Published on Saturday, August 23, 2008
By BEN GOAD and JIM MILLER
Thousands of Democrats will gather in Denver this week to formally nominate the first black man ever to head a major party's presidential ticket in U.S. history.
For some in Inland Southern California's delegation to the Democratic National Convention, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's impending nomination marks a huge step forward for Americans.
"We will never again be able to say that an African-American cannot reach these heights," said Linnie Frank Bailey, an Obama delegate from Corona.
Obama is scheduled to accept the nomination Thursday night in front of more than 75,000 people expected at Denver's NFL stadium. His address is to take place on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
"It's the start of the fulfillment of Dr. King's dream," Bailey said.
For other Inland delegates, the moment will be bittersweet.
