The Convention Begins

Traffic was very heavy on Monday on the road to the Pepsi Center, site of the actual convention. The LRT trains that run near the 25K seat auditorium are cancelled during the convention. Vehicle access is very limited. On the ride over I saw a few individual protesters. My fave was a man standing up through the sunroof of a Hummer with a “Clinton/McCain” sign.

We’ll see what how the Clinton thing plays out tonight when Hillary addresses the convention. Though I see evidence of her support, I really don’t see any of this heated rivalry the press is pushing. I thought I might be missing something, so I checked with some of the Clinton folks. Their sense is that it is being overplayed in the press.

The shuttle buses to the convention were routed around the auditorium. Clearly this is some kind of perimeter control. We drove a half circle around about two miles long. Our credentials are checked as we board and there is a uniformed officer doing control.

We exit the bus and walk about four blocks to security tents. Our bags are x-rayed and we walk through metal detectors. We can’t bring liquids, blades or pretty much anything you can’t take on a plane. The security screening is quick and pretty easy.

The arena is a hive of activity. It’s buzzing like a major sports event. There are food vendors, merchandisers, information tables and thousands of people. I find out gate and enter the convention hall. It is large and kind of glam. There is the constant dull roar of people talking.

I walked in just as Howard Dean introduced Nancy Pelosi, permanent chair of the convention. She is all about unity and working to elected democrats and, especially a “working majority” (i.e. veto proof) in the Senate.

Delegations are seated in intentional places in the hall. For example Iowa, which in many ways kicked off Obama’s nomination victory, is right up front. Illinois, too. Minnesota’s seats are pretty good. We are just above the main floor and right behind the CNN stage. The CNN talent faces us so we can watch them live like they are on stage.

Convention committee chairs are introduced and give reports. The platform report is adopted on a voice vote. Speakers parade across the stage in a well orchestrated pageantry. Throughout the evening it seems like practically every elected official in Illinois comes out to give Sen. Obama a character reference.

We had been instructed to be in our seats by 5:30 when Sen. Klobuchar would address the convention. I heard that when she spoke at the last convention they were so few delegates in the MN section that Pennsylvania delegates were brought in to make sure it would be full when the cameras panned. No problems like that this year. The delegation stood throughout her speech and we were LOUD.

Almost as soon as she was done the local MN media came through for reactions for the delegation. It is really amazing how much media attention a delegate gets. Practically everyone has done interviews for a range of local, national and international media.

It’s amazing how many big deal politicos and celebs are moving around on the floor. I got my picture taken with Madeline Albright. Most of the high profile stuff like Michlle’s speech and the Kennedy tribute were widely covered in the media, so I will avoid going over familiar territory.
One thing that is hard to describe is the feeling inside the hall. To say it was electric doesn’t do it. The feeling is of palpable excitement, like you could just reach out and touch it. It surprised me that I haven’t ever had this described to me before. It was like swimming in excitement.

People loved the Carter film and looked forward to his remarks. It was kind of a letdown when he and Rosalyn just did a lap around the stage with no speech.

The Kennedy tribute was riveting – truly a privilege to be there to experience it. When the film started only Anderson Cooper (cuter in person) turned around to watch it. Donna Brasile was fiddling with her papers for about the first third of the film before she too turned around to watch. By the end all of the CNN reporters were turned toward the stage. They all joined the crowd in the standing ovation that greeted Senator Kennedy’s entrance.

What impressed me most about his speech was what seemed to move him the most. He talked about his brothers and his career without any great show of emotion. He seemed really moved when he spoke of what was left to be done; universal health care, empowering all people, renewing the nation. It’s refreshing that a man who went to DC when I was two years old can still keep it about the peeps.

It’s hard to describe the effect Michelle Obama had on the crowd. It was like a hyper form of relief. It was as if tens of thousands of people simultaneously exuded intense satisfaction. It was like together we felt, “yes, this woman should be our First Lady. That would help make us happy.” It was cool.

The coordination on the convention floor was impressive. New campaign signs were delivered throughout the hall to support the shifting message of the evening. “HOPE” “Change we can believe in””One Nation””Kennedy””Michelle” signs were passed out quickly and efficiently.

During the Kennedy tribute and the Michelle speech I was seated directly in front of a row of MN political dignitaries; Sen. Klobuchar, VP Mondale and others. It was great to hear their take on the show on stage. Though they commented with seasoned, professional eyes there was nothing jaded about it.

Getting out of the arena was well organized, but time consuming. Busses were line up and we were directed by volunteers. I had several interesting and meaningful conversations en route with my fellow delegates.

I avoided the party circuit. Being a delegate is too exhausting to party hearty. Several of us stopped in the hotel bar to unwind and debrief. I met a very young man from Las Angeles named Jesus. He is in Denver at his own expense (a $1,200 trip for him) to be a volunteer for the convention. Like a lot of people here, he wanted to be where history is being made.