The Oldest Delegate at the DNC

There were more than 4,000 delegates present at the role call of states during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte last night, but Steven Sherman was the oldest of all of them. Sherman is one of the only delegates in a wheelchair — and he's the oldest delegate at 91 years old.

Born the same year Warren Harding, the 29th President, took office, he is at the convention to help Barack Obama get re-elected as the 44th President of the United States.

I met Sherman on this afternoon as he entered the Time Warner Cable Arena to be interviewed by Kyra Phillips of CNN's sister channel, Headline News (HLN). Phillips had actually just scheduled an interview with me for an hour later. Seeing him come into the arena, she suggested that I also interview him. He introduced himself to me as Steven and we talked briefly on the floor of the arena.

"I never thought I would live to see the first black President elected," Sherman told me. This is the second Democratic National Convention he's been to — he was in Denver for the convention that first nominated Barack Obama for President.

He also has some words of wisdom for people who want to become delegates like he did. "Just fight for what you believe is right in your country and follow your dreams," he said.

And fight he did. He fought in World War II and today is a decorated veteran who proudly displays his medals and a hat that reads "World War II Veteran."

When asked about former President Bill Clinton's speech last night, he said, "It was just dynamite. Dynamite. That man is smart, he knows where we're going, and Obama can take us there."

He also spoke about his core values as a Democrat and as an American. "Pledge allegiance to yourself, to God, and to your country," he said. "Those are the three."

Afterwards, I took a picture with Sherman. He then asked to take another with his camera, but he has a request. "Go to the other side of me," he joked. "You're covering my medals."

—Kid Reporter Andrew Liang

Photo: Kid Reporter Andrew Liang shakes hands with 91-year-old Democratic delegate Steven Sherman at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte. (Kristen Joerger)