Change you can believe in !!!

Written by: linda b on Jul 9, 2008 1:22 PM EDT

On May 10, 2006, I made history. I challenged the powers that be in our 3rd Congressional District  in Virginia and became a delegate for Obama to the National Convention.

I went up against elected state officials. State officials that we work to get elected. Once our work is done, we are patted on the head and told to sit down and shut up. They are going to the party and you, and me, well we can stay home.

Well that didn't happen on May 10. I had gotten emails that there was a "slate" of people that were endorsed by Barack Obama. That Barack Obama who was still on the primary campaign trail.  See, we were told that he had taken time off from his busy campaign and picked five people in the state of Virginia that were more worthy than you and me.

They had taken a letter that was a stock letter thanking people for running as a delegate. And at the top of the letter they had inserted five names of the "chosen".

Luckily for me I had run a caucus for Obama at our city committee and had read the 47 pages of rules. I knew that they could not push a slate over the ballot. But there they were trying to push the slate over the ballot.

I stood up and challenged them. My husband got up and told them if this letter was not offiicial they would all be held accountable. He got in Bobby Scott's face and told him to find out where the letter came from. Bobby said he couldn't do that. My husband, Wayne, would not back down. He asked , is Obama here today. One guy actually said "NO". Wayne said if he was here today he would be shocked at what you guys were pulling. Many of the delegates at the convention were outraged at what they were seeing. They asked if this was democratic. I said no, it's not.

They shut up and let the us get up and give our speeches. I had made flyers and held one up and told the convention to read what I had done. I told them I had help elect some of these same people to office and now you tell us to sit down. I told them I would not allow this to happen. I told them I had gone to work for Obama in Elizabeth City, N.C., had they??

I got a standing ovation. When we finally put out the ballot I stood up and said "I am still here!".

I was elected to be a delegate for Barack Obama to the Democratic National Convention.

I didn't back down thanks to the inspiration of a guy named Howard Dean. I want my country back and I want our elected officials to honor the grassroots efforts of those of us who work so hard to get them elected.

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Location: newport news, VA 23602