Convention Highlights

On a more personal note, here are some of the highlights of my experience in Denver this week:

Meeting Anderson Cooper and having him chat with BH and me about HD. We waved to him from afar and told him that HD was his biggest fan (HD was sleeping and in fact has never seen Anderson). He came down from the CNN building and out into the fray to say hello to us. He even said, "He is tall for his age, isn't he?" to which BH proudly replied, "96th percentile, thank you for noticing." Then, under my breath to Anderson, I mentioned the possibility of the need for a blood test soon. Aside from being the prettiest man on television, he could not have been friendlier. I saw him many times throughout the week and he literally had to walk around with his head down so as not to be accosted by his crazed fans.

Being greeted by Senator Clinton at the WomenCount event and modeling their clothing on stage with HD.

Dennis Kucinich's speech. Simply amazing. (I was breastfeeding HD in the darkness of the very last row behind the stage during the speech.)

Doing actual work by helping the NEA blogger with one of her video posts (I held the Flip Video for her and HD managed to stay calm and steady in the Ergo).

Chatting with Donna Brazile, former Gore campaign manager, and introducing her to HD, one of the latest positive results of the campaign. She talked to HD about becoming President some day and suggested we have a Gore 2000 reunion.

Exploiting HD (without even trying) on a number of occasions to get preferential treatment, including being taken to the front of the security line at the Pepsi Center because the Secret Service agent wanted to, "get the baby out of the sun." We were also able to successfully break the no-stroller rule at Invesco. The TSA official was the only one who questioned us in a field of police, Secret Service, and other law enforcement officials...maybe because we were at the staff/press entrance?

Riding in a freight elevator with half of the Senate and Governor Gray Davis (D-CA) at Invesco.

Running into old friends from Gore, Clinton, and NBC days, including a friend of mine who now works for IAVA.

Other star sitings: Katie Couric (chatting with followers in the hallway), Ann Curry (on her cell phone in the hallway), Andrea Mitchell (walking and talking with her "people"), Charlie Gibson (smiled at HD), Bif Henderson of Late Night with David Letterman - BH saw him at a different time making delegates do push-ups, James Carville wearing black Pumas (not PUMAs) with bright yellow accents.

Seeing diversity of all kinds at the convention on all nights, especially the last night at Invesco. It was certainly a different crowd than LA or Boston - and it was awesome to be a part of it.

Shawn Johnson, Sheryl Crow, and Jennifer Hudson on stage.

Meeting so many wonderful people in Denver, my new favorite-nicest-people-in-the-world city. Everyone I met and/or asked a question of, from random vendors on the street, to armored police, was friendly and genuinely helpful. Two quick examples: a pedi-cab driver and a volunteer policeman independently gave me the correct cross streets of the closest drug store - can you do that in your city? Two guards helped me carry HD in his stroller down three flights of stairs (they relayed it). It is also a beautiful city with tons to do for adults and children.

Having our family together.

Seeing BH in action.

Being there to see and hear history being made.

Knowing HD won't remember it, but being so glad we brought him anyway.

Favorite lines of the week:

• "Wake up, America!" - Dennis Kucinich
• "It's not because John McCain doesn't care, it's because John McCain doesn't get it." - Barack Obama
• "No way, no how, no McCain." - Hillary Clinton
• "With an agenda like that, it makes sense that George Bush and John McCain will be together next week in the Twin Cities. Because these days they’re awfully hard to tell apart." - Hillary Clinton
• "Einstein said a definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. If we elect John McCain, then, according to Einstein, we surely would be insane." - Monica Early ("real" person)
• "Republicans talk about putting “country first,” but tell that to Marion, Indiana. They sent my job overseas. America can’t afford more of the same. We need a president who puts the Barney Smiths before the Smith Barneys." - Barney Smith ("real" person)
• "And now is the time to keep the promise of equal pay for an equal day's work, because I want my daughters to have exactly the same opportunities as your sons." - Barack Obama
• "If, like me, you still believe America must always be a place called Hope, then join Hillary, Chelsea and me in making Senator Barack Obama the next President of the United States." - Bill Clinton

Comments

[sara badger wilson]

Loving your blog, loving your experiences and your manner of description. Keep up the good work.
Go Obama. Go Hillary!!!