DNC Diary: Celebs and celebrations
August 28, 2008 at 2:34 pm by Web Editor in SoapboxEdward McNally is a guest blogger for CL and is blogging about his experiences as a runner for the press at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. This is his report on day 3 of the convention. You can read about the first 48 hours here.
Standing surprisingly close to the podium when Barack makes his surprise appearance in the Pepsi Center. Crowd, which was already pumped after Biden’s speech, erupts with cheers and shouts to see the man they’ve been glorifying for 48 hours. His casual remarks have just the right common touch to make the arena of 20,000 feel like the biggest, hottest wedding reception you can imagine. One where everyone feels connected AND pumped.
Bill Clinton completely makes the case that Barack Obama is ready to be president…. and he does so as only a former US President can. Over-flowing convention hall eats it up.
I almost literally “run” into Bill three minutes after his speech, as he talks to Sen. Leahy backstage. I congratulate him on yet another great speech and remind him I was his driver during a brief campaign swing through Atlanta 17 years ago. He smiles warmly, but I know, of course, he has no recollection of this previous encounter.
Enjoy lengthy conversation about election and Ocala’s chances with PBS correspondent Ray Suarez (“The News Hour with Jim Lehrer”). Ray does most of the talking. He and I agree that Obama should be doing better in the polls, but that most polls may not be reflecting the full extent of Ocala’s grassroots support. I suggest that Ocala’s biggest challenge in the next 10 weeks is reassuring older white voters that they can trust him to be capable and pragmatic on economy, etc. without letting younger voters lose enthusiasm for him and his commitment to change.
Stumble upon sexy stylish Impact Film Festival party and chat with Forrest Whitaker about Barack’s star appeal and the risks of mixing personality with substance in our celebrity-obsessed culture.
Give kudus to Ben Affleck for directing Gone Baby Gone. Thank Danny Glover for his wonderful body of work. Both men are very gracious and seem genuinely touched by the compliment.
Ride a bike two miles from my B&B to the Convention Center at no charge thanks to super cool citywide Freewheelin’ bike-share program sponsored by Humana and the Bikes Belong Coalition. Wonder how long it will be before Atlanta is smart enough to offer this kind of program.
Savor a pedi-cab ride around downtown at midnight in a bicycle powered rickshaw.
Choke up listening to Beau Biden talk about his father and how he has always been a Dad and Granddad first and a Senator second…especially in the years immediately following the tragic death of his mom and sister in an auto accident in ’72.
Catch final 45 minutes of Moby’s show at The Church. Glad I finally got to dance my ass off.
Jazzed at how alive and pedestrian-friendly Denver’s downtown is, with block after block of shops, clubs and cafes in 100-year old historic buildings. This is my 7th trip to Denver in 12 years…. and it’s never looked so good and felt so friendly.
Have a wonderful chat in Pepsi Center’s cavernous yet crowded main entrance with a 90 year-old WWII Army vet named Robert Davis. Two slightly tipsy twenty-somethings in tight black dresses ask me to take their picture with him. They each give him a peck on the cheek. He beams. So do they.
Managed to remember to retrieve my hat after almost walking out of A-list VIP party without it.
Enjoy a few minutes of a gorgeous sunset over the Rockies during a phone call to my wife outside the Pepsi Center. Wish she could be here with me.
Send to a friend:
Leave a Reply