Energy Crisis in Denver?
Not hardly. Late greeting from the Democratic Convention, by way of the City O' City Bar on Sherman (and 13rth).
Technology and logistics ( don't get me started) prevented me from getting this blog cooking on Monday, so we're gonna make up some ground here and keep it rolling.
Let's start by stripping out certain categories and giving you some thoughts vs. one of those 30,000 foot views. There's time for that later. Let's kick it with the highly anticipated...
Protest Scene:
Please. Let's put it this way. Abby Hoffman is probably rolling over in his grave. Whatever version of "anarchy" this is supposed to be I don't know. But it's become almost laughable at this point. The media, however, is to be laughed at even more, since they were practically drooling at the thought of covering a Chicago '68 type scene. Not happening. The Denver PD is highly visible and the infamous "Gitmo on the Platte" looms. After yesterday, a grand total of 8 have been arrested.
So much for anarchy in 2008.
Maybe not a bad thing.
Media:
Well, when media outnumbers attendees/delegates, it changes the atmoshperics, so to speak. The CNN contingent is a bit over the top for yours truly, with their own danged bar on the same grounds as the Pepsi Center. You literally cannot get away from the sound of Wolf Blitzer's voice anywhere you go, so loud it is outside.
I must say, however, the scene is star studded, but not in that glitzy sense. I'm actually relieved. Some of the "walk by's" in the media area included PBS documentarian Ken Burns (who did the Ted Kennedy), Amy Goodman (heard on KUNM in ABQ), and the like. In fact, the first "celeb" if you will, that cruised by me at the gates was DC lawyer and Clinton pal Vernon Jordan.
The best celeb moment to date was walking out with the throng following Michelle Obama's speech and seeing filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, best known for "Super Size Me." We talked about his time in Albuquerque, when he had a play at The Vortex during the Rt.. 66 festival a few years ago. He clearly has some warm feelings towards the city to this day. That was kinda cool.
NM Delegation:
Good party at the rooftop pool of the Crowne Plaza, which is ground zero for the NM Democratic Delegation, for Governor Richardson. I had some good conversations with James Lewis, good friend of New Mexico In Focus Terry Brunner (staffer for Sen. Bingaman), Lt. Governor Diane Denish, Brian Colon, Patsy Madrid and a lot more.
David Alire Garcia was in attendance as well. We both passed on the free cigars.
The delegation is, to put it simply, charged up. These folks have worked extremely hard. To be in the hall for the Kennedy tribute and Michelle Obama's speech, you had to be happy for them. Governor Richardson was in fine fittle and I had no chance of shaking his hand and wishing him luck with his speech tonight, so surrounded he was by well wishers and photo seekers.
Watching him, I couldn't help but wonder how he must be feeling about all this, since he was, after all, planning on giving the Thursday night speech, if you get my drift.
Denver:
I like Denver a lot. Have not been here in about six/seven years, but my sense is they are already at about their limit with patience after one day. Downtown is a mess. Puree and simple. i brought my bike (and had to get a flat fixed an hour ago) because driving/parking simply isn't a possibility. It's that bad.
I listened to KOA AM, the big news/talk station on the way up, and they mentioned many downtown employers had their staff stay and work from home for the entire week. Not a bad idea. We'll see how it goes as the week moves along.
OK, off to a friend's where I'm staying to dump some stuff and get my bike back in order, then pedal off to the Pepsi Center. The anticipation for Hillary is extremely high. My prediction is she will bring down the house and end all this talk of a Hillary jihad within the the party. I'll be reporting from the press pool area live before, during and after, so please stop by.
Following, I'll be with the delegation folks and try and speak with a few more delegates to get their take.
Best,
Gene Grant
Technology and logistics ( don't get me started) prevented me from getting this blog cooking on Monday, so we're gonna make up some ground here and keep it rolling.
Let's start by stripping out certain categories and giving you some thoughts vs. one of those 30,000 foot views. There's time for that later. Let's kick it with the highly anticipated...
Protest Scene:
Please. Let's put it this way. Abby Hoffman is probably rolling over in his grave. Whatever version of "anarchy" this is supposed to be I don't know. But it's become almost laughable at this point. The media, however, is to be laughed at even more, since they were practically drooling at the thought of covering a Chicago '68 type scene. Not happening. The Denver PD is highly visible and the infamous "Gitmo on the Platte" looms. After yesterday, a grand total of 8 have been arrested.
So much for anarchy in 2008.
Maybe not a bad thing.
Media:
Well, when media outnumbers attendees/delegates, it changes the atmoshperics, so to speak. The CNN contingent is a bit over the top for yours truly, with their own danged bar on the same grounds as the Pepsi Center. You literally cannot get away from the sound of Wolf Blitzer's voice anywhere you go, so loud it is outside.
I must say, however, the scene is star studded, but not in that glitzy sense. I'm actually relieved. Some of the "walk by's" in the media area included PBS documentarian Ken Burns (who did the Ted Kennedy), Amy Goodman (heard on KUNM in ABQ), and the like. In fact, the first "celeb" if you will, that cruised by me at the gates was DC lawyer and Clinton pal Vernon Jordan.
The best celeb moment to date was walking out with the throng following Michelle Obama's speech and seeing filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, best known for "Super Size Me." We talked about his time in Albuquerque, when he had a play at The Vortex during the Rt.. 66 festival a few years ago. He clearly has some warm feelings towards the city to this day. That was kinda cool.
NM Delegation:
Good party at the rooftop pool of the Crowne Plaza, which is ground zero for the NM Democratic Delegation, for Governor Richardson. I had some good conversations with James Lewis, good friend of New Mexico In Focus Terry Brunner (staffer for Sen. Bingaman), Lt. Governor Diane Denish, Brian Colon, Patsy Madrid and a lot more.
David Alire Garcia was in attendance as well. We both passed on the free cigars.
The delegation is, to put it simply, charged up. These folks have worked extremely hard. To be in the hall for the Kennedy tribute and Michelle Obama's speech, you had to be happy for them. Governor Richardson was in fine fittle and I had no chance of shaking his hand and wishing him luck with his speech tonight, so surrounded he was by well wishers and photo seekers.
Watching him, I couldn't help but wonder how he must be feeling about all this, since he was, after all, planning on giving the Thursday night speech, if you get my drift.
Denver:
I like Denver a lot. Have not been here in about six/seven years, but my sense is they are already at about their limit with patience after one day. Downtown is a mess. Puree and simple. i brought my bike (and had to get a flat fixed an hour ago) because driving/parking simply isn't a possibility. It's that bad.
I listened to KOA AM, the big news/talk station on the way up, and they mentioned many downtown employers had their staff stay and work from home for the entire week. Not a bad idea. We'll see how it goes as the week moves along.
OK, off to a friend's where I'm staying to dump some stuff and get my bike back in order, then pedal off to the Pepsi Center. The anticipation for Hillary is extremely high. My prediction is she will bring down the house and end all this talk of a Hillary jihad within the the party. I'll be reporting from the press pool area live before, during and after, so please stop by.
Following, I'll be with the delegation folks and try and speak with a few more delegates to get their take.
Best,
Gene Grant
posted by Gene Grant at
3:12 PM
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