Convention is done! What a crazy experience! Events, parties, great people great fun. I strongly encourage people to get involved and run for a delegate spot in 2012. As dorky as it sounds, it was one of my dreams and it's great to have lived it. Hopefully I'll do it again.
Now I'm in Rangely, CO, visiting my old roommate Jim. Back to Raleigh (boo!) Monday. I'll find a way to post a ton of pictures and I'll put the link on here.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday pics
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius at breakfast Wed.
Delegate Service Day.
Texas del. Barbara Rosenberg, Hillary, Philly Mayor Mike Nutter
Hilldawg
Hillary's nomination speech.
Sen. Salazar seconded Obama's nomination.
Roll call of the states - Hawaii.
Rebecca Gwatney, wife of Arkansas Democratic Chair Bill Gwatney, who was recently killed at their state headquarters.
Hillary at the New York delegation's moment in the roll call where she made her motion to nominate Obama by acclamation.
Again, fast and blurry picture. Not sure what he was doing here!
App State grads, minus Rep. Ty Harrell. L-R, Betsy of Cleveland County, me, Tasse of Mecklenburg Co., Drew of Asheville, Judy of Lincoln Co.
Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri at breakfast Thursday morning, talking up Kay Hagan. Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana was supposed to also come, but with Gustav on the way, she returned home to New Orleans.
Wednesday
I’ve almost forgotten what day it is – this is a non-stop marathon of events. This is the first time I’ve spent in my room outside of sleeping at night. Wednesday was a lot of fun, except MY CAMERA DIED! Fortunately, I still got some good pictures, just not when Obama came out at the end along with Joe’s family.
Breakfast began with Gov. Easley and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, both of which did a great job. Immediately after that we headed to Delegate Service Day and then immediately after that we headed downtown to hear Hillary speak to her delegates. Then immediately after that, they wanted us in our seats at the Pepsi Center by 3:15 for the nominations and roll call. Then after all of the convention proceedings end, the parties begin.
At Hillary’s event, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Texas Delegate Barbara Rosenberg spoke before Hillary. It was awesome – so much so that I chose to cast my vote for Hillary. However, at the roll call of states, it never even got to us – we lost our doggone moment! I wish New York had passed until the end. Alphabetically, we are right after New York who is right after New Mexico. New Mexico deferred to Illinois who had passed earlier. This is most likely because New Mexico’s votes could have put Obama over the top. Illinois deferred to New York where Senator Clinton made her motion to nominate Obama by acclamation. That was great – a lot of fun and celebrating after it passed. It just stinks because we were standing up ready for our two minutes of fame!
It was right about then that my phone started to die, so I saved it up for one shot of Bill and a few of Joe Biden, which I got, barely. Bill did awesome, as usual. The Clintons are some of the best speakers in the country and I heard he did it with no teleprompter and few notes.
If I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again; take a look at Joe Biden. You’ll come away impressed. He is the most real, normal candidate I’ve seen in my lifetime and also one of the most accomplished public servants. Definitely the best choice Obama could have made for VP.
After it was done, we hit up the combined NC/Oklahoma party and then went to the “Voto Latino” party. Leave it up to Kansas Chris to try to get us into the VIP line. Then we went to a club called “the Church.” William and Chris loved it – me, not so much. It was complete with freaky house music and nasty girls with glo-sticks in their mouths. All for just $25!!! Absurd.
We just did our delegation photo, an App State group photo, and a 5th/12th District group photo. Soon it will be time to head to Invesco!
Breakfast began with Gov. Easley and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, both of which did a great job. Immediately after that we headed to Delegate Service Day and then immediately after that we headed downtown to hear Hillary speak to her delegates. Then immediately after that, they wanted us in our seats at the Pepsi Center by 3:15 for the nominations and roll call. Then after all of the convention proceedings end, the parties begin.
