Berlin Mayor Adam Salina Recalls An Incredible Week At DNC

Berlin Mayor Adam Salina is not sure if he will ever be asked to attend another Democratic National Convention but his experience last week at the DNC in Greensboro, NC was a once in a lifetime experience, he's OK with that.

"It was great to be around and listen to all the speakers, even like Rosa DeLauro, John Larson and Gov. Malloy was an incredible experience," Salina said when he returned Friday. "There were a lot of highlights but the basic message to all of the speeches and the convention was it is important to get back to Connecticut and get out the vote on behalf of the party."

Salina said while most think former President Bill Clinton's speech overshadowed President Obama's speech, he thought both did exactly what they wanted to and needed to for the campaign going forward.

"I was fortunate enough to see President Clinton when he spoke at the University Hartford so I knew he was going to be great," Salina said. "It was a long speech, around 45 minutes, but it didn't feel more than five minutes long. He knows how to break things own into simple terms and rally people for a cause. He was called on to set the table for President Obama's speech and he set him up perfectly.

"I thought President Obama made his case to America. He talked about the bailout and I met some people from Detroit during the week. They are still in their jobs and homes because of the bailout. The big question is are you better off than you were four years ago? I think we are and I got a couple of reminders at the convention. I met those people from Detroit. I heard the personal story of a young girl who had a heart defect and needed three surgeries. She got a message from her insurance company that she had reached her lifetime max after the first surgery. She wouldn't have been able to have her other surgeries if not for the President's healthcare program. I also talked to a number of veterans who appreciate what has been done for military families by this administration."

Salina said that now that he is home he would help work on the Chris Murphy campaign as well as the Obama campaign.

"There was talk at the convention that they might scale back or not have conventions going forward," Salina said. "There was no intrigue as to who the nominee was going to be. The money would be better spent on other things.

"We heard all week that it is important for us to get back and work on our local campaigns so I'll be working on the Chris Murphy campaign to get him re-elected. I'll continue to work for the state party in any way I can with the goal of getting out the vote in November."