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NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson provided another update Wednesday about his time at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.
Michelle Obama’s speech Tuesday night cleared all impatience for Bramson.
“The Convention’s opening night was exceptionally impressive, with speeches and videos that were moving, funny, powerful, and pointed — with a confident, coherent message that bound together the entire program,” Bramson wrote on his website. “And the evening was capped off by a speech from First Lady Michelle Obama that has to rank as one of the great Convention performances in modern history.”
Bramson said he was able to reach his seat for the festivities' 5 p.m. start time after passing through many security guards and small groups of rain-drenched protesters.
“The energy level was high even early in the evening, and it built as things progressed toward prime time,” Bramson wrote.
Bramson said he and other members of the New York delegation were seated far away from the podium. He said delegates from swing states sat closer, along with Illinois, Delaware and North Carolina.
“We grumbled a bit, but only in a good-natured way, and there was a nice feeling of camaraderie among attendees,” Bramson said his post.
“Being so distant, we could only observe the proceedings on the large electronic screen, so, as a purely visual experience, the Convention was not much different from watching at home,” he said.
“In every other respect, however, it felt different, more interesting and much more participatory. Signs corresponding to particular speeches were distributed efficiently, and we all hoisted them on cue — thus discharging the primary duty of a modern-day Convention delegate: television prop.”
Bramson said he heard four basic messages from the night’s speakers: The country is making progress, citizens are benefiting from legislation such as health insurance reform, the Republican Party's approach does not work, and the country is stronger together.
“While the trappings of this or any other Convention can easily be characterized as superficial, the content was substantive and important,” he said.
Bramson said he is focusing on his work duties until he attends two events for government officials, and the second night of major speeches. That will include one from former President Bill Clinton.
“I get antsy being away from my desk for too long, and am glad to have a few hours to catch up on business,” Bramson wrote from Charlotte.
“Clinton has a tough act to follow, but he’s no slouch himself,” he said in his post.
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