadow the man who actually won the primary. And, as of publication, rumors still abound that the Clinton and Obama camps are struggling to come to terms on a symbolic roll call vote for Clinton. While local Albany council people like Ellis and Carolyn McLaughlin (Ward 2) are representing the area as Obama delegates, other area prominent party members, such as Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings, Charles Diamond, and Albany County Executive Michael Breslin, are Clinton delegates. Breslin has publicly stated that he is actively supporting Obama.

On Monday, Albany County Legislator Wanda Willingham found herself pepper sprayed as police in riot gear tried to stop protestors from entering the Sheraton Hotel in Denver. Willingham is a guest of the New York Delegation. Protestors have complained of their rough treatment by authorities in Denver.

Meanwhile, New York Governor David Paterson addressed the convention on Tuesday night. Paterson passionately supported Obama saying, “If John McCain is the answer, the question must be ridiculous.” Senator Hillary Clinton capped Tuesday night with a rousing, possibly career-defining speech that called for unity and urged her die-hard supporters to ask themselves if they were truly “in it” for her, or for the people in America who need help and the issues the Democratic party supports.

Ellis said that he hopes to bring back the connections and lessons he learns from the convention and share them with local Obama supporters, and with the community that he feels the Albany for Obama office has already greatly affected.

Ellis recently told a crowd of Obama supporters, “Give us your old, your tired, your retired, your unemployed.” Ellis intends to send as many locals as possible campaigning door to door for Obama in the coming months. And he says there are already an impressive number of people waiting to do so.

According to Ellis, the local Obama office has been a center for Obama supporters throughout the state. The Albany office remained open during the primary, when even New York City did not have a proper Obama office. But what Ellis said he is most proud of is the way the Lexington Avenue office has inspired local community members.

Ellis said he has received thanks from Lexington Avenue business owners who feel the office brings credibility and importance to a neglected area of Albany. Meanwhile, Ellis said young men in the neighborhood periodically stop by asking Ellis, “You got any flyers for us to hand out?” To Ellis, that is a strong indication that the Obama campaign is bringing “Hope” back to a once hopeless neighborhood.

—David King

dking@metroland.net

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