Lawrence.com

In a nondescript hotel suite in downtown Denver, a handful of Hillary Clinton supporters take refuge from the all-consuming Obama circus that has swept every inch of this city. It's the second day of the Democratic National Convention, and there is no doubt that Barack Obama will be named the presidential nominee of his party at the end of the week, but these stubborn few die hards sit amongst now obsolete Hillary campaign signs and endearingly hand-painted portraits of their champion.

While the mood is heavy, and even at times heated, as they hash over the ways they feel Hillary has been slighted, Tess Banion refuses to succumb to such handwringing. "You've got to get over it," she's fond of saying. This longtime Democratic activist from Lawrence is part of the Kansas delegation which will cast their votes on the floor of the Pepsi Center, and she plans on casting hers for Hillary. While she proudly wears her Clinton T-shirt amidst this band of true believers, she also sports an Obama button. Banion-also a member of Lawrence-based production company Heavy Weather Productions-spoke with us in Denver about her past efforts for Hillary, her future efforts for Obama, and how she'll chew you out if you don't get involved either way.

lawrence.com: How did you get involved in Democratic Party politics?

I was active in college, but not overly active. I really got involved when I had my daughter, who's now 29. The first person I ever did anything for was Dan Watkins when he was running for Congress many, many years ago. I went door to door in my neighborhood for him in Kansas City. I came to really understand the connection between electoral politics and policy. You have to get the right people elected. One of my biggest issues was school breakfast. It wasn't mandated in the state and it was a very good program, but the state wouldn't do it because they thought it was communism. My goal was to help get enough Democrats elected in the state House and Senate to get school breakfast passed-and we did. It took 12 years of working really hard to elect Democrats, but we finally got enough to get it passed in 1991. I got to see the results of my efforts to elect Democrats.

How exactly did you get involved with the Clinton campaign?

When it came to Hillary, I decided to get off the sidelines. I was back in school and tried to move on, but I got really angry at the way the media was covering Hillary. I felt it was flat out sexism. It got me motivated, so I started making calls in the community of Lawrence and making connections around the state. We were able to organize to the point where we got 10 delegates, and I'm thrilled about that. Obama ran a really great race and caucuses are his forte. ... I really believe, and still believe, that she would have made an amazing president-but I'm a loyal Democrat.

What does casting your vote for Hillary mean to you personally?

It's just a matter of respect. It's a matter of saying to all those delegates who came to Denver, "You ran a great campaign. You lost, you're not a victim, and we have to honor that." We've done that historically in our party. It took Roosevelt four ballots to get the nomination, so this isn't the end of the world. The end of world would have been if they did not put her name on the roll call. What you would have said to all those people is, "Sit down, shut up and be quiet."

Then do you intend to support Obama?

Oh, absolutely. ... I think there will be some activists who will not work for Obama. ... Who those people are, I don't know, and they probably would never have voted for Obama anyway. ... A majority of the people will come back. Hillary has been very clear with people-this election is just too important.

What's the next step?

I am really going to challenge these young people. I'm not going to let them off the hook. They came out for their guy, and now they have really got to work. You know what? They have to stay involved. It isn't one election, it isn't one guy that turns you on-if you want to be part of something important in this country, it isn't going to be change that's achieved in one election cycle.

Bring friends to the polls, hand out advance ballots, or make phone calls. I'm going to challenge these supporters-"What have you done for Obama today?" It's time. Don't sit there and spew all your ideas at The Bourgeois Pig and then not do a damn thing. I'll be there to tell you to shut up. »