MediaBlvd was lucky enough to get a chance to attend and cover the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.  Though the magazine is generally an online entertainment and pop-culture magazine, it can be argued that this campaign, more than any other in history, crosses the boundary into pop culture, and that is going beyond even McCain’s assertions that Obama is the world’s biggest celebrity in recent ads.  And he really does seem to be that, but maybe not quite in the way that it was intended to be taken.

MediaBlvd could have covered the convention in the far outside the Pepsi Center Blogger world in it’s own right, though since the magazine is very involved in the ShaunOMac radio shows we  got the chance to go way inside with Shaun, working the technical side of his live shows, and press coverage of the event for BlogTalk Radio. 

MediaBlvd Magazine has never really embraced the blogger format before, but we will for this feature, giving impressions of the convention and photo commentary of this event, in reverse time order as they were written for each of the days.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

A Night With The Biggest Celebrity In the World

It was a night like no other.  As the fireworks were going off in the air above the stadium with 85,000 screaming supporters/(fans?) and as the confetti and streamers were flying though the air, I looked up at Barack Obama, Joe Biden and their wives who had come out to the edge of the stage, and remember thinking that Obama looked presidential.  In some ways, the entire election and certainly the week had built to that point, and it was as though the election was now but a little more than a formality, which was the impression that the campaign has been working so hard to cultivate.  As we left the stadium a few minutes later, and were whisked away on the busses along with other media and some of the delegates it was a surreal experience to see the interstate closed out of the busses window.  Some 50 snow plow trucks had been placed towards facing traffic with their blades raised to close the highway.  The effect of seeing that was almost as electrifying as the speech itself had been earlier in the evening, and gave further merit to the idea that this was truly a once in a life time event to not be missed.

Music was playing loudly as I came out onto the lower concourse, and it wasn’t until I’d walked about a quarter of the perimeter of the stadium that I realized it was Stevie Wonder warming up for his later performance.  The stadium was already buzzing with media, DNC representatives and volunteers of every sort who would later help with various aspects of the day.

Down in the press area, the work space was much smaller than the converted practice court at the Pepsi Center, and it was difficult to find an internet connection, which meant having to occupy the space or risk loosing it.  Shaun and I took turns going out to the field and guarding our connections, and it was impressive as the crowds slowly started filing in to see how dramatically different it was every half hour or so when I ventured out.  I was struck by the wide variety and diversity of people.  The stadium was filled with people of every race and manner of dress from the ultra conservative three piece suit wearing gentleman to punked out and pierced teens. I suppose it was because of security, but the stadium did not fill nearly as quickly as it does for a football game.  And while signs throughout the city, and in every publications had warned the public that they had to be in the stadium and seated prior to the official convention start at 3:15 PM, the stands were still pretty empty in some areas throughout the early evening.

The atmosphere shifted between that of a music festival or rock concert, and political rally.  Jennifer Hudson kicked off the events with her beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, and was followed by other performances through out the early evening, including a live performance of the YouTube sensation, Yes, We Can by Will I Am.  Sheryl Crow also performed several sets, and Stevie Wonder was the highlight of the musical guests. 

On the political side, Al Gore’s appearance was the most anticipated and thought provoking in the pre-dusk hours.  “Eight years ago, some said there was not much difference between the nominees of the two major parties and it didn't really matter who became president. Our nation was enjoying peace and prosperity, and some assumed we would continue both, no matter the outcome.  But here we all are in 2008, and I doubt anyone would argue now that election didn't matter,” he said.   His celebrity within the party has been greatly bolstered over the last few years, and his speech was possibly weighted heavier than that of Bill Clinton, though maybe not as eventful in the final consideration.

As dusk began, the whole tone of the day’s celebration began to shift.  Senator Durbin from Illinois came to the podium and spoke for a few minutes about Obama, then introduced a video which played on the massive screens throughout the stands, and on smaller plasma screens spread through out the concourse areas.  The video showed the history and rise to the national stage of Barack Obama.  Finally, and as it was completely dark, Obama himself walked out on to the stage amid thunderous applause from the now completely filled stadium.

