Closing Time

So our week is now coming to a close. Today marked the last big event before we leave tomorrow for good old New Hampshire. What an event it was because it was Obama’s big day to accept his nomination. Logan and I got there pretty early with our shiny press passes; ready to get in there and do what we do best. Well we got off the train a mile away from the stadium where the event was being held…which coincidentally was how long the line was. Literally. The line was ridiculous and it was getting longer by the second. After an hour Logan and I realized that our press passes let us skip over the line and get in, so we were pretty stoked. It felt pretty V.I.P. To walk past all the chumps waiting in line. We got there a bit before the entertainment started, which included everything from Sheryl Crow to an olympic gold medalist saying the pledge of allegiance.

Most all the speeches were boring, although I loved hearing from Martin Luther King’s daughter and son. The democrats seemed to be trying to compare Obama`to MLK a lot, but I can see the similarities so I didn’t mind that. After a while I learned that my pass could actually get me on the FLOOR of the convention, which was awesome. I spent hours rubbing shoulders with media big wigs and getting some sweet pictures and video.

The whole stadium went nuts when Obama finally came on stage. After a whole week of having people sing his praises and suck up to him I figured he would come off egotistical. His speech was really moving though, the guy has a knack for moving a crowd with sincerity and emotion. I agreed with almost every point he made, which is odd. I also liked how he emphasized his respect for Mccain even though he disagreed with his ideas.

After the speech it took me forever to find the rest of my group through the crowd. We then went to our usual restaurant for the last time before our plane ride to end our trip right. While I was there one of the waitresses complimented my outfit. Chicks dig green vests.

I like green. Can you tell?

 

On a side note, I thought this was really funny for an event that focused on environmental friendliness

-Robbie Michaelson

Come To My Window

This week has sure flown by. Already done with day 3! We started the day off by figuring out the schedule for the night. We arranged for me and Robbie to go in from 7-9. This allowed us time to go to our new traditional lunch spot. “Old Chicago” is a great restaurant located right outside of the Pepsi Center. Our waiter Corey was very welcoming and we sure enjoyed him. Robbie even made a point to get pictures with him!

 Once we got into the center, we were very disappointed by our opportunities to get on the floor…or should I say lack there of. We walked all the way to the blogging room in which you can exchange your hall pass for a 30 minute trip to the floor. Once we got there; however, we were told that not only were they all out of the floor passes for the time being, but the floor had been closed for the night.

 

Robbie and I still went up to use our hall passes, which would have been great…had there have been any open seats. Robbie and I had no where to go except walk around the center. All hope was lost when suddenly, I noticed Melissa Etheridge! Now, words can not describe how excited I was to see her. I was speechless! Ever since I was about the age of six, I had listened to her song “Come to My Window” over and over again. I only had a quick moment to speak to her, but it w as great to hear her enthusiasm towards the Democratic National Convention!

Today was another great and eventful day! Can’t wait to see what lies in tomorrow!

-Steph Lewis

Day 3 Begins

Here I am, two and a half hours before the third call to order of this years Democratic National Convention.  Sitting in the same seat as I was last night, check out the video on Youtube to see my view.  Right now Melissa Etheridge is on stage practicing for her performance tonight.  This morning I was at the New Hampshire delegate breakfast.  I interviewed Congresswomen Carol Shea Porter and Obama campaign co-chair Jim Demers.  They were both very nice

On to the news of the evening, Day two was a busy day in the convention hall, we heard from governors, senators and congressmen/women.  All of them had one general message, the need for change.  Hillary Clinton was the headline speaker, coming out in full force for Obama.  Her speech aimed to convert the very last Hillary supporters to Obama’s side.  I spoke with New Hampshire Democrats chairman Raymond Buckley about Clinton’s speech:

Tonight, day three of the Denver DNC is a little over two hours from starting.  Tonights speakers are to include: House speaker Nancy Pelosi, New Hampshire’s own Jean Shaheen, West Virginia senator Jay Rockefeller, Senate majority leader Harry Reid (interview on youtube.com/politicsfitzu), Former President Bill Clinton, Massachusetts’s Senator John Kerry, New Mexico  governor Bill Richardson and Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden.  Its expected to be a lot bigger than yesterday’s lineup. 

This morning our reporters Tanner Acebo and Logan Mack went out to a Michelle Obama event.