At Hillary’s event, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Texas Delegate Barbara Rosenberg spoke before Hillary. It was awesome – so much so that I chose to cast my vote for Hillary. However, at the roll call of states, it never even got to us – we lost our doggone moment! I wish New York had passed until the end. Alphabetically, we are right after New York who is right after New Mexico. New Mexico deferred to Illinois who had passed earlier. This is most likely because New Mexico’s votes could have put Obama over the top. Illinois deferred to New York where Senator Clinton made her motion to nominate Obama by acclamation. That was great – a lot of fun and celebrating after it passed. It just stinks because we were standing up ready for our two minutes of fame!
It was right about then that my phone started to die, so I saved it up for one shot of Bill and a few of Joe Biden, which I got, barely. Bill did awesome, as usual. The Clintons are some of the best speakers in the country and I heard he did it with no teleprompter and few notes.
If I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again; take a look at Joe Biden. You’ll come away impressed. He is the most real, normal candidate I’ve seen in my lifetime and also one of the most accomplished public servants. Definitely the best choice Obama could have made for VP.
After it was done, we hit up the combined NC/Oklahoma party and then went to the “Voto Latino” party. Leave it up to Kansas Chris to try to get us into the VIP line. Then we went to a club called “the Church.” William and Chris loved it – me, not so much. It was complete with freaky house music and nasty girls with glo-sticks in their mouths. All for just $25!!! Absurd.
We just did our delegation photo, an App State group photo, and a 5th/12th District group photo. Soon it will be time to head to Invesco!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday/Wednesday
I'm finally got just a few minutes to update. We just got back from Delegate Service Day where we worked with Alaska and Minnesota to pack emergency food boxes for Meals on Wheels. I met a Korean War Veteran, Mr. Anderson, from Albert Lea, Minnesota.
This morning we had to vote - at least initially. I'll be completely honest - it was a very tough decision. I won't reveal it yet because we have the opportunity to change our minds before this afternoon's session. I'm leaving shortly for a meeting of the Hillary delegates with Hillary, so hopefully that will cement my thoughts one way or another.
Rest assured, I'm all about party unity. My vote for Hillary, should that be the case, would be to uphold an obligation. No matter what she says, I was elected by folks who truly wanted to vote for her for president. I feel more obligated to them than to her. At the same time, I feel she has not been given her due by the press. She has done everything she can to demonstrate unity, yet the message being delivered is that she's not whole-hearted or trying to undermine Obama. So a vote for him would hopefully show that she and her delegates are trying to present a united front.
Anyway, back to yesterday. I met up with Fran Santagata of the Denver Urban Area Security Initiative. I met her through my new boss and with that connection I got to go visit the Emergency Operations Center, where folks in emergency management are staked out 24/7 to make sure this convention is safe. After that, we had lunch, but on the way I got interviewed by Fox 9 TV, and interestingly enough, it was about the safety and security of the event.
Once I got to the Pepsi Center, we were told to go sit in New York's section, as their new governor was about to speak and none of them were there! So I figured with so many of them coming to be North Carolinians, we can go pretend to be New Yorkers. The convention starts at 3pm, but the real meat of the session isn't until prime time.
Last night Mark Warner and Hillary spoke. Mark Warner was a great governor of Virginia and will be a great senator, but he sure is a flat speaker. Hillary on the other hand was awesome. She demonstrated why I decided to back her in the first place - she's collected, she's smart, she conveys her message well. If you think negatively of her, I ask you to study up some more and reconsider. You'll come away impressed.
William, my roommate, showed up last night and we went to the NC after-party at Coors Field. It was cool - sitting out on the deck of this nice bar overlooking the field.
Ok, time to try to get some pics up before I head downtown.
This morning we had to vote - at least initially. I'll be completely honest - it was a very tough decision. I won't reveal it yet because we have the opportunity to change our minds before this afternoon's session. I'm leaving shortly for a meeting of the Hillary delegates with Hillary, so hopefully that will cement my thoughts one way or another.
