PHILADELPHIA – Members of the Georgia delegation stumbled into their hotel ballroom for breakfast this morning, more than slightly sleep deprived by the previous night's events, some transportation snafus that kept them up later – and maybe even a little partying.
For the second day in a row, they were lectured with state Rep. Calvin Smyre’s advice for surviving a Democratic National Convention:
"The only thing that can burn all day and burn all night is a light bulb. And sometimes even they blow out."
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Last night's speech by first lady Michelle Obama provided much of the table talk. Her endorsement of Hillary Clinton, coupled with a mom's worry over what Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump represents, was being talked of as the watershed moment that pushed the convention past its "Bernie or bust" hump.
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Much of the morning media has focused on Bernie Sanders' visits to rebellious state delegations this morning – we're looking at you, California – to persuade his supporters to stand down this evening. There's also talk that he might be asked to nominate Clinton this evening.
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At the breakfast, Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry, a Bernie Sanders supporter who tried to help stifle the booing that marked much of the early part of Monday's session, said he thinks that much of that energy has been spent now.
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However, we were picking up reports that some Bernie Sanders supporters would boycott tonight's session – an issue that arose as part of the Georgia delegation's business of the morning.
This evening will feature the roll call vote that officially makes Hillary Clinton the first woman nominated for president by a major political party. State party chair DuBose Porter pushed delegates to register their votes today (signatures required) in order to get a proper tally for tonight. “Several from the Bernie side are missing,” Porter said.
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U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Atlanta, will announce Georgia's votes in the roll call tonight. He'll be on the podium as well.
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Which reminds us. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed was prominent in the Georgia arena seats last night. He told us he'll have a speaking role on Thursday, and so will help Hillary Clinton close down the show.
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This morning, the featured speaker of the morning was Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, who co-chaired the DNC platform committee with former Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin.
Malloy was also convenient. The Connecticut delegation is staying in the same hotel with the Georgia contingent. The Connecticut governor pointed to the very conservative platform passed by the Republican National Convention in Cleveland last week:
"We are the party of change. The Republican party, in your state and mind, is the party of going backwards. There's no better demonstration of that than that mess that took place in Cleveland. There are portions of that that could have been written 200 years ago. Much of that could have been written a hundred years ago."
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Another Georgia speaker on the DNC stage at about 7 p.m. tonight (right after House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi) will be Jason Carter, the former state senator and candidate for governor. Carter will introduce a video message from his grandfather, former President Jimmy Carter.
But the younger Carter also spoke of Donald Trump and the harsh language coming out of the Republican camp:
"And you've got folks on the other side, literally pounding on the podium, saying, 'We don't want you in our country.'
"…It's amazing to me that I can pine for the days of George Bush, in terms of people who at least act like they have some compassion."
Carter also gave a shout-out to campaigners for Jim Barksdale who were present. The Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate is to arrive tonight, and will stay in Philly through Wednesday.
Carter pointed to Republican incumbent Johnny Isakson, who is supporting Donald Trump, though he expresses disagreement with Trump’s language. That isn’t acceptable, Carter said.
“We can’t do that,” said Carter. “We have a real opportunity to take a crack at this Senate race.”
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