Linda, 64, born and raised in New York City, has been registering new voters in her community since May, when the Vote for Change registration drive was first launched.  She has hosted nearly 30 grassroots events, and tonight she is welcoming 25 people into her living room to watch Barack Obama accept the Democratic nomination for President. 

Then, it’s back to pound the pavement this weekend, when Linda will be registering more voters as part of the Convention Weekend of Action.

When asked about the need for people to get involved and join together, she said, “Every single person counts, and we need every person.  I’ve got Leukemia, I had a stroke several years ago, but I’m out there every weekend.  Barack needs the support so he can make the changes that we need.”

Diagnosed with Leukemia in 1998 and suffering a stroke in 2001, Linda hasn’t let her disability hold her back in working to bring change in America.

This is the first time I’ve donated to a political campaign.  I live on social security, but I feel so strongly that Barack Obama must be our next President.  I want to be able to live as a human being and know that there is someone in the White House who is taking care of us and not the billionaires.  It’s time that we got a break.

Her time volunteering for the campaign has earned her the nickname “Vote for Hope Linda” from other supporters. 

I’ve met a lot of great people working with the Obama campaign.  I wanted to be a part of the history that is being made.

Linda’s hoping to use the grassroots organizing skills she learned on the campaign to change her own community in the future.  "I’m thinking of running for local office now that I’ve gained all this expertise,” she said. 

It's still not too late to be a part of the excitement at the convention. If you can't make it to Denver, you can still find a watch party -- like Linda's -- near you, and celebrate Obama's nomination with other supporters in your community. Now, join Linda and the millions of other supporters across America for the Convention Weekend of Action by signing up for an event today.

When you're at your area watch party, take a photo of yourself with one of our "hope" or "change" signs and add your face to our Signs of Hope and Change project. 

The crowd is filing into Mile High and the official program will begin soon. Earlier today we got a glimpse at the final preparations before the crowd arrived, including a rehearsal by Sheryl Crow...

Not long after, a short piece produced by the Obama video team played on the stadium screens to get the crowd fired up. The video features photos of grassroots supporters from all across the country that were submitted online. You can be part of this ongoing video project by uploading your photo at our Signs for Change page.

The crowd is filing into Mile High and the official program will begin soon. Earlier today we got a glimpse at the final preparations before the crowd arrived, including a rehearsal by Sheryl Crow...

Not long after, a short piece produced by the Obama video team played on the stadium screens to get the crowd fired up. The video features photos of grassroots supporters from all across the country that were submitted online. You can be part of this ongoing video project by uploading your photo at our Signs for Change page.

Today, as Barack Obama takes to the stage in Denver to deliver a historic address to the over 75,000 people gathered at Invesco Field and accept the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, communities across Illinois will be gathering together at local watch parties to show their support for the Obama-Biden ticket. The hundreds of gatherings present an opportunity to celebrate with family, friends and neighbors and to learn more about Barack Obama's plans to bring change to our state and our nation.


Today also marks the 45th anniversary of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.'s extraordinary "I Have a Dream" speech. Just as Dr. King looked forward and dreamed of a brighter future, communities across Illinois will be coming together to share their hope for change and a better tomorrow.


Tonight will be a truly historic moment in our history. Sharing the experience with your community and attending a watch party in your neighborhood will make the moment even more extraordinary. There are hundreds of watch parties across the state -- find one in your area.

Tonight is the big night -- the last night of the Democratic National Convention and the night that Barack Obama accepts the nomination for President of the United States.

From day one, the campaign set out to make this year’s Convention different – one that is more accessible to the American people and more inclusive of our Party’s diverse members.
 
And now, with plans for Barack to accept the nomination at Denver’s Mile High Stadium, we will deliver on this commitment in very big and bold way.  With a capacity of more than 75,000, this setting creates an opportunity to bring more people into the Convention experience than ever before.
 
Barack's speech is going to speak directly to Americans about the choice they face in this election. In very specific terms, he’s going to talk about why we can’t afford four more years of the same old politics and the same old policies, which is all that John McCain is offering.
 
He’ll lay out his vision for this country and his approach to governing: getting past the petty bickering that has a trademark of Washington politics to deliver the change we need.
 
This will be a speech to remind voters of Barack's specific plans to end the war in Iraq responsibly so that we can finish the fight in Afghanistan and address emerging threats around the world, give working families a $1,000 tax cut and an emergency energy rebate to deal with soaring prices, invest $150 billion in a green energy economy, and make affordable health care accessible to every American.
 
Folks are going to leave the Convention energized, focused, united, and ready to get to work electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Tonight will also include remarks from Vice President Al Gore, Governor Howard Dean, Martin Luther King, III, along with musical performances from Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow and Will.I.Am. And like every other night this week, ordinary Americans will be sharing their stories and tell the country why they are supporting Barack.

To watch live visit www.demconvention.com.

The stadium at Mile High has yet to open to the public, but the floor is already busy with crews and press making final preparations. Moments ago, Sheryl Crow was on the stage rehearsing for her set later in the night. Here are a few early photos from on the ground at Mile High:

Tonight, James T. Fondriest will join Barack backstage with ten other supporters from around the country. James, a 22-year-old law student and graduate of Ohio State University, never thought he would vote for anyone other than a Republican. An active Bush-Cheney supporter in 2004, he became disillusioned with his state party and Republicans' handling of Iraq, health care, and education.

"Barack Obama has inspired me to believe in politics again and, most importantly, the power of the ordinary citizen," he writes. "Although I still identify as a Republican and still stand for some conservative values, I finally feel like America has found a leader it can look up to and trust."

Leading up to the Ohio primary, James made over 500 "Buckeyes for Obama" T-shirts and donated the profits to the campaign. He has brought his father with him to the convention.

Shortly after his selection, James was featured on the Cleveland Plain Dealer's political blog.