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Elkhorn delegate has convention fever

When running for president, Bill Clinton reminded Republicans, "It's the economy, stupid."

Democrats are preparing to discuss the economy and how President Obama is moving the issue forward at the Democratic National Convention, but the economy won't be the only issue discussed.

"I am especially interested in women's issues, and I've been able to hear a lot about them in the first full day I've been here," said Ellen Holly, a national convention delegate from Elkhorn. "There will be plenty of discussion here about issues that affect women."

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar highlighted the Wisconsin delegation's Tuesday breakfast.

"She is very excited about Tammy Baldwin's campaign for the Senate," Holly said. "She talked about how things have changed from 30 years ago, when there was just one female senator and no female Supreme Court justices.

"Sen. Klobuchar said she was excited at the prospects of serving with an intelligent and determined colleague such as Tammy Baldwin."

Holly attended the convention's women's caucus Tuesday featuring House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, CNN political analyst Donna Brazile, actress Ashley Judd and Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards.

"This election is about women's rights and women's issues whether the Republican Party wants to discuss them or not," Holly said. "For example, we will discuss the role of Planned Parenthood, which is family planning, not abortion."

Richards is the daughter of the late former governor of Texas, Ann Richards, known for her sharp wit and stinging criticism.

"Cecile Richards had one of the greatest lines at the convention so far," Holly said. "I am quoting her, and I wrote it down to make sure I got it right. Here's what she said:

"‘The Republican Party thinks the solution to unemployment is in our uterus. If there is a case for mandating sex education, it is Todd Akin. For the first time in America, being a woman is not a pre-existing condition.'"

Akin is the Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Missouri who proposed that during a "legitimate rape" a woman's body produces hormones that prevent pregnancy.

Holly said she was looking forward to first lady Michelle Obama's address to the convention and hearing Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, and Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

"There's just so much to hear and see, but I was particularly interested in how the convention would not only respond to Republican statements on women but how we will advance women and their issues," Holly said. "We will, of course, promote our party's core values and our positions on current issues, but women and their issues will not be set aside at this convention."