-Derek Gorman

Shot In The Leg

So apparently some sort of higher power did NOT want me on the floor tonight. I was going to get my credentials to get on the floor in the main area so I could get some coverage for a story, but life had other plans. I waited in line in press room for quite a time until finally I reached the desk where they were handing out passes to get on the floor. Well right before I go that pass in my hot little hand, a security guy comes over and informs the people in line that the floor is closed off to any more reporters .So basically I waited in line for nothing and I was none too happy.

I was stuck in this room...hating my life

Life decided to cheer me up as we headed over to the Skye Lounge to see Dennis Kucinich speak. We took a cab over and the cab driver was a very nice young gentleman. He told us he had been working as a cab driver for 10 years and that the convention gives him a lot of business. I asked him what his craziest moment in cab driving was and I got quite the answer. He told us that he had been robbed 2 years back and was shot in the leg when he chased after the criminal. He also told us about how a couple paid him 300 dollars to allow them some “freedom” in the back of the car (if you know what I mean).

After a pleasant conversation with the cab driver we arrived at the bar where Dennis was set to arrive. The bar area filled up pretty fast as eager citizens awaited the arrival of Kucinich. He arrived shortly after we got there and the room exploded in support of the democrat. I got to ask him a few questions about his earlier speech and his support of Barack Obama.

 

The whole room was captivated by Dennis, I was captivated by his wife Elizabeth (if you know what I mean). Overall I was impressed by the event and was glad we rushed over to attend. After yet another long day it is time to prepare for the next.

 

One day we can be together Elizabeth...one day...

 -Robbie Michaelson

Bright and Early

Bright and Early

Well here we are, two days down, two to go.  Last night Hillary Clinton spoke to a roaring Pepsi Center. The goal of her speech was unity and to unify the democratic party.  An onlooking Bill Clinton looked quite happy with his wife.  The messages were generally the same as the other speeches, but they were delivered in that Hillary Clinton manner. 

On the bill for last night was Franklin Pierce Law Center’s very own John Hutson, but for some reason he did not make an appearance.  A source has told me he was rescheduled for tonight.  I have not looked at the speakers schedule yet, but as soon as I see it I will post another blog to let everyone know.

Last night I caught up with the chair to the NH democratic party Raymond Buckley.  I asked him about Hillary’s speech and how it would affect the election.

This morning I am at the New Hampshire delegate breakfast, I just interviewed Congresswomen Carole Shea Porter of New Hampshire.  We discussed the convention, Hillary’s speech and the New Hampshire delegation.

Tonight I plan on being at the Pepsi Center real early. 

-Derek Gorman

Mitt Romney At The DNC

I made it a goal to discuss Mitt Romney being in Denver.  Tanner Acebo caught up to him, and to the NH delegation to discuss the issue.

-Derek Gorman

Police Presence

At least a few residents share common ground with some of the protesters in Denver for the Democratic National Convention.  They all think the police presence in downtown Denver is being overdone.

 

Matthew Williams, a self-professed anarchist, likened the number of police around the city to martial law conditions.  “I wonder why the DNC is allowing a police state?” he asked. Williams had hitchhiked from Mississippi for the event.

 

Karen Sadwith, a Denver resident since 1974 and the mother of a teenage son, agreed.  “There’s a policeman on every corner,” she said.

 

“I worry about all the police,” Sadwith said while walking with her husband and son near Union Station on a breezy evening.  “Denver always over-reacts.  Maybe it’s like this in any big city, but Denver always over-reacts.”

 

The police presence includes what appear to be Ford Expeditions.  However, it’s hard to be sure of the white vehicles’ make because four police in riot gear stand on running boards on each side, while another three on a running board on the back hold onto straps.  Inside, past the tinted windows, the seats are presumably filled with more officers.

 

Tuesday afternoon a double column of police in riot gear marched along city sidewalks, marching in the direction of the Pepsi Center, where the convention is being held.  They were decked out in what appears to be standard issue for many of the front line police here: riot helmets with full face shields, gas masks, batons, and various other gear, including thick, blue-green plastic ties that serve as handcuffs.  Two of the officers were women.  Two others carried what appeared to be tear gas rifles.

 

Earlier in the day, ten mounted policemen rode towards downtown.  Their horses each had clear plastic visors covering their eyes.

 

Despite their noserings and numerous tattoos, Williams and another demonstrator shared a philosophy that is not alien to New Hampshire citizens.  A fellow demonstrator, Jasmine Turner, who had hitchhiked from California for the convention, explained their shared political outlook.  “We should all be able to choose what we want and when we want it and why we want it,” Turner said.

