Published: August 27, 2008 11:08 am            

Free says Hillary pumped up Dems with a stem-winder

Kalyn Free says Hillary Clinton’s speech so stirred the Democratic Party faithful in Denver on Tuesday night that the roar of the crowd drowned out part of her words.

“There were about four times near the end of her speech that we lost the sound because the crowd was so deafening,” Free said.

Free, a former Red Oak and McAlester resident who currently lives in Tulsa, is attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver as a presidential superdelegate committed to Barack Obama.

She said the convention center had been so jammed to hear Clinton’s speech Tuesday night, that the fire marshal’s office stopped letting any more people inside.

Those who were inside got to hear Clinton electrify the delegates, she said.

“I think she put aside any rumors she didn’t want Obama to win,” Free said.

“She was talking about how important it is to make sure we end eight years of George Bush.”

Speaking of the impact of Clinton’s address to the delegates, Free said “It warmed our hearts and inspired everyone and charged us up to work even harder.”

Free is the current director of INDN’s List, which advocates the election of Native American candidates. She had been selected as a superdelegate by Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean.

She believed Clinton had been inspiring in more ways than one.

“Hillary has changed the way little girls — and boys — think about the presidency,” Free said.

“She removed all doubt that a woman can compete for the highest office in the land, that she was up to the challenge, that she had the intellect, passion, clear vision, fortitude and strength to campaign for and run America.”

“She put 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling and ensured that the glass will crack a bit easier for the next woman presidential candidate, and some day it will come crashing down.”

In addition to hearing speeches from the headliners at the convention, Free’s also been attending meetings of the Native American Caucus and other meetings throughout the day.

She began Tuesday morning with DNC Vice Chairman and California Congressman Mike Honda, who represents Silicone Valley. Honda addressed the Oklahoma delegation breakfast.

“In addition to the delegates who came to hear Rep. Honda, we had 12 kids from Logan Middle School who made a special trip to meet with the Oklahoma delegates and to listen to Honda,” Free said.

“Congressman Honda entertained, inspired and enlightened all in attendance,” she said. “He took special interest in the students; his years of being an educator shone through in his interaction with the students.”

Free said the Oklahoma delegation gave Honda a standing ovation.

Now, Free is looking forward to this evening, when the most recent Democratic president is set to work his oratorical magic on the delegates.

“The clincher — if there needs to be one — is that Bill Clinton’s going to speak tonight,” she said.

Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.

        

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