Rest assured, I'm all about party unity. My vote for Hillary, should that be the case, would be to uphold an obligation. No matter what she says, I was elected by folks who truly wanted to vote for her for president. I feel more obligated to them than to her. At the same time, I feel she has not been given her due by the press. She has done everything she can to demonstrate unity, yet the message being delivered is that she's not whole-hearted or trying to undermine Obama. So a vote for him would hopefully show that she and her delegates are trying to present a united front.
Anyway, back to yesterday. I met up with Fran Santagata of the Denver Urban Area Security Initiative. I met her through my new boss and with that connection I got to go visit the Emergency Operations Center, where folks in emergency management are staked out 24/7 to make sure this convention is safe. After that, we had lunch, but on the way I got interviewed by Fox 9 TV, and interestingly enough, it was about the safety and security of the event.
Once I got to the Pepsi Center, we were told to go sit in New York's section, as their new governor was about to speak and none of them were there! So I figured with so many of them coming to be North Carolinians, we can go pretend to be New Yorkers. The convention starts at 3pm, but the real meat of the session isn't until prime time.
Last night Mark Warner and Hillary spoke. Mark Warner was a great governor of Virginia and will be a great senator, but he sure is a flat speaker. Hillary on the other hand was awesome. She demonstrated why I decided to back her in the first place - she's collected, she's smart, she conveys her message well. If you think negatively of her, I ask you to study up some more and reconsider. You'll come away impressed.
William, my roommate, showed up last night and we went to the NC after-party at Coors Field. It was cool - sitting out on the deck of this nice bar overlooking the field.
Ok, time to try to get some pics up before I head downtown.
whoa tired
It's 1:30 here, 3:30 there and we just got in. Today was once again alot of fun, especially Hillary's speech. I also got to visit the Emergency Operations Center. All are stories for tomorrow when I'm hopefully a little more rested and have a little more time!
Thanks again for reading and I'll update tomorrow.
Thanks again for reading and I'll update tomorrow.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
one more pic
Just another cool picture that I had in the post just below but accidentally deleted and didn't want to try and re-format to fit into it. I think it's just a really cool shot of the crowd reacting to Michelle Obama with one of our many, many convention signs.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Day One
The first day is complete! It was long, but a ton of fun. We started out the day waiting in a long line to get our credentials and then had our delegation breakfast, sponsored by AT&T. Arkansas Lt. Governor Bill Halter spoke to us and an AT&T representative led us in a cheer – cheesy, but fun.
I decided to get downtown as quick as possible as I wanted to be around the action. Our hotel is a good distance south of town but we have a light-rail stop right by our hotel. I met Drew Reisinger, an Obama delegate from Asheville. He and I did some tourist things before the convention session. We went to the free admission Art Museum (tried to go to the History Museum, but it cost money and we're cheap) and the State Capitol – a really awesome building with a great 360 degree view from the dome. Then we realized we were on the wrong side of downtown from the Pepsi Center and we took a cab over there. The Convention gaveled down at 3:00pm and lasted until Michelle Obama was done speaking at 9:00. In between that time we heard everybody and their cousin speak.
In the few minutes before the Convention started, we wandered around outside and on the floor. We met Bill Schnieder and Gloria Borger from CNN, both of whom I got pictures with. I also got a picture with actor Kal Penn (Harold and Kumar). We saw the Daily Show crew filming a segment and tried to get in the background on that shot, along with John King on CNN and his magic board. I took a picture of Katie Couric too until the lady fussed at my flash (what’s the doggone bother, she’s on TV anyway!).
Our delegation is sitting at “7:30” if the podium is 12. They are higher than the floor seats but still good – we have a great view. Some states are really stuck out in the boonies (poor Utah – maybe they should be more Democratic!). We’re sitting right beside New Jersey and a good number of my pictures have the New Jersey sign in them – but we all know I don’t live there.
