Published: August 28, 2008 10:24 am            

Clinton tops Clinton

Kalyn Free says she thought no one could receive a more rousing reception than Hillary Clinton did at the Democratic National Convention in Denver — until Hillary’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, strode to the podium.

“I have never seen a reception like the one President Bill Clinton received — thunderous applause that seemingly never ended,” Free said.

Free, a former Red Oak and McAlester resident, is attending the convention as a superdelegate pledged to Barack Obama. She joined those giving the 42nd president a thunderous welcome.

“Everyone was on their feet, clapping and waving flags,” Free said. “Every seat in the Pepsi Center was filled. People were standing up in the aisles.”

“I didn’t think that he could possibly receive a warmer reception than Hillary, but he did, which clearly shows the depths of admiration and affection our party has for him.”

Free noted that Clinton said he’s behind Obama and the 18 million Hillary Clinton supporters who voted for her in the primaries will also support the Democratic nominee.

“The yielding of the floor to New York to put Barack Obama over the top and Hillary’s gracious announcement of the roll call vote was the perfect topper to the class act performance of last night,” she said.

Free, who now lives in Tulsa, is the director of Indian’s List, which advocates the election of Native American candidates.

She said another Wednesday night highlight had been U.S. Sen. Joe Biden’s acceptance speech of the vice presidential nomination.

“I love Joe Biden — always have,” Free said of the Delaware senator.

“His authorship of the Violence Against Women Act has saved lives,” said Free. “As you know, I am most passionate about domestic violence and child abuse issues, and abused women and children have never had a better friend in Congress than Joe Biden.”

She said she considers Biden the perfect compliment to Obama.

“Our party now has our Democratic dream team,” she said.

Free said other highlights at the convention on Wednesday included U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Iraqi War veteran and double amputee Tammy Duckworth, who said “We are all dishonored when veterans sleep in our streets.”

Now Free is looking forward to seeing Obama accept the Democratic Party’s nomination tonight at Mile High Stadium in Denver.

The event has been moved to the stadium to try and accommodate everyone who wants to attend.

“Oklahomans are driving up,” Free said, adding that her nephew and his friends are among those traveling from Oklahoma to watch Obama accept the Democratic presidential nomination.

“Tonight will be historic,” she said.

        

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