By Stefan Rogenmoser
Berkeley Independent
Stefan Rogenmoser/Gazette
Berkeley County Democratic Party Chairperson Melissa Watson
Berkeley County Democratic Party Chairperson Melissa Watson is attending this week’s Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. Watson is also the second vice chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party.She is one of 67 delegates from South Carolina who was set to participate in the DNC. The week in Charlotte promised to be a busy one, starting off with Community Day on Monday. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Watson looked forward to all-day activities and conferences at the convention.
On Sunday, she and the South Carolina Delegation were set to walk through the Time Warner Cable Arena for a preview of the place where the keynote speakers will be during prime time televised speeches.
Featured speakers include former President Bill Clinton on Wednesday night and President Barack Obama on Thursday.
“[First Lady] Michelle Obama will be there most of the week,” Watson said. “President Obama probably won’t show up until Thursday.”
For Watson the three-day convention was set to start with a daily breakfast from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. with other delegates from South Carolina. Most delegates have their own hotel, except for large states that are largely Democratic, whose delegates have up to three hotels per state, according to Watson.
The days continue with caucus meetings from 10 a.m. – noon and afternoon receptions with an open gavel beginning at 3 p.m., she said.
“Charlotte was chosen because North Carolina is a swing state,” Watson said. “In 2008 Obama won North Carolina by less than one percent.”
Watson explained that North Carolina was counting its votes well into Election Night 2008, but before the state’s votes were finalized it was already determined that Obama had won the presidency.
“North Carolina is one of those states Barack Obama wants to win again,” she said.
Watson said she’s hoping this time it won’t take as long for North Carolina to count its votes.
“What I’m seeing on both sides of the aisle is complete disinterest,” Watson said. “People are completely disinterested.”
Watson cited the struggling economy and gas prices as part of the public’s apathy.
This will be Watson’s second DNC. She went to the last one in Denver in 2008, but that was before the Goose Creek resident became involved with the Berkeley County Democrats, she said. She was elected as the county chair in 2010.
“This is the first time I’ve been to the convention and served in this capacity,” she said. “I got involved with OFA (Obama For America) in 2007. Then I got involved with the Berkeley County Democrats after that.
“I’m looking forward to hearing all the keynote speakers and the convention energizing the Democratic base. I am excited it is this close to South Carolina.”
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Berkeley Independent
Berkeley County Democratic Party Chairperson Melissa Watson
Berkeley County Democratic Party Chairperson Melissa Watson is attending this week’s Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. Watson is also the second vice chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party.She is one of 67 delegates from South Carolina who was set to participate in the DNC. The week in Charlotte promised to be a busy one, starting off with Community Day on Monday. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Watson looked forward to all-day activities and conferences at the convention.
On Sunday, she and the South Carolina Delegation were set to walk through the Time Warner Cable Arena for a preview of the place where the keynote speakers will be during prime time televised speeches.
Featured speakers include former President Bill Clinton on Wednesday night and President Barack Obama on Thursday.
“[First Lady] Michelle Obama will be there most of the week,” Watson said. “President Obama probably won’t show up until Thursday.”
For Watson the three-day convention was set to start with a daily breakfast from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. with other delegates from South Carolina. Most delegates have their own hotel, except for large states that are largely Democratic, whose delegates have up to three hotels per state, according to Watson.
The days continue with caucus meetings from 10 a.m. – noon and afternoon receptions with an open gavel beginning at 3 p.m., she said.
“Charlotte was chosen because North Carolina is a swing state,” Watson said. “In 2008 Obama won North Carolina by less than one percent.”
Watson explained that North Carolina was counting its votes well into Election Night 2008, but before the state’s votes were finalized it was already determined that Obama had won the presidency.
“North Carolina is one of those states Barack Obama wants to win again,” she said.
Watson said she’s hoping this time it won’t take as long for North Carolina to count its votes.
“What I’m seeing on both sides of the aisle is complete disinterest,” Watson said. “People are completely disinterested.”
Watson cited the struggling economy and gas prices as part of the public’s apathy.
This will be Watson’s second DNC. She went to the last one in Denver in 2008, but that was before the Goose Creek resident became involved with the Berkeley County Democrats, she said. She was elected as the county chair in 2010.
“This is the first time I’ve been to the convention and served in this capacity,” she said. “I got involved with OFA (Obama For America) in 2007. Then I got involved with the Berkeley County Democrats after that.
“I’m looking forward to hearing all the keynote speakers and the convention energizing the Democratic base. I am excited it is this close to South Carolina.”
Notice about comments:Berkeleyind.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Berkeleyind.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not Berkeleyind.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by reading our terms and conditions, and then signing up below!