Local delegates set for DNC trip to Philadelphia

UPDATE: 6:30 p.m.

While Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon may have been at the tail end of his work week Friday, he said he was about to start a new task.

Moon is preparing to travel more than 2,600 miles to Philadelphia for the 2016 Democratic National Convention (DNC).

“To be a a part of history is great,” Moon said. “To be there, and feel the electricity, it’s sort of like you can sit at home and watch the Super Bowl game. But look at how many go to the Super Bowl and spend all that money to go to the Super Bowl, because they want to be a part of what’s happening.”

Moon and Cathedral City Councilman Greg Pettis are just two of thousands of people heading to “the City of Brotherly Love,” where former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to become the official Democratic candidate.

“It’s going to be saying positive things about where our country is going to go,” Pettis said. “How we’re going to take care of college tuition. How we’re going to take care of health care. How we’re going to look at foreign policy going forward.”

This comes after Republicans gathered in Cleveland to watch Donald Trump accept their party’s nomination.

In his acceptance speech, Trump spoke about his goals if elected, and why he felt he was a better candidate than Clinton.

“Policy statements and policy contrasts are to be expected,” Pettis said. “That’s fine. But the hatred and villification that was going forward all week long at the convention was totally uncalled for.”

Both men said they’ll collaborate with other Democrats in the city, where unity will be key.

“You’re going to see opponents of Secretary Clinton during the primaries stand up and full-throated endorse her,” Pettis said. “And after we’re done on Friday, you’re going to see a unified Democratic Party going out to win this election in November.”

Friday night, Clinton announced U.S. Senator Tim Kaine from Virginia will be joining her on the Democratic ticket as her Vice Presidential choice.

“I think he’s really a sharp, new, moderate Democrat,” Moon said. “He’s open-minded. I know he’s Catholic, and he said he’s personally opposed to abortion, but he supports a woman’s right to choose. So, here’s a man who has his own beliefs, but he’s intellectual and supports the party’s platform.”

You can catch complete coverage of the 2016 Democratic National Convention next week on KESQ and CBS Local 2.

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ORIGINAL STORY: 4:24 p.m.

Cathedral City Councilman Greg Pettis is a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention and Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon is a delegate.

Both men will be traveling to Philadelphia next week for the Democratic National Convention, where Hillary Clinton is expected to accept the Democratic nomination for president of the United States.

Pettis and Moon are part of the 3,000 delegates going to Philadelphia.

KESQ and CBS Local 2’s Zak Dahlheimer spoke to Pettis and Moon on Friday afternoon to hear their thoughts about Thursday night’s acceptance speech from the Republican nominee, Donald Trump, and to learn how they’re preparing for the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

You can hear from our local Democratic delegates on KESQ News Channel 3 at 5 p.m. and on CBS Local 2 at 6:30 p.m.