 

Even though the two had first attracted the attention of several journalists when they asked, “Which one of us is dirtier?” they both were polite and earnest.  Without their nose rings and Williams’ shock of dyed hair hanging over his forehead – and with a shower – they could have both passed for any of the other young interns and volunteers who are attending the convention.

 

-Professor Paul Bush

Wake Up America!

Eric and I rushed into the convention hall today to try and get credentials to get on the floor the the convention. Being unable to do so, we proceeded to get some seats to watch some Democrats praise Obama some more. Now that we are a couple days in it seems as if people are just repeating themselves over and over. Basically the whole convention so far can be condensed into the following words and phrases:

• Hope

• Change

• Eight Years of Bush/Cheney

• Four more years of the same

• Dream

• Barack Obama

 

Every speech seems to be a mixture of these phrases. Once in a while a lame joke was thrown in for good measure, but besides that it was more of the same. One democrat who really gave a compelling speech was Dennis Kucinich. For such a small guy he really knows how to make his presence known in the hall. He pumped up the audience with a unique delivery of how he wants to see America improved. “Wake up America!” he shouted as he listed the problems our country is facing and the changes needed to remedy them. It was the first speech I heard that gave me a tingle down my spine and the first speech where I had no choice but to give a round of applause. I had never really paid much attention to Kucinich before, but after seeing him in person I think I’ll make it a point to learn more about him.

-Robbie Michaelson

The First Night

            The Pepsi Center in Denver last night was almost unrecognizable as the place the Denver Nuggets play basketball.  From the cheap seats, high up in the arena, the floor and the lower levels looked like a sea of closely packed delegates.

 

            While the evening’s activities were carefully scripted, the delegates’ enthusiasm was genuine.  When they waved placards or cheered they did so because they seemed genuinely excited to be part of the Democratic National Convention.

 

            That the evening was carefully planned was evident in the giant teleprompter, just behind the Virginia delegation.  Guests in the galleries on the podium side of the arena could read along as speeches were made.  A large red timer counted down the seconds of each speaker’s allotted time.  Michelle Obama got 21 minutes, and at times she seemed to be trying to make up the time lost to the delegates’ long, loud cheering that greeted her.  Her brother, Craig, had six minutes to introduce her.

 

            When Michelle Obama finished, not only the delegates, but the thousands of guests in the many galleries that rise to the eaves of the center, spontaneously stood to give her a standing ovation.

 

            At times earlier in the evening, a dull rumble of people talking seemed to indicate that few were paying attention to the many speakers.  This appeared particularly true of Candi Schmieder, a largely unknown precinct captain who had been chosen to speak.  However, when Schmieder said that she had decided to go to college, the applause was sudden and widespread.

 

            The tightly choreographed lighting made the convention floor look as dramatic in real life as it did on television.  One thing that may not have been evident to viewers at home was how much a physical presence the press was in the hall.  The skyboxes around the arena had been converted into open studios for Fox, CBS and other organizations.  The anchors all sat with their backs to the convention, facing their cameras, using the convention and the speakers’ podium as a backdrop for their programs.

 

Closer to the floor, less prestigious news outfits filled two tiers of open boxes.  The on-air talent stood almost shoulder to shoulder against the waist-high front walls, again with their backs to the hall doing stand-ups before their closely packed cameras.

 

Several news organizations even had mini-stages right on the convention floor.  Wolf Blitzer and four panelists were visible at the largest one on the arena’s right side must have blocked the view of several rows of the California delegation. 

 

At some point in Michelle Obama’s speech, a change was visible.  The anchors in the sky boxes – in an almost unbroken line around the arena – had turned around in their chairs.  Down below in the two tiers of open boxes, the reporters were leaning on the front walls, this time looking towards the podium.

 

Down in the floor stages the panelists continued facing the cameras.

 

-Professor Paul Bush

The First Hour

The first hour of tonights convention has already had a clear message.  It’s the same buzz word we always hear, change.  Beyond that though, the democrats are thinking back, to the days of our founding fathers and hard times.  The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton spoke of “no taxation without representation,” and Ted Sorenson talking of the days of John F. Kennedy. Sorenson compared Obama with Kennedy, telling a story of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The dems have no problem badmouthing the republicans and their past eight years in the White House.  Issues that have already come up include: the war in Iraq, education, healthcare and energy. 

The theme is playing out.  The speakers are tying Obama to America’s promise to it’s citizens. The speakers are aiming for the middle class and to connect Obama’s policies to the struggling Americans.

We are currently on break, will return with the second portion as soon as the convention starts up again.

-Derek Gorman