Yes She Can, But...
Greetings from The Common Ground coffee shop at Wazee and 17th. Probably the best wi-fi in the area, and an excellent spot for delegate foot rest. The laptops (and this is an Apple kind of laptop town) are open, the blackberry's being squeezed, and more than a few anxious voices on cell phones nearby.
Interesting day so far. Tried to chase down rumor of a traffic stoppage via protest around 2:30, but never found them. Christine Sierra from UNM and I kicked back for a time in one of the media tents. She was interviewed by someone at UNM's Education Department and we had a chance to compare notes/observations following last nights events.
The word of the day continues to be "Hillary."
It's now a universally accepted opinion that Hillary laid to rest any doubt she had about the Obama Express. However, the day after The Speech, there are HRC supporters still going at it.
I kid you not.
I rode by two sets of pro Hillary demonstrators earlier this afternoon, still rocking the megaphone for Hillary. It was quite the site, with onlookers gaping fairly open mouthed at the spectacle. Mind you we're talking no more than fifty or so at one and half that at another (and the roving packs of 4 - 6). The point is; why?
If there's a point to be made, I didn't hear it. Chants of, "we'll remember in November!" wasn't terribly convincing. Or impressive. Will Bill be the final nail in the balloon? From what I saw/heard, I doubt it.
The best part however was the scene surrounding them. In my eyeline at the first protest, right outside the security gate, was the "Rednecks For Obama" table. When I go back to the Pepsi a little later (it's 6:00 now) I just have to see what THAT'S all about.
Second best streetscape view from the bicycle seat; the "Obama In A Bottle" dolls. They were moving. I've noticed a trend in the merch. The more outrageous, ironic or bizarre it is, the better it sells.
Third interesting wrinkle of the day is the amount of faith based/religious protesters here. That caught me by surprise. They run the gamut from just youth groups doing street performing with a light message to full scale anti abortion factions. One with the classic aborted fetus in full color, easily 8 feet long by 4 feet tall. Lovely. Warm up for St. Paul, perhaps?
It all added up to a warped cacophony of special interests all trying to out shout each other. Too bad none of them could top the woman dead middle hawking water and peanuts. She's clearly worked a few carny stalls in her day. She didn't need a megaphone.
Was greeted by some nice KNME viewers this afternoon while at a stop light with the bike. They drove up from Santa Fe just to take it all in and were having a grand time. Which brings a point. I'd hazard as Thursday gets closer plans will be made to make the drive from ABQ of SF by many just to take it all in.
If you are in fact noodling that, I'd say do it. It's gonna bang. no question. You can feel it building. There are enough night spots here that a full night is possible, with Invesco kicking off at four and going 'til ten. The party will go long into the night. No doubt about that.
Once in a lifetime, as they say.
Interesting day so far. Tried to chase down rumor of a traffic stoppage via protest around 2:30, but never found them. Christine Sierra from UNM and I kicked back for a time in one of the media tents. She was interviewed by someone at UNM's Education Department and we had a chance to compare notes/observations following last nights events.
The word of the day continues to be "Hillary."
It's now a universally accepted opinion that Hillary laid to rest any doubt she had about the Obama Express. However, the day after The Speech, there are HRC supporters still going at it.
I kid you not.
I rode by two sets of pro Hillary demonstrators earlier this afternoon, still rocking the megaphone for Hillary. It was quite the site, with onlookers gaping fairly open mouthed at the spectacle. Mind you we're talking no more than fifty or so at one and half that at another (and the roving packs of 4 - 6). The point is; why?
If there's a point to be made, I didn't hear it. Chants of, "we'll remember in November!" wasn't terribly convincing. Or impressive. Will Bill be the final nail in the balloon? From what I saw/heard, I doubt it.
The best part however was the scene surrounding them. In my eyeline at the first protest, right outside the security gate, was the "Rednecks For Obama" table. When I go back to the Pepsi a little later (it's 6:00 now) I just have to see what THAT'S all about.
Second best streetscape view from the bicycle seat; the "Obama In A Bottle" dolls. They were moving. I've noticed a trend in the merch. The more outrageous, ironic or bizarre it is, the better it sells.
Third interesting wrinkle of the day is the amount of faith based/religious protesters here. That caught me by surprise. They run the gamut from just youth groups doing street performing with a light message to full scale anti abortion factions. One with the classic aborted fetus in full color, easily 8 feet long by 4 feet tall. Lovely. Warm up for St. Paul, perhaps?
It all added up to a warped cacophony of special interests all trying to out shout each other. Too bad none of them could top the woman dead middle hawking water and peanuts. She's clearly worked a few carny stalls in her day. She didn't need a megaphone.
Was greeted by some nice KNME viewers this afternoon while at a stop light with the bike. They drove up from Santa Fe just to take it all in and were having a grand time. Which brings a point. I'd hazard as Thursday gets closer plans will be made to make the drive from ABQ of SF by many just to take it all in.
If you are in fact noodling that, I'd say do it. It's gonna bang. no question. You can feel it building. There are enough night spots here that a full night is possible, with Invesco kicking off at four and going 'til ten. The party will go long into the night. No doubt about that.
Once in a lifetime, as they say.
posted by Gene Grant at
4:24 PM
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