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9:06 Preliminary introductions are underway in the Cramton Auditorium at Howard University, and the banquet room at the nearby Blackburn Student Center is cramed with attentive journalists and bloggers. Moderator Tavis Smiley was introduced his long-time ally, radio host Tom Joyner. While we waited, I had a quick interview with Danielle-Holley Walker about her expectations for the event.
Joyner said tonight's event is testament to the
"power of black media, power of black America." He and Smiley stressed that while black Americans cared about the same things that all Americans cared about, but experience some problems more acutely. "When America catches a cold, Black America catches pneumonia," he said. He then cautioned that neither party can take African American votes for granted.
Smiley echoed Joyner and paid tribute to those in the audience who contributed to the Covenant With Black America.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick was introduced to thunderous applause. After stressing that discontent with Republicans was not enough to elect a Democratic president, he introduced the candidates. The biggest surprise was the strong applause for former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel.
