Charlotte Martin has once again fulfilled her role as a delegate for the Democratic Party.
Calling from Charlotte, N.C., Friday morning, the chair of the Hendricks County Democrats and the county's lone Democratic delegate recalled a successful convention for the political party that week.
"We haven't had much sleep," Martin said. "It's been amazing."
She was disappointed that President Barack Obama's speech Thursday night was moved from Bank of America Stadium to an arena because of bad weather. That meant five fellow Democrats flying in from Hendricks County couldn't attend and had to watch the proceedings elsewhere.
Otherwise, Martin considered the convention a success, particularly with Obama's speech.
"He did a very good job of talking about what he has done in the past four years, and what he knows he needs to finish," she said. "Based on eight years of problems when he entered (the presidency), there was no way all that could be fixed in four. We need him to finish the job."
In between prime time speeches by party luminaries were busy schedules comprised of caucuses and forums.
On Wednesday, Martin and her husband Ed attended a conference on American competitiveness sponsored by Duke Energy and Verizon. It featured Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers, as well as former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and Walter Isaacson, CEO of the Aspen Institute.
Indiana delegates shared meeting space with delegates from Ohio and Tennessee during the convention. Thursday morning's breakfast included speeches by former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland as well as U.S. Rep. Andre Carson and Ind. State Sen. Vi Simpson, who's John Gregg's running mate in this year's Indiana gubernatorial race.
Highlights for Martin over the week were former President Bill Clinton's remarks to the delegation on Wednesday. Martin was a delegate for him in 1992 and '96 when she lived in Georgia.
"He was just like ole Bill, telling you exactly how it is," she said.
As a retired teacher, she also was inspired by Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, who said in her speech that once you're a teacher you always are.
"I really connected with her," Martin said.
Overall she doesn't think the convention was as exciting as the ones that first nominated Clinton and Obama for president. That's because those followed Republican presidencies. With Clinton's second convention in '96, Democrats were just hoping he'd get re-elected.
"In this convention, I think all of the delegates Ñ and really all Democrats across the country Ñ feel like that," Martin said. "(Obama has) done a good job his first four years, and we need him for four more to finish the job he started. The theme has been forward, not back."
This convention did, however, succeed in energizing its base.
"I see them all going home and working hard for Obama, and that's what it's going to take," Martin said. "Whoever is elected will really make a stand for what happens with the future of the United States."
wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com
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