Central Oregon delegate talks about experience at DNC

Just like last week, when NewsChannel 21 highlighted Central Oregonians at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., this week we highlight local residents attending the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.

NewsChannel 21 talked Wednesday with one local delegate about his experience so far.

“In a population of 300 million here in America, and to be one of 6,000 delegates — it’s an amazing honor,” said Bend resident and delegate John Mundy.

Mundy is one of 84 Oregon delegates at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, and one of three from Central Oregon.

“It’s great to see so many people from different walks of life representing the different aspects of the American experience,” Mundy said.

The 2012 Democratic National Convention has a record number of delegates.

Mundy says the convention has the most diverse delegation in the history of the U.S.. as well including the highest number of gay delegates.

“We are increasingly a diverse country,” Mundy said. “I think it’s important to have a party whose party and platform represent that diversity.”

The Democrats are touting that this is the most open and accessible convention in the party’s history — they’ve allowed media and visitors to be directly on the convention floor.

“I think the idea is of democracy in action, that we have increased participation and increased transparency for the event,” Mundy said.

On the first night of the event, delegates, alternates and visitors watched speeches given by the likes of San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and first lady Michelle Obama.

“Michelle Obama’s speech was one of the best-crafted speeches in my life — and I’ve been following politics for the past 30 years,” Mundy said.

The convention already has left Mundy feeling pretty optimistic about the future.

“I think another four years of the current policies will bring us to a better place, will bring us to a stronger America, a stronger middle class,” Mundy said. “I hope that my neighbors in Central Oregon will support Obama this fall.”

Mundy also hopes when Vice President Joe Biden and President Obama give their speeches on Thursday, they expand on the policies laid out in the Democratic platform. Those policies include getting jobs with fair wages and equal opportunity education for all Americans.