It was a real surprise to see Ted Kennedy. At first the just said there would be a video tribute, but when it was done, he wandered out. We also heard from Craig Robinson, Michelle Obama’s brother and the coach of the Oregon State Men’s Basketball Team. Then of course, Michelle spoke, and I think she did a great job. Part of me was/is concerned that folks have a very negative opinion of her and I thought she did a good job of coming across as normal, low-key and re-assuring; at least, that’s how I hope it came across.
Once it was all over, we had trouble finding the shuttles so a handful of us went back to the light-rail and came back to the “party” sponsored by McGuire Woods. It was slow, but had free food, so I was excited. I’m not sure how many pictures this will let me post, but I’ll try to do a decent number.
Thanks for reading. Tomorrow night is Hillary’s night!
After breakfast with folks from the 11th District, Pat Crawford, Bruce Peterson, Congressman Heath Shuler and Carol Peterson, a Buncombe County Commissioner.
With Bill Schneider of CNN outside the Pepsi Center.
DNC Chairman Howard Dean gaveling the Convention to order.
I decided to get downtown as quick as possible as I wanted to be around the action. Our hotel is a good distance south of town but we have a light-rail stop right by our hotel. I met Drew Reisinger, an Obama delegate from Asheville. He and I did some tourist things before the convention session. We went to the free admission Art Museum (tried to go to the History Museum, but it cost money and we're cheap) and the State Capitol – a really awesome building with a great 360 degree view from the dome. Then we realized we were on the wrong side of downtown from the Pepsi Center and we took a cab over there. The Convention gaveled down at 3:00pm and lasted until Michelle Obama was done speaking at 9:00. In between that time we heard everybody and their cousin speak.
In the few minutes before the Convention started, we wandered around outside and on the floor. We met Bill Schnieder and Gloria Borger from CNN, both of whom I got pictures with. I also got a picture with actor Kal Penn (Harold and Kumar). We saw the Daily Show crew filming a segment and tried to get in the background on that shot, along with John King on CNN and his magic board. I took a picture of Katie Couric too until the lady fussed at my flash (what’s the doggone bother, she’s on TV anyway!).
Our delegation is sitting at “7:30” if the podium is 12. They are higher than the floor seats but still good – we have a great view. Some states are really stuck out in the boonies (poor Utah – maybe they should be more Democratic!). We’re sitting right beside New Jersey and a good number of my pictures have the New Jersey sign in them – but we all know I don’t live there.
It was a real surprise to see Ted Kennedy. At first the just said there would be a video tribute, but when it was done, he wandered out. We also heard from Craig Robinson, Michelle Obama’s brother and the coach of the Oregon State Men’s Basketball Team. Then of course, Michelle spoke, and I think she did a great job. Part of me was/is concerned that folks have a very negative opinion of her and I thought she did a good job of coming across as normal, low-key and re-assuring; at least, that’s how I hope it came across.
Once it was all over, we had trouble finding the shuttles so a handful of us went back to the light-rail and came back to the “party” sponsored by McGuire Woods. It was slow, but had free food, so I was excited. I’m not sure how many pictures this will let me post, but I’ll try to do a decent number.
Thanks for reading. Tomorrow night is Hillary’s night!
After breakfast with folks from the 11th District, Pat Crawford, Bruce Peterson, Congressman Heath Shuler and Carol Peterson, a Buncombe County Commissioner.
Drew and I outside the Denver City/County Government Building.
Colorado State Capitol
View looking west/southwest from the dome of the capitol.
With Bill Schneider of CNN outside the Pepsi Center. 
The view from our seats; you can see our state sign on the right. The podium setup is quite elaborate.
CNN's John King and his magic "I know what you ate for breakfast and how that made your county vote" board.
CNN's Gloria Borger, who, according to one of my favorite blogs, Campaign Diaries, correctly predicted back in January that Joe Biden would be the VP selection.
With actor Kal Penn, who looks like he'd rather be doing anything else in the world than taking this picture with me.
Jon Oliver of the Daily Show skewering some poor person for a segment.
DNC Chairman Howard Dean gaveling the Convention to order.
Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter made a brief walk-through (not even a speech).
Just a cool scene of folks waving their signs and flags with our state sign in the background.
"Big Mike" and Mary showed up and we talked for a good bit since I hadn't seen them in a while. Yes, I know you're still stuck on the first sentence... they showed up!
Ted Kennedy made a surprise appearance!
Michelle speaking.
At the end, Barack came on from a live feed in Missouri and the exchange with his daughters was really cute.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
FINALLY HERE!
Hello from Denver! Wow – I’ve only been here a short while and I can already tell it’s a great place. I can also tell that one word will be able to describe my experience: overwhelming.
I thought today would be simple – travel, go to the welcome reception, go to bed. Oh no.
I am staying at the Doubletree Denver Tech which is pretty far south of downtown. North Carolina is staying here along with Kansas. The Raleigh law firm Parker, Poe, Adams and Bernstein sponsored a welcome reception for both states that included an open bar, ice cream bar and other small food. I got to the hotel after it started, so I quickly changed and headed down to it.
While there I talked with Dr. Beth Jones, Chair of Caldwell County and Jim Morgan, Chair of New Hanover County (who I knew from my time at UNCW). I saw a number of other folks and mingled around with them for a good while. Then, I was walking while texting and bumped into a volunteer from Kansas, Chris. He’s in town to help with security, etc. downtown at the convention site. He’s also much more social than me and somehow convinced me to go with him downtown to where he thought were some parties and bars.
After getting a nice but unexpected tour of downtown, we found a few places, one of which, I think, was sponsored by the Young Democrats of America. Congressman Kendrick Meek of Florida and the YDA President both spoke while we were there, but mostly we just met folks. I fully expect that if I hang around Chris for the week, I’ll have a lot more on my plate than originally planned.
But, tomorrow starts early – we have to get our credentials every day at our delegation breakfast to get into the Pepsi Center for the sessions. There’s all kinds of receptions, forums, and parties to go to before and after each session. So, that’s it for now. Thanks for reading!
Below are some of the few pictures I’ve taken so far. I fully expect a lot more tomorrow showing a lot more convention activity.
Welcome reception for the North Carolina Delegation.
I thought today would be simple – travel, go to the welcome reception, go to bed. Oh no.
I am staying at the Doubletree Denver Tech which is pretty far south of downtown. North Carolina is staying here along with Kansas. The Raleigh law firm Parker, Poe, Adams and Bernstein sponsored a welcome reception for both states that included an open bar, ice cream bar and other small food. I got to the hotel after it started, so I quickly changed and headed down to it.
While there I talked with Dr. Beth Jones, Chair of Caldwell County and Jim Morgan, Chair of New Hanover County (who I knew from my time at UNCW). I saw a number of other folks and mingled around with them for a good while. Then, I was walking while texting and bumped into a volunteer from Kansas, Chris. He’s in town to help with security, etc. downtown at the convention site. He’s also much more social than me and somehow convinced me to go with him downtown to where he thought were some parties and bars.
After getting a nice but unexpected tour of downtown, we found a few places, one of which, I think, was sponsored by the Young Democrats of America. Congressman Kendrick Meek of Florida and the YDA President both spoke while we were there, but mostly we just met folks. I fully expect that if I hang around Chris for the week, I’ll have a lot more on my plate than originally planned.
But, tomorrow starts early – we have to get our credentials every day at our delegation breakfast to get into the Pepsi Center for the sessions. There’s all kinds of receptions, forums, and parties to go to before and after each session. So, that’s it for now. Thanks for reading!
Below are some of the few pictures I’ve taken so far. I fully expect a lot more tomorrow showing a lot more convention activity.
Welcome reception for the North Carolina Delegation.
Dr. Beth Jones, Chairwoman of the Caldwell County Democratic Party
Jim Morgan, Chairman of the New Hanover County Democratic Party
Young Democrats event downtown
Just coming into Denver. We had to go west to come around some pretty rough storms that were to the south.
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