Electing Hope: The 2008 Democratic National Convention

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography The city of Denver, Colo., during the 2008 Democratic National Convention in August.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography A Denver police officer keeps a watchful on the gathering crowd of demonstrators in front of the Denver City and County Building. An initial arrest of one protestors created a volatile situation between police and the demonstrators which lead to another arrest before the police broke ranks and dispersed.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Gary Anderson of Lakewood, Colo., stands on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver, Colo., while holding Palestinian flag, left, and 48 star U.S. flag as hundreds gather for a protest rally and march during the Democratic National Convention on Sunday morning Aug. 24, 2008. Anderson says he is opposed to the Iraqi war and that "nations can have a moral integrity, but empires cannot."

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Protestors chant anti-war slogans as they march down West Colfax Avenue Hundreds during the Democratic National Convention on Sunday afternoon Aug. 24, 2008, in Denver, Colo.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Political activist and author Ron Kovic leads hundreds of protestors as they march down West Colfax Avenue during the Democratic National Convention on Sunday morning Aug. 24, 2008, in Denver, Colo.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Protestors yell across the 16th Street Mall on Monday afternoon Aug. 25, 2008, at pro-christian activists in Denver, Colo. Several arrests were made after some of the protestors became combative with the police.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Denver Public Schools teacher Mike Corey of Denver, Colo., yells his thoughts to passers-by as hundreds gather for a protest rally and march during the Democratic National Convention on Sunday morning Aug. 24, 2008, at the Colorado State Capitol building in Denver, Colo. He says he tries to teach his students to vote selfishly on issues and "soon they come around and begin to really think about the issues."

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography A platoon of Denver, Colo., police wait in formation for the arrival of over 2000 anti-war demonstrators Wednesday evening Aug. 27, 2008, outside the entrance to the Pepsi Center on Speer Boulevard during the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Protestors lie in the street as hundreds walk towards the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo., during the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Noah Balmar, 4, of Boulder rides atop the shoulders of his dad Lee during the Backbone Campaign environmental awareness march along Bannock Street on Tuesday morning Aug. 26, 2008, at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colo.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography 9-11 conspiracy theorist José Rodriguez of Wash., D.C., demonstrates against the findings of the 9-11 Commission on Tuesday morning Aug. 26, 2008, at Civic Center Park near downtown Denver, Colo.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Anti-riot police form a defensive line against a growing crowd of aggressive demonstrators Monday morning Aug. 26, 2008, in Civic Center Park in downtown Denver, Colo.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Code Pink member Alicia Forrest talks with reporters moments before being grabbed by a member of the Denver Police, second from left, Monday morning Aug. 26, 2008, at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver, Colo.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Code Pink demonstrator Alicia Forrest gets help from a fellow demonstrator after being knocked to the groud by a Denver police officer with a baton on Tuesday morning Aug. 26, 2008, at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver, Colo.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography A demonstrator screams to the media after being detained Tuesday morning Aug. 26, 2008, at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver, Colo.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Buildings in along the 16th Street Mall are decorated in patriotic garb Wednesday morning Aug. 27, 2008, for the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Colorado delegate Blanca O'Leary of Aspen applauds while listening to speakers during the Democratic National Convention on Monday afternoon Aug. 25, 2008, in the Pepsi Center in Denver.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography The floor is packed as delegates vote during the presidential nomination process of the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday afternoon Aug. 27, 2008, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Colorado delegate Julia Hicks of Westminster dances in her seat as the music blares during the first full day of activities Monday afternoon Aug. 25, 2008, of the Democratic National Convention at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Hicks says she is definitely casting her vote for candidate Barack Obama on Wednesday.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Colorado Democratic Party chairperson Pat Waak, left, and delegates Blanca O'Leary of Aspen, and Bryan Gonzales of Basalt watch other delegates during the Democratic National Convention on Monday afternoon Aug. 25, 2008, at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Colorado delegates Blanca O'Leary of Aspen, left, and Brian Gonzales of Basalt chat with California delegate Maria Alegria of Piinole, Calif., on Monday afternoon Aug. 25, 2008, while schmoozing at the Pepsi Center during the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Colorado delegates Blanca O'Leary of Aspen, bottom, and Julia Hicks of Westminster hug while Brian Gonzales of Basalt sends text messages after the Colorado delegation declared their votes for Barack Obama towards the presidential nomination Wednesday afternoon Aug. 27, 2008, during the Democratic National Convention at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Colorado delegates voted 55-17 for Obama.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Colorado delegate Marzette Bedford-Billinghurst of Greenwood Village sheds tears while listening to the nomination speeches for Sen. Barack Obama on Wednesday afternoon Aug. 27, 2008, during the Democratic National Convention at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Bedford-Billinghurst is a dedicated Obama supporter. Obama won the presidential nomination with the strength of 1549 delegates.

© 2008 Paul Conrad/Pablo Conrad Photography Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) makes his points for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) on Monday afternoon Aug. 27, 2008, while making a speech during the seconding speeches at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Obama won the nomination with the strength 1549 to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's (D-N.Y.) 341.