Ward 6 Dems Martin and Susan Heyman (in the picture to the right) recently attended the Democratic National Convention as delegates. It was a whirlwind of activity, and a great convention that stood in stark contrast to the Republican gathering in Florida earlier in the summer. It was an evening about progress, and about improving our nation for all Americans. Read their summary below, and let us know your thoughts!

By Martin and Susan Heyman:

Just recovered from an amazing week as delegates to the democratic national convention. Hectic. Exhausting, and most of all inspiring. Non stop; from breakfast meetings every day at 8 am with politicos, issues caucuses all day, official convention program til 11pm, (except for the magical Clinton night til 12), then parties til 2.

It was one of the most hectic and exhausting weeks of our lives; awake every morning at 7 for a terrific group of speakers at our Mass Delegation breakfast from 8 am to 10 am. John Walsh did a terrific job. After breakfast immediately to the convention center (about 3 blocks away) to attend our choice of, maybe, 3 to 5 caucus meetings from 10 to 12.

Charlotte was very receptive and the people very kind and helpful, they seemed to enjoy having this tumult in their city, where 40% of the downtown streets were blocked off and police and firefighters from all over the state patrolled all day and night. Traffic was rerouted and often at a standstill but they seemed to take all in stride.

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We discovered the whole country loves Massachusetts. They admire our politics and our politicians, past and present (including our current Governor) they loved Elizabeth Warren and committed donations to her campaign. During the screening of a film about Ted Kennedy eyes were wet all over the arena. They also admire our health care program, and our education system.  Everyone seemed to be saying that the seat formerly held by Kennedy should continue to be a high profile progressive seat and not be held by a go-along senator.

There was a great sense of participation and warmth-everyone was hugging each other. I asked an MSNBC columnist to compare the two conventions. He said I could not quote him, but the democrats were having much more fun and so was he.

It was a great opportunity for us to be able to sit and converse informally with important political figures, to whom one cannot usually gain access. It certainly gave us a sense of some importance.

The breakfast meetings, organized by Massdems Director John Walsh were outstanding. the speakers talked about issues that may not have been widely known. For example: Senator Kerry talked about his role as chairman of the Senate budget committee during negotiations on the debt ceiling impass, while he talked to the convention on Foreign Policy.