OMG what an exciting weekend.

As i stated in my most recent post, I attended the 2005 Florida Democratic Party State Conference held at Disney's Contemporary Resort this past weekend.


The conference began on Friday with Keynote Speaker, DNC Chairman Howard Dean. He energized the crowd and got them ready for the 2006 election cycle.

After Chairman Dean spoke he introduced Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack who ended the evening with his comparison of Florida and Iowa Politics. Friday night we partied it up a bit and called it a night at around 3am.

I woke up saturday morning at 530 to shower and get dressed in my suit for the days events. These included breakfast with Gov Vilsack, Lunch with Former Sen Edwards and Dinner with Senator Barack Obama. The days events also included a Young Democrats meeting, where we amended our constitution and Adopted the Creation of the Florida Young & College Democrats - the umbrella association that will oversee Florida's Young Democrats and Florida's College Democrats. At our meeting on saturday we had US Senator Bill Nelson address the delegation. He introduced his family and campaign staff.
I was excited that I was given the opportunity to Chair the meeting on Saturday. I didn't do too well as i wasn't prepared to Chair and didn't have things ready, but for being put into the spot, I picked up and had it all taken care of.

Senator Obama was a great guest speaker. The first thing he did when he got onstage was to give the FDP a check (unknown amount) in support of our Party and it's work over the next few months. He spoke of the time that Dirk Durbin visited rural (aka mostly republican) southwest Illinois during his campaign in the 60's and was almost accosted by the people of the city. When Sen Durbin went with Barack to that same city, 40 years later in support of Barack's campaign and there were hundreds of people waiting in support of Barack's campaign.

Of course after all of the days events and all of the great speakers, the best way to end things for the night was with a few drinks. We hopped from Party To Party just boozing it up, finally ending up in the jacuzzi at 1:35 AM. LOL

Sunday was the last day of the conference and the official Awards Ceremony for the Young Democrats. The following awards were handed out:
County Chapter of the Year: Leon County Young Democrats

College Chapter of the Year: Florida State University College Democrats

High School Chapter of the Year: East Side High School Young Democrats, Alachua County

FYD Event of Distinction: Leon County Young Democrats, for the Democratic Legislative Staff Reception

Jeffrey Mattison Wershow Award: Stephen Gorham, US Navy Veteran

Young Democrat of the Year: Kristian Cosme

Democrat of the Year: Honorable Karen Thurman

Lifetime Achievement Award: Senator Bob Graham

If you didn't notice, the YOUNG DEMOCRAT OF THE YEAR AWARD went to ME... YES ladies and Gentlemen, my peers at the Florida Young Democrats selected me as the Young Democrat of the Year. I was really honored and esteemed. Senator Dave Aronberg from South Florida presented me with my award.

In other exciting news, i was also appointed as the new Executive Director of the Florida Young Democrats. This position is in charge of the Daily operations of the Young Democrats. It's going to open up many opportunities but at the same time is going to be hard work as we prepare for the 2006 Gubernatorial Race.
Our caucus was joined by FDP Chair Thurman, Congressman Barney Frank, and Governor Mark Warner.We were also joined by several local, regional, and statewide candidates including Jim Davis, Rod Smith, and Alex Sink.

Well that's my weekend in a nutshell, once i get more pictures i'll be sure to update you all with them. I do want to end this with my endorsement of the following candidate for President of the United States of America. Governor Mark Warner has done some great things in his state of Virginia and i look forward to him doing some great things in the USA. So in closing here is the Governor.