A very long night last night, lasting into the wee hours. There were so many colors and impressions that it's hard to take it all in. And like covering an earthquake, it's hard to describe the whole landscape. How to describe sitting in a seat at the stadium as the sun set, watching row after row after row fill up ... for a political event?
How to describe the people who, when you ask them what the moment meant, can't finish the sentence without tears?
How to describe the people who traveled from all across the country to volunteer, and were happy to sell T-shirts and sit by recycling bins, just to be part of it?
How to describe the career political veterans -- the self described hacks -- who stop you in the hall and just shake their heads and say, can you believe it?
The next few weeks will about policy and contrast. That starts today.
This is an election, not a coronation and the public deserves a chance to evaluate these two men and their running mates and their policies and, yes, their lives. But I think it is worth taking a moment to pause and ask, when is the last time any politician made people want to get on a greyhound bus and travel the country just to be part of a political event?
Some random thoughts:
The Technology Piece
The technology piece was intriguing. Before the big speeches there were "quizzes" on the jumbotron asking questions about Obama policy positions. You were invited to text message the right answer.
In the media booking room, a program to allow them to look up any radio or TV show or host and find out what the program was all about, what markets it was in and what audience it served. (I hope I was in it.)
The Cultural Piece
The design of the buttons, the T-shirts. There's a graphic image of Obama in the Warhol style that has become inconic already. I wonder if John MCCain will have a similar signature image.
The Music
It's something we never had a chance to talk about. There were some intriguing choices -- John Legend and will.i.am, of course. Both big supporters, along with Sheryl Crow and Melissa Etheride. But there was also country music.
When's the last time you heard country music at a Democratic convention? (And, I hate to admit it, but Michael McDonald is still kinda hot.)
The Fashion Tip
Amazingly enough, you do need a sweater in a stadium with 84,000 people. And, yes, I did have to come out of my cute shoes. One problem technology has yet to solve: how to wear your fly shoes and walk a country mile through an intense security perimeter and a football stadium.
Sigh.
See you from St. Paul. ...
Addendum: OK, so on my flight to LA I saw actress Regina King, Crosby of Crosby Stills and Nash (both of whom have been on my show, by the way). One of the stars of "The West Wing" (I'll google him later). A guy who looks just like Chuck D, but isn't.
Anyway, the point is take that Teshima on star sightings. I win, I win! Hah! ... Also on my flight, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis ... celebrity chef G. Garvin. Teshima, I win!
categories: Backstage Pass: 2008 DNC in Denver
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