The speech itself was amazing, as has become the trademark of the Presidential nominee.  He accepted the nomination, then began ticking off a list of all of the issues that face the American people and how he would deal with them.  The list was certainly noteworthy, and no one in the audience could realistically think that these weren’t important.  The cost of doing everything, as well as even the possibility of one single man driving a force for change of that magnitude seems overwhelmingly daunting, but it was a magnificent speech, and it seems good that those issues are being thought about, when it has seemed to many like they have been ignored previously. “These challenges are not all of government's making. But the failure to respond is a direct result of a broken politics in Washington and the failed policies of George W. Bush,” he said.  One of the most audacious promises concerns foreign energy.  “And for the sake of our economy, our security, and the future of our planet, I will set a clear goal as president: In 10 years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East,” Obama said.  There were many other moments in the speech that were worth mentioning, but other media outlets did that in real time, and have analyzed them to an extreme.  Those were too moments in real time that were striking.

Finally the speech ended, and almost immediately rockets began launching into the sky from the upper tiers of the stadium, and finally from the columns of the stage itself.  These were followed by red white and blue streamers and confetti as first Joe Biden, then Michelle and Mrs. Biden joined him on the stage, shortly thereafter joined by their entire families.  One significant element missing was the rest of the democratic family.  There was no hand raising moment with Hillary joining the candidate on the stage, which would have gone a long way towards completing the healing.

The Healing Begins

The streets of Denver were rolling in turmoil today, as Rage Against the Machine appeared at the Denver Coliseum for a daytime concert. A few blocks away on the 16^th street mall, the Puma’s marched and chanted “This is what Democracy looks like”.  The Republican’s staged their own demonstrations with signs on the streets for McCain, and with red, white, and blue signs with pictures of Obama saying, “He is Not Ready”. But the largest event among the protestors was that run by the Iraqi Veterans group who were evident everywhere on the streets.  Later in the day, news broke that a mob of 2000 were marching towards the Pepsi Center, fired up by the concert, and coming with a vengeance.  Though the demonstrations were somewhat benign in the end, and an agreement was reached in which a representative of candidate Obama would meet with them.  Also, the protesters were hemmed in which caused concern throughout the morning.  Fences were put up around the gathering place in preparation for the upcoming Taste of Colorado event in the same park where the groups were gathering.

A change, subtle at first came about in the convention hall today, and healing began.  Today was historical, if for no other reason than it began the healing of a fractured party.  The official convention opened with a role call vote of nominations for the presidency, and moving speeches were given for both candidates.  As the down the list role call progressed with each state pointing out their individual special attributes, something special happened when Kansas came up for their vote.  Kansas passed and deferred to Illinois.  In turn, Illinois deferred to New York.  Then, with a whole lot of activity, Senator Clinton suddenly appeared on the floor.  In short order, she moved that the convention declare Obama the nominee by acclamation. 

That was big.  And on the news, was superimposed with pictures of Obama landing in Denver, and news reports of the crowd of protesters moving towards the Pepsi Center.

Once the nights speeches started, all anticipation was on Bill Clinton and Vice Presidential nominee, Joe Biden.  Evan Bayh and John Kerry were buried in the anticipation, and Bill Richardson did not appear, though his speech was distributed at the press tables.  The prevailing rumor is that he must be going to speak on Thursday, maybe even as the keynote speaker to introduce Obama.

Bill Clinton finally spoke, and put aside the perceived slights to his wife.  He knocked a home run hit in terms of bringing the party together and giving his support to Obama.  He reminded the crowd that 16 years ago the Republicans said he was too young and too experienced to be Commander in Chief.  Interestingly, the cameras kept focusing on Michelle Obama, and she was not happy at first.  She, along with the crowd warmed to Bill Clinton though as he endorsed and embraced Obama. In this speech, Bill completed the cycle that Hillary had begun the night before.  And by endorsing Obama unequivocally, he brought the healing full circle.  This was almost a choreographed event in the grace in which it was done, and Bill Clinton reminded the assembled masses of what it was like to have a Democratic president.

The big event of the night was of course, Joe Biden.  Introduced by his son, the attorney general of Delaware, who reminded the crowd of the tragedy that was Joe’s entry into the senate when his wife and daughter died a week before Christmas, Beau drove it home.  Biden’s acceptance speech began with him saying he loved his son.

