McCain's "no-choice" choice

I certainly did not expect to add yet another post today... Thought you all might have had enough. But as my plane was coming to its Cleveland gate, my email was filled with inquires about what I thought about McCain's VP choice and did I think the PUMA people would line up for McCain.

First, I'm flattered at the question. And since you asked, here goes-with this caveat:

I am not the "Hillary Clinton supporters" spokesperson. 

That said, the Hillary supporters I know are all lined up behind Obama: 100%. We know the first order of business is TO WIN! and John McCain in the White House is no way to advance the women's agenda. For Ms. Palin: Just having breasts is not quite enough of a qualification.

So in spite of the talking heads, IMHO: I don't think the Alaska Governor will de-rail Barack Obama except that McCain will probably get Alaska's 3 electoral votes. 

the BIG day

The BIG Day

the endless line

The HUGE crowd

 

The BIG CheersI

Ohio's delegation met for our usual morning briefing that included a Memorial Tribute to Stephanie Tubbs-Jones. As you might imagine, all Ohio's elected officials paid tribute to Stephanie (Governor Strickland, Senator Brown, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunning, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Refern, and a lot of other people too (this was a 1 hour tribute). 

The remainder of the day was dedicated to getting to and into Invesco Field. No matter what you saw on TV, this was an enormous event. I heard $50 million along for security. And I believe it. Today's security was miles beyond what we had seen on prior days. 

First, to realize: Unlike the Pepsi Center, Invesco Field was not that accessible by foot. And even by vehicle, not so easy. A majority of the main roads to Invesco Field were closed. 

For me, this day was both exhilarating and exhausting.

First: Exhilarating.

Another Sparkling Denver day eliminated the weather worries. Lana and I went to lunch with all leaders of the Women's Movement including: Ellie Smeal, President. Feminist Majority, who sat with Joe Biden during the Clinton Speech and Kathy Spillar, Executive Editor Ms. Magazine.

The restaurant was very close to Invesco Field so we all felt very "safe" that we had plenty of time to avoid a rush. 

I was the first to leave. And as soon as I walked into the adjacent parking lot, I was stunned. As far as I could see, there was a winding line of thousands of people waiting to clear the credential check point. Dozens of Denver volunteers were trying to manage the crowd which-over all-was very controlled and patient. I was told that my "delegate badge" did not qualify me to "jump to the head of the line" and in no uncertain terms I was to "go to the end" (I couldn't even see the end of that line!) Long story short: I marched myself to the front of the line, declared I had a delegate credential and still the volunteer started pointing me in the "end of the line" direction while saying, "You'll have to speak with the Secret Service". I did and was ushered right through the "credential check".

"Ahh", you may say, "she got in." Not so fast! From there, I had about another mile of a winding and uphill trek to the 2nd security check point. 

FInally, at 3.30 pm I got to the seat my friend Judi Wolf was saving. 

All the speeches and pagent you saw on TV, need no comment from me. The crowd was HUGE and showed their love throughout the day and evening.

GETTING OUT: one word: Nightmare.

Almost 90,000 people leaving at the same time was wild. There were dozens of buses for people w/a credential but there were 10,000 of us and the buses were jammed. There was NO organization at all. Finally, on a bus that sat in the parking lot for another hour (!), I returned to my hotel 2 hours after leaving my seat in Invesco Field.

Today was not a day for the faint of heart!

Everyone Makes Nice

By the end of Bill Clinton's speech- the feeling-for the first time this week-really felt UNIFED. When Bill Clinton came to the stage, the hall erupted in a huge, long and wildly ecstatic! and roar would not stop. If you were watching TV, you could see The President trying to calm the crowd-but to no avail. I think everyone was happy to be happy! (Plus, he clearly loved the love coming his way!) 

The choreographed nomination of Barack Obama, with the NY Delegation escorting Hillary into the hall and Hillary's gracious nomination completing the nominating process was brilliant. Again, everyone seemed really happy-everyone until we left the Pepsi Center and encountered a woman from Maryland being interviewed by John Oliver of Jon Stewart's The Daily Show. At first I thought she was an "act", but, no, she was clearly not happy and kept declaring she was voting for McCain. It was fun to watch the Daily Show people in action-but not so much fun hearing this lady.

