The Democratic National Convention in Denver tackled numerous issues this year including LGBTQ rights, dependence on oil, the war in Iraq, taxes and more. The convention set the stage and atmosphere for the 2008 presidential debates and ultimately the election.

Sue Lovell, of Houston City Council, invoked a phrase often used by former Texas Governor Ann Richards saying, "Voting for John McCain and not for Barack Obama would be like the chickens voting for Colonel Sanders."

Highlights of the convention included Obama and Senator Joe Biden's (D-Del) official nominations as the Democratic Party's 2008 ticket, and both men's acceptance of the nominations.

“Let me express my thanks to the historic slate of candidates who accompanied me on this journey, and especially the one who traveled the farthest – a champion for working Americans and an inspiration to my daughters and to yours -- Hillary Rodham Clinton,” said Obama in his acceptance speech. “To President Clinton, who last night made the case for change as only he can make it; to Ted Kennedy, who embodies the spirit of service; and to the next Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, I thank you. I am grateful to finish this journey with one of the finest statesmen of our time, a man at ease with everyone from world leaders to the conductors on the Amtrak train he still takes home every night.”

Senator Joe Biden also recognized Clinton in his acceptance speech, and stated his willingness to serve alongside Obama as vice president.

“Since I’ve never been called a man of few words, let me say this as simply as I can: Yes. Yes, I accept your nomination to run and serve alongside our next President of the United States of America, Barack Obama,” said Biden.

Del Martin's passing was also mentioned several times during the convention.  San Francisco's Mayor Gavin Newsome commented that in light of her death, it is more important now than ever to fight for equal rights for all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation.

"They [Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon] defined, from my perspective, what marriage was supposed to be about,” said Newsome. "There is nothing in the Constitution that restricts people's right to live out loud. There is nothing in the Constitution that denies people the protection of equal protection under the law."

Newsome also commented on the current controversy surrounding California's Proposition 8, a proposition for the November ballot questioning whether marriage in California should be a right only allotted to a man and a woman.

"We need your help to defeat Prop. 8. It is a dead heat in the polls. This would be a monumental setback in the history of our movement,” he stated.

Other delegates at the convention also focused on LGBTQ rights as part of the Democratic platform.

Howard Dean, chairman of the convention said, “8 years ago, civil unions was a breakthrough. Now it's sort of a default, moderate position.”

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) commented as well, saying "By being honest about who we are, we have freed most Americans from the misperception that they were supposed to be homophobic."

The convention also gave the Democratic Party, along with the rest of the nation, a chance to better acquaint themselves with Joe Biden, Obama's selection for vice president.

Biden directly criticized President Bush and Senator McCain's economic theory, stating, “John thinks that during the Bush years 'we’ve made great progress economically.' I think it’s been abysmal. And in the Senate, John sided with President Bush 95% of the time. Give me a break. When John McCain proposes $200 billion in new tax breaks for corporate America, $1 billion alone for just eight of the largest companies, but no relief for 100 million American families, that’s not change; that’s more of the same.”

Hillary Rodham Clinton commented that despite her loss of the nomination she was thrilled to break ground in politics as a woman, and for women everywhere. Numerous speakers lauded her progress, and Obama and Biden both thanked her multiple times. She took the steps necessary at the convention to present a unified party front that culminated in her abandoning the roll-call vote to nominate Obama, and to instead nominate him by acclamation.

Obama's nomination at the convention is historic in that he now holds a position no other black American has ever held-- the Democratic party's nomination as the presidential candidate.

Obama also directly criticized Senator McCain in his speech and defending Americans against McCain's complaint that America is a nation of whiners.

“A nation of whiners? Tell that to the proud auto workers at a Michigan plant who, after they found out it was closing, kept showing up every day and working as hard as ever, because they knew there were people who counted on the brakes that they made,” argued Obama. “Tell that to the military families who shoulder their burdens silently as they watch their loved ones leave for their third or fourth or fifth tour of duty. These are not whiners. They work hard and give back and keep going without complaint.”

Obama accused Senator McCain's comments of ignorance as opposed to apathy.

“It's not because John McCain doesn't care,” said Obama. “It's because John McCain doesn't get it."