Biden healed a lot of wounds also, and graciously gave kudos to Hillary and Bill.  He also acknowledged his friendship with John McCain, and cast the differences well between McCain and Obama.  His speech was nearly perfect for the night, and he assumed the mantle of Vice President candidate, and laid to rest many of the questions that had been raised.  If anything, he looked maybe too presidential himself, though his own votes in the Iowa caucuses were inconsequential.  At the end, he was joined by his wife on the stage, who introduced Barack Obama, who came onto the stage.  Obama recognized the Clintons, thus taking the healing a step further.  Finally, the Biden family appeared on the stage with the candidate.

Hillary’s Speech

The night finally came to it’s anticipated climax with a video about Hillary’s life, and an introduction by daughter Chelsea.  Hillary went the extra mile calling for party unity, and endorsing Barack Obama in no uncertain terms.  Interestingly, though she did everything possible to say that she was in his camp, and that she needed party unity and a democratic president to justify her 35 years in the trenches, some thought she didn’t go far enough.  A frequent opinion voiced in the after interviews was that she maybe didn’t do all that she could have to help Obama win, and some cynics among the media and delegates referred to her speech as the “lesser of two evils” rather than an outright endorsement.

Unfortunately perhaps for the party, Clinton’s speech pointed out so many of her strengths that again begged the question of why she was not the nominee for either slot on the ticket.  Most pointedly though, even though she endorsed Obama in no uncertain terms, one truly has to wonder what exactly was going on with Obama that he would not consider her for the role of partner and vice president.  Joe Biden now, even more than before, has to deliver one hell of a speech to convince the Hillary supporters why he deserves the role of VP more than Senator Clinton. 

Hillary gave appropriate nods to her great friend Biden, and also spoke about the emotional speech that Michelle Obama gave the previous night in glowing terms.  The ultimate question though, has to be asked.  If Obama can not reach across the aisle in his own party, how can anyone believe that there is even a possibility that he will be able to reach across the aisle to the Republicans, let alone deal with foreign leaders.  Though now Biden will be there to advise him in that respect.  While Hillary began the healing process maybe, I thought it pointed out more clearly that the party is made of two camps who are both resentful of the other, and not yet together.

Hillary gave homage to both Arkansas Democratic Party Chair Bill Gwatney who was murdered last week, and to Stephanie Tubbs Jones, a fighter of uncommon grace who sadly died last week, and did not get to see this speech.  Tubb’s family set with President Clinton during Hillary’s speech.

Former Governor Mark Warner, and current candidate for the Senate presented the keynote address of the convention.  Early news media reports said that some were disappointed in that choice because of his refusal to attack the Republicans, and commented on his bi-partisanship and need to work with Republicans in Virginia.  The cell phone magnate gave a rousing speech, in which his most emotional point was most likely his assertion of the humility he felt holding the office once held by Thomas Jefferson, the founder of the party.  But his speech focused on the notion that this was a race for the future and not about a presidential race.  His speech was a highlight of the night, and if Senator Clinton wasn’t scheduled after (a fact he noted) he would be the news story of tomorrow.  He did a great job for his party.

Senator Casey’s Speech

At the convention, the atmosphere was obviously one of anticipation for Hillary Clinton’s speech, and what she would say was on the minds both of her supporters, and Obama’s supporters.  In the lead up Senator Bob Casey gave a speech, which had two main points; Barack is one of us, and Joe Biden is from Pennsylvania. In his speech Casey frequently invoked the memory of his father, Governor Casey.  PBS is reporting that the reason Governor Casey was not allowed to speak at the ’92 convention is that he wanted to talk solely about abortion. Senator Casey invoked the abortion issue, calling it an honest disagreement between him, as a Roman Catholic, and Obama.  It is interesting that many pundits have noted that the disrespect he most likely feels was shown to his father was a major motivating factor for his support of Obama, but if the abortion issue was really at the forefront of that, one has to wonder how his father would feel with characterization of the issue as an honest disagreement..

The Blogger Tent

The Blogger tent run by Daily Kos and Google was very full today for the Take Back America Event.  Some bloggers did get full press credentials to come inside the Pepsi Center, but for those that didn’t Google provides a crowded but workable environment complete with power and high speed wireless connections for those who wanted to be in Denver.    For the $100 fee for the week, food is also provided.  The area, called the Big Tent is a building under construction, in which canvas walls have been placed on the outside bare metal girders.