There is a group called PUMA (Party Unity My Ass) that is supposedly composed of unhappy Clinton supporters saying they will vote McCain--but there are rumors that PUMA is being financed by the Republicans. Whoever they are, they have been demonstrating all week...right along side of the Falon Gong, the anti-abortion people with their dead baby photos and the evangelicals shouting at all passers-by that all women are going to burn for eternity in hell if we don't "submit to men" and accept Jesus. 

Armed with a precious ticket to Joe Biden's after party, we arrived at the Denver Convention Center to find "really delicious food" and since we were starving we were doubly happy.  All the B-I-G Obama fundraisers-led by Penny Pritzker-were there trying to be nice to the newly enfranchised Clinton people. It was like being the new "in laws"  and coming into a huge, happy family that was getting along fine without you, thank you very much! 

While this has been an amazing week, attending a national political convention requires considerable physical fitness, endurance and courage! This is not a sport for the faint of heart! But, nevertheless,  definitely a sport! 

More photos

Once again-another sparkling Denver marathon day or more like a marathon Pep Rally! 

Pictures today. Words in the morning...

Police lookout on roof of Pepsi Center

Recharging-literally-in Lexus Lounge

The thrill of Bill Clinton (can we elect him again?)

Tom Brokow giving me a little wink!

Lots of Buttons...

The friendly police posed...

Judi Wolf and Me sharing the excitement

Random Musings

• Ohio Lieutenant Governor Lee FIsher's son Jason produced the movie "Swing State" -the story of Ohio's 2006 Governor's election. As I have written, this is convention of go-go-go...but at yesterday's screening, over 200 people sat still AND quiet for 90 minutes. You could hear a pin drop and these people are talkers!! Take a look and if you have the chance, don't miss it! inthezoneproductions.net

• Police are everywhere and now-on horseback, too!

• When they say this is a green convo, they mean it. The hotel keys are made of biodegradable wood and our hotel room has two waste baskets: Trash and Recycle! On every block, there are recycle centers--collecting on-the-go-trash and giving you a pin to prove it! Kinda like the election day "I voted" sticker!

• Yesterday, I arrived at the Pepsi Center at 3pm with my friends Judi and Marshall Wolf, where, armed with a "better" ticket--a result of good networking :)--I secured a great seat with a clear and unobstructed view! 

• More good networking: Got a ticket into the Lexus Lounge! No cars, but food, drink and a great view of Denver and the mountains PLUS an outdoor terrace where-after so long being indoors, the air was delicious!

• With the death of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, there is a LOTTA huddling about who will support who for her vacant seat. As I sit here in a hotel lobby writing this blog, there are two Ohio state legislators (talking too loud) one lobby the other for her support!! It's a riot. They are just chatting away...who supported who and when....and I am just sitting here looking at my little laptop screen! Hah!

• More Stephanie: Stephanie's funeral will be Saturday at Cleveland's Public Auditorium. Expected attendance will be: M/M Clinton, M/M Obama, M/M Bidens, Prez GW Bush, and probably half the Congress of the United States. It will be amazing...hope it doesn't rain!

• After the Funeral, the Obamas and Bidens will begin their mid-west bus tour. 

gotta go....

Endurance Contest

From TV and newspaper reports, you may think this is a gentle week of Democrats meeting to select their Presidential Candidate. But truth in fact, this is a grueling endurance contest of back to back to back events with everyone jockeying for credentials and position!

In the meantime, it is easy to strike up friendly conversations, meeting new people with interesting life stories.

With little sleep and lots of coffee, I am wired for another day!

A picture is worth a thousand words.

After 4 non-stop days, I don't have any words...let the photos speak for themselves

s.

The three main Convention venues: Convention Center (front left) , Pepsi Center (mid-center) and Invesco Field (back left).

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and me

Lots of police...

CNN Headquarters

Dennis Eckhart

Hillary comes to the podium

McCain supporters joining our fun.

More Police