What an amazing first day. Inaugural days of conventions are, conventionally, boring: this one was anything but.
Michelle Obama's speech was a triumph. She was able to let us in to her own life --what she called her "improbable journey" -- and her husband's in a very personal way, but -- more important -- in a way that attached the trajectory of her life to the American dream we all dream. She shares a gift for the language of hope that has made Barack Obama a celebrated orator. Being that close must rub off in good ways.
Senator Ted Kennedy's address evoked amazing emotions -- the entire Massachusetts delegation welled up, nearly as one, when he took the stage. It didn't take me that long: when Caroline Kennedy introduced her uncle, the thought crossed my mind that she looks ever more like her father -- and I was saddened anew that she is the lone survivor of that gifted, beloved nuclear family. A delegate sitting next to me from the Cape was especially touched by the video's views of the Senator at sea on his sailboat -- in familiar waters, right off Hyannisport. There was a clear sense that Massachusetts has contributed more than its share of talent to the Democratic leadership of the nation over the years. And Caroline's introduction of her uncle as "everybody's Senator" was touching and generous.
Michelle Obama's speech was a triumph. She was able to let us in to her own life --what she called her "improbable journey" -- and her husband's in a very personal way, but -- more important -- in a way that attached the trajectory of her life to the American dream we all dream. She shares a gift for the language of hope that has made Barack Obama a celebrated orator. Being that close must rub off in good ways.
Senator Ted Kennedy's address evoked amazing emotions -- the entire Massachusetts delegation welled up, nearly as one, when he took the stage. It didn't take me that long: when Caroline Kennedy introduced her uncle, the thought crossed my mind that she looks ever more like her father -- and I was saddened anew that she is the lone survivor of that gifted, beloved nuclear family. A delegate sitting next to me from the Cape was especially touched by the video's views of the Senator at sea on his sailboat -- in familiar waters, right off Hyannisport. There was a clear sense that Massachusetts has contributed more than its share of talent to the Democratic leadership of the nation over the years. And Caroline's introduction of her uncle as "everybody's Senator" was touching and generous.
Click here to see delegates' responses to Sen. Kennedy's speech -- including our own Mike Wheeler! (at minute 2:17 of the clip).
Bullet points from earlier in the day:
* In the morning, I attended a very interesting caucus of Democratic leadership on ethnic groups. Did you realize that 13% of the American electorate self-identify as a member of Euro-ethnic groups? That's more than the margin of victory in a close election. There is a strategy that will be applied, especially in battleground states, specifically to target and persuade voters who identify with these groups -- e.g., Polish Americans in rust-belt states -- and get out the vote among these groups for the November election.
* Jovial first- morning breakfast and credentialling: we were welcomed to his home state of Colorado by former Senator Gary Hart. We heard remarks from Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi, and Governor Deval Patrick really got us going: his popularity among the state's Democratic leaders is palpable. Took pictures and got autographs -- I'm shamelessly enjoying the celebrity moments of this experience.
* Saw more than my share of media headliners today, too: at the MSNBC headquarters near the Pepsi Center, we saw anchorman David Gregory arrive for a taping session. In the convention hall, I came face to face with Andrea Mitchell and watched Sam Donaldson nearly fall out of a balcony while trying to get Mitchell's attention on the convention floor.
* Was part of the footage shot by a CNN cameraman who lurked near our rows of seats for more than an hour.
* Two of us, Arthur Powell and me, were interviewed about the evening's speeches by a journalist from Chicago Public Radio as we left the hall.
* Great party at a downtown jazz venue, Alto, boasted terrific music and delicious food and drink, and went on until the wee hours.
Look for pictures tomorrow on many of these events and more by returning to this page and clicking here.
Bullet points from earlier in the day:
* In the morning, I attended a very interesting caucus of Democratic leadership on ethnic groups. Did you realize that 13% of the American electorate self-identify as a member of Euro-ethnic groups? That's more than the margin of victory in a close election. There is a strategy that will be applied, especially in battleground states, specifically to target and persuade voters who identify with these groups -- e.g., Polish Americans in rust-belt states -- and get out the vote among these groups for the November election.
* Jovial first- morning breakfast and credentialling: we were welcomed to his home state of Colorado by former Senator Gary Hart. We heard remarks from Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi, and Governor Deval Patrick really got us going: his popularity among the state's Democratic leaders is palpable. Took pictures and got autographs -- I'm shamelessly enjoying the celebrity moments of this experience.
* Saw more than my share of media headliners today, too: at the MSNBC headquarters near the Pepsi Center, we saw anchorman David Gregory arrive for a taping session. In the convention hall, I came face to face with Andrea Mitchell and watched Sam Donaldson nearly fall out of a balcony while trying to get Mitchell's attention on the convention floor.
* Was part of the footage shot by a CNN cameraman who lurked near our rows of seats for more than an hour.
* Two of us, Arthur Powell and me, were interviewed about the evening's speeches by a journalist from Chicago Public Radio as we left the hall.
* Great party at a downtown jazz venue, Alto, boasted terrific music and delicious food and drink, and went on until the wee hours.
Look for pictures tomorrow on many of these events and more by returning to this page and clicking here.
5 comments:
Wow, some one is having a great time. How exciting this must be. Who else could blog at 2 am? As a repulican voting for Obama or a Re-bama-can I found the 1st day quite interesting. I usually don't watch most of these conventions until the last day. This seems to be setting a new tone of change as the torch gets passed from Kennedy to the Obama in what we hope will be a new legacy.
PG
Thanks for the terrific blogging, Marianne. You're doing a great job making us all feel part of this historic event. I have to say that Michelle hit one out of the park last night with her speech. She was warm, personal, strong, accessible, and likable. I thought that she'd do a wonderful job, but she completely exceeded my expectations. I feel optimistic that the American people are finally learning what they need to know about the remarkable Obamas. They are to be admired and embraced as our next first family.
It was nice to see Mass. so prominent on the first night. After watching news coverage all day yesterday, I am concerned that the party is still split (Recreate '68??). Is there any inside info from Denver about the state of the party? Or are the Dems going to miss a golden opportunity through in-fighting. I am a anti-Clinton Repub in the last two elections so I don't trust them. Any info can help put my mind at ease.
So good to have your on-the-ground view of events, Marianne. Btw, the only thing that was more rousing to this Democrat than Ted Kennedy's speech last night was glimpsing you on CNN. I was telling other Dem/MAR fans last night that the camera shot was close up and it stayed with you more than a moment. You looked wonderfully excited and very tele-genic.
Peter: I have a button just for you.
Jody: Michelle Obama's speech generally regarded here as ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC. So personal, it was almost like having a conversation with her. Although I will say that just as many people are proclaiming Hillary's speech of last night to be among the best too. Interesting that the ladies are showing up the gents in this category!!
Chris: Massachusetts is MAJOR here, not least because we have stolen the show with our leadership -- Senator Kennedy is, as Caroline Kennedy describer her uncle, "your Senator too" no matter where you live. As the last Dem. presidential nominee, Sen. Kerry is quite prominent in many imaginable ways. And Gov. Deval Patrick's prime-time slot last night got him lots of kudos. (Whatta guy.)
Jayne -- thanks for the email after my 15 seconds of fame on CNN. There are ample opportunities for opining to the media here. Mike Wheeler is in a video clip on Boston.com. Arthur Powell and I were interviewed on our way out of the Pepsi Center on Monday night by a reporter from Chicago Public Radio. Last night someone stopped me to ask a few off-the-wall questions for a documentary. And cameramen and journalists EVERYWHERE. See more on today's blog.
Post a Comment