Monday August 25, 2008

It was an emotional night as Senator Edward Kennedy took the stage, and gave a rousing speech that will be his goodbye to his party.  His speech focused on passing on the torch to the next generation.  Kennedy’s speech was the highlight of the evening, but was followed an hour later by Michelle Obama’s rousing biography of Barack, and her own family.  Michelle’s speech also gave a very profound nod to Hillary Clinton, adopting a line from her concession speech about 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling.  President Carter was listed as a speaker, but instead he only appeared on stage briefly and waved at the crowds after a video honoring him was played.

Security at the Pepsi Center was intense, with wave after wave of police officer starting many blocks out.  Uniformed secret service agents and some TSA inspectors passed delegates and media through metal detectors and x-ray machines, reminiscent of any modern airport, but without the lines.  Though at times, and later in the evening, the queue would become quite large.

Inside the Pepsi Center, press gathered on the practice court in the lower level of the arena, with TV’s surrounding the perimeter and high speed internet connections at every table.  Media floor passes were available for 30 minute stints out on the floor itself among the delegates, and the press viewing area is truly in the noise bleed section of the stands.  Though with the massive television screens, the higher decks are really almost necessary to take in the entire scene.

Pre Convention Angst

The first post-Biden poll is out and CNN shows McCain and Obama tied at 47%.  A lot of people are freaked out, but trying to down play and say Hillary supporters just need to get over it.    In general, the town seems to be overrun by, Obama do or die supporters, as is right given that he has won the right to bear the standard for the party, but there is an underlying current for Hillary.  One pin in particular seems to stand out and that is the “Hillary Supporter for Obama:”  And having others tell them “you need to get over it” is pissing them off.  Some of the Hillary supporters have been using a derogatory term for Obama’s many supporters, calling them the “Kool Aid drinkers”.  It remains to be seen if the two halves of the party can be united over the coming days.

An Evening To The Left of Left

 The evening took us to a church, which had been overtaken by the Progressive Democrats of America.  Surprise! There are those out there who think that the problem with Obama is that he is not liberal enough.  Lynn Woolsey and Tom Hayden were the speakers of honor, introduced by actress chair person of the board PDA Mimi Kennedy.  Woolsey is part of the Triad, the PDA congressional members consisting of her, Maxine Waters, and Barbara Lee.  Hayden was interesting to hear.  He talked about speaking to the local police today, and how they are mind washed into a mindset of totalitarianism, and just don’t get it.  Perhaps, among the most radically tinged comments I’ve heard yet in this whole process issued from his mouth, as he spoke about the perfect commercial he would like to see; Obama’s daughters playing on the grass, then the scene pulls back to show the Whitehouse in the background.  So the point being, vote for Obama because he is black, if for no other reason.  Or rather, that should be reason enough.  

We ate dinner at McDonalds and ran into a 21 year old delegate.  He thinks the ground forces are organized better than ever before in history.  To be 21 again and have such optimism would be great.  His major concerns are that Hillary supporters will overturn something during the roll call vote.  Sentiments run high regarding Hillary.  Lots of people are really upset.  The anti-war rallies were the highlight of the daytime, and it’s amazing to see so many police officers with full assault gear, including rifles.  The guard brigade at the Environmental Protection Agency was particularly heavy.

One of the highlights of walking through downtown Denver was finding the MSNBC pavilion, and watching Hardball with Chris Mathews being done live near Union Station.  James Clyeburne and Harold Ford Junior were interviewed while we were there.  We found our way via LightRail to Invesco filed, and the American Presidential Experience.  Exhibits included Regan’s’ Oval Office, and a mock up of Regains 707 Air Force One.  The exhibits were interesting, but not really worth the 15 dollars. BTR interviewed a former pilot who was involved with flying Regan around, and he had good stories.

Credential pickup took literally 3 minutes, and no line.  Credential pickup seemed less secure than it should have been, and the security and ID check for Comic Con was more time consuming.  Transportation is horrible, and does not really seem to have been thought out.  I.e. The convention credentials have to be picked up at a hotel that is 5 blocks off of any public transportation route.