| Kathy Cozzone is a Chester County Commissioner in her second term. She is serving as a delegate for the second time, the first having been in 2008 in Denver. My first question to her was about the differences between the two conventions, but all she could say way how incredibly great it was to be in Charlotte and how wonderful everyone was. She spoke to me about how busy her schedule has been, starting every morning with the Delegates' Breakfast. Some of the speakers have included Bob Casey (who is also chair of the PA delegation), Kathleen Kane, Rob McCord, Mike Nutter, and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, just to name a few. The have been caucuses and panel discussions, and of course being in the arena last night for the speeches. Commissioner Cozzone, when asked which speaker she liked best, said the First Lady. She said that, as a mom, Michelle Obama's speech almost brought her to tears when the First Lady spoke about her children, and doing the right things by all children, which resonated with Ms. Cozzone. She was enthused and excited by Cory Booker, and felt that all the speakers had done a terrific job on the podium. The Commissioner voted proudly for the party platform, which she believes embodies the goals and ideals of both the Democratic Party and President Obama. Most important to her, and the reason she is such a supporter of the president, is the absolute commitment to the middle class. "President Obama and his policies are directed toward moving the middle class forward," she said, "The middle class must be empowered, respected and given every opportunity afforded everybody else. In addition, we must support the rights of women. The issues the President, and the party, are fighting for relate to the assault the Republicans have launched against all women, and by extension, their children. It's critical that women have access to the health care they need, and that the care is affordable. It's also an economic choice: women's wages are still below men's, and we need to elect people who will help women get the education they need to compete in the work place by keeping Title IX, Pell Grants, education support and many other important programs." Finally, I asked how she felt about the acceptance speech being moved indoors tomorrow night. "It's sad," the Commissioner said, "I remember being in Denver and all those tens of thousands of people, and their energy. It's too bad we won't have that opportunity tomorrow, but I've heard there is the threat of lightening, and better safe than sorry." |
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