As House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn watched Sen. Barack Obama become the first African American to be nominated for president by a major political party on Thursday night, he reflected on Dr. Martin Luther King’s call for the “fierce urgency of now.”

Obama’s historic moment came 45 years to the day after King delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech, symbolizing a remarkable progress for civil rights in Clyburn’s lifetime.

The Sixth District Congressman gave Obama a grade of “A” for rousing the diehards of the party, addressing the world and laying out the differences between himself and Sen. John McCain. However, he believed Obama deserved “more of a B” in highlighting the historical significance of his acceptance speech being given on the anniversary of King’s watershed “Dream” speech.

“I would have loved him (Obama) to say what Dr. King was really talking about that day,” said Clyburn.

Clyburn said the substance of King’s speech “was really about the fierce urgency of now. It wasn’t about a dream.” According to Clyburn, that fierce urgency is about people making good use of their time in accomplishing the things that needed to be done.

Clyburn, the highest ranking African American in Congress, said the Democratic Party will make the “fierce urgency of now” a reality between now and Election Day.

He noted the difference between the festive nature of the younger people at the Democratic National Convention and members of his generation. “The people in my age group were more somber and emotional about it,” Clyburn said.

Other local DNC delegates also viewed Obama’s nomination as historic and magical.

“The environment was electrifying. You had to be there to get the feeling,” said state Sen. John Matthews, D-Bowman.

Matthews said Obama was eloquent and hit all the relevant points.

Jaime Harrison, Clyburn’s floor director, said there wasn’t a dry eye in Invesco Field in Denver as Obama outlined his vision for America.

“It was a really, really emotional event. It was almost like the excitement of a sporting event,” said Harrison, calling it one of the most memorable moments of his life.

However, Harrison pointed out that unlike a sporting event, everyone was rooting for the same team.

Heading into the DNC, the main mission was to unify the party after a hotly contested primary race between Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton.

While some questioned how much the Clintons would actually support Obama’s candidacy, Matthews, a former Clinton backer, said it was “crystal clear” the couple is behind the Illinois senator.

Matthews liked how former President Bill Clinton recalled he was criticized as being inexperienced during his White House run and compared that to the same criticism Obama is facing now.

Harrison said the former commander in chief’s address to the DNC was masterful. “It was one of those steps to get the party unified. It was a big step and he delivered,” he said.

During his Wednesday speech at the DNC, Clyburn talked about the generation that served the American effort in World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He said that generation returned home to attend college, raise families and create the middle class. He told delegates that generation contributed greatly to the prosperity of the nation.

He said today’s generation faces a different reality in which terrorism, global warming and the spread of HIV/AIDS are challenges to the nation’s future.

“Barack Obama recognizes that like the greatest generation, we all have roles to play in our nation’s security. He recognizes that even those who don’t wear a uniform have the opportunity to serve,” he said.

Outside of the DNC, local delegates had other responsibilities in Denver.

Matthews spent his days at the convention attending caucus meetings, hearing renowned speakers and discussing such issues as health care and energy with other party officials.

Harrison served as a political whip at the convention along with “House” star Kal Penn. That job entailed solving any political issues that arose with the various state delegations.

He even caught up with his high school classmate and WWE wrestling champ Shelton Benjamin at the DNC.

Clyburn said he spoke at several church events in Denver and made multiple media appearances.

 

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