Local Democratic delegates head to Denver

Local delegates packed their bags this past weekend and headed out west to Denver. Two of those delegates hail from Georgetown County. And for both of them being a part of this convention in particular is important because they'll witness history in the making.

Before Susan Smith of North Litchfield Beach and Marilyn Hemingway of Georgetown flew out of town, they got together to coordinate their schedules for the multitude of events they want to attend. It was a swap meet, of sorts. They shared invitations, and charted the course for their time at the Democratic National Convention. They're the best of friends- political animals. But they actually campaigned hard against each other for their positions as delegates. They were delighted that they both wound up winning spots, and both are delegates for John Edwards. Smith said, "Its one of the most exciting times of my life. Yes I eat, drink.sleep politics. It's my hobby, it's my religion."

This is Smith's first convention ever, and she admits, it's a dream come true for her. We're going to watch history being made. That's exciting. It's exciting to meet people like me all over the country who have the same goal in mind and that's to elect a democrat in the White House," Smith said.

Hemingway shares Smith's enthusiasm. "It's exciting because you meet national political figures that you see on network TV everyday, but you never think, you know, I'm gonna meet this person, but you meet them on elevators, in the hotel, you meet them at breakfast, They're just as down to earth as you could possibly be," Hemingway shared. Hemingsway cut her teeth on politics.. and it's her second time at the DNC. Her earliest memories are on the campaign trail, politicking for family members. Hemingway's great grandfather was once the Georgetown County Coroner.

But her roundtrip ticket to Denver plus her expenses at the convention were her own responsibility. "i'm not independently wealthy, so I do fundraisers for me to go," Hemingway explained. Her own handmade bags sporting political logos will pay her way. She said it'll take selling about 100 of her bags to cover the tab, but it's worth the extra effort. The funds she raises from the bags along with donations from family and friends should cover her expenses.

She and her close friend will squeeze every second out of the convention. Hemingway's strategy for that is to get her sleeping done on the airplane.

Again, both Smith and Hemingway are Edwards delegates. Without a doubt, Edwards was on track to be highly visible at this year's Democratic National Convention ,until news of his admitted extra-marital affair become public a couple of weeks ago.
Instead, the experience for those who campaigned hard for him, and now serve as his delegates at the convention, is much different than they planned.
We asked them how they feel about what has happened with their candidate. "Well, we've been asked lots of questions from the media about how his personal life is going to affect this convention. And I just wish that the story would die," Smith said.

Hemingway defended Edwards, saying, "We need to make a decision that we hold our media accountable. Yeah, we need to hold our elected officials accountable but not because of what they did in their private lives, which is between him, his wife, and if you believe, their God. But we hold them accountable for the way they serve the public."

Hemingway said she is updating her blog at the convention regularly. You can check out her blog at the following address: blacknbluesc.wordpress.com.