AUDIO: Retiree to Gainesville, DNC delegate has long history with party

For Wilson Golden, the Democratic Party has been part of his life for decades.  Golden, a recent retiree to Gainesville, is a delegate in Philadelphia this week, but it's far from his first convention.

 

It's the third time he's voted for the party's nominee at the Democrats' big gathering.  Commenting Wednesday, Golden called his vote for Hillary Clinton an amazing moment, noting the historical context.

 

"I now have ten grandchildren, including some granddaughters, and I think about the world that they will live in, literally because of what we did yesterday (Tuesday) and what I hope happens in November and in January have the first woman president of the country," Golden said.

 

He called the unfolding race between Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump close and very competitive, but said he likes her chances, echoing other Georgia democrats who've said the state is up for grabs in November.

 

"Let's just say that we (Democratic Party) feel very, very good about the fact, not just her being the first (female) president, but being a person fully by experience and training, Golden said.  I've heard both Barack Obama and Bill Clinton say, they themselves having both been presidents, that this is the most qualified person ever to offer for President of the United States, and that's quite a statement."

 

The Philadelphia party gathering marks Golden's 10th convention.  He was a delegate first for Jimmy Carter and later a delegate for Bill Clinton in 1992.  

 

Golden worked in Washington D.C. for years, serving in the Clinton administration in the transportation department.  He said he's known the Clintons since their days in Arkansas, admitting, "I'm very very biased toward Bill Clinton but for a reason."

 

"I think he gave a perspective obviously that no one else has about how they met and how we kind of got to where we are today, so I think he's going to make a great first gentleman,"  Golden said of Bill Clinton's speech at the convention Tuesday.

 

Golden has also come full-circle in a way when it comes to the Carter family.  He moved to Georgia when Jason Carter, the former president's grandson, was running for governor in 2014.

 

Jason Carter spoke to the Georgia delegation in Philadelphia Tuesday morning, ahead of his convention appearance to introduce a video appearance by his grandfather, Jimmy Carter.

 

"It felt amazing to stand there and be talking to a 40-year-old man, and know that I voted for his grandpa 40 years ago," Golden said.

 

As the convention entered day three on Wednesday, Golden said his favorite convention speech thus far belonged to the first lady.

 

"I confess as a longtime admirer of hers that Michelle Obama's speech I thought was the most from the heart.  I think people all across America and the world fell in love with this woman again," Golden said.

 

Democrats were preparing Wednesday to hear from Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Clinton's running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine.