Democratic National Convention — Wednesday Night

I went down to the DNC last night. I figure there's plenty of stories, including those in our own paper about the content of the event, so here's what happened from my POV:

I got off of the light rail at the Auraria stop and hauled my backpack full of equipment across campus.

Note to self: don't bring so much stuff on Thursday.

It was interesting seeing various protesters walking back with their signs. There were a few that caught my eye. One guy had a Re-create 1776 sign.

This guy was making a heart with his hands for some reason. He wouldn't give anyone a straight answer about what it meant.

And, of course, there was a couple trying to get tickets to the event.

The police closed off a large section of Speer and only those with passes were allowed in. From Speer, we walked down Auraria Parkway to the Pepsi Center where we met another checkpoint. The police didn't let anyone cut, which was nice, but it felt like being back in fourth grade all over again. One guy was actually sent to the back of the line.

Brooklyn's by the Pepsi Center was turned into the CNN Grill. Only people with CNN creds were allowed in. Anderson Cooper ran by me, but I did get a picture of MTV's Sway posing for a picture with some of the women from APIAVote, a nonprofit organization that promotes civic participation among AAPIs.

On Sunday, the police seemed to be quite stiff, but they seem to have loosened up — I caught a few pull out their handheld cameras and taking pictures.

Many people had credentials that allowed them to get in, but didn't guarantee seats — including myself. So when the big speakers were on, many crowded around TVs and entrances to get a glimpse.

This was where I spent my time listening, or trying to at least, to John Kerry speak. (Interesting note: his entrance theme was Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'."

Luckily, I ran into a friend who staked out a prime position on the third level and offered to share it with me.

It was right above the Fox 31 broadcast booth where Ron Zappolo and Libby Weaver interviewed all sorts of folks, including Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.

However, the best part was that I was a section away from the Clintons. Made for great photo ops.

When Joe Biden came out, there was a loud roar from the crowd. He got the crowd to follow him in saying, "McCain, more of the same."

But that roar was nothing compared to when Barack Obama made a surprise appearance. It was so loud in the arena, I felt chills going down my spine. I can only imagine what it's going to be like tonight.

AAPI Caucus

The Asian American/Pacific Islander Dems held a caucus yesterday inside the convention center.

It was a lot of party rallying and trying to hype up Obama. Many of the big names of AAPI politics were there such as Rep. Mike Honda, D-Calif., Rep. David Wu, D-Ore. and Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif.

The speakers went over AAPI candidates who were involved in races across the country, including Hank Eng, who's running for the 6th Congressional District against Mike Coffman.

The always enthusiastic Howard Dean made a brief appearance, speaking about the rising voice of AAPI Democrats.

Note: Everyone pulled out their cameras and made their way to the front of the stage when he got to the lectern. Many of the politicians stood behind him for a photo op. It was pretty funny.

Tammy Duckworth, the former Army major who lost her legs in Iraq and later ran for Congress in Illinois, also made an appearance.

In the middle of the event, Mee Moua, a state senator in Minnesota, gathered all the elected officials to the front of the stage and made them sing a song about Barack Obama and Joe Biden. (I think I have a video of this, I have to download my camcorder's footage first)

Edit: I do have video of this.



Yul Kwon, of "Survivor" fame, moderated the third part of the caucus, which featured younger AAPIs who spoke about what they have been doing politically. Ramey Ko, a delegate from Texas, spoke about how he helped start the "Asian Americans for Obama" grassroot organization.

Note: S.R. Sidarth was on the panel. He's better known as being the person former Virginia Senator George Allen called "macaca" back in '06, which helped lead to Jim Webb's victory.

Cinemocracy

The Denver Film Society is holding the Cinemocracy Film Festival tonight at 6 p.m. at Red Rocks.

Showing: Monday, August 25, 6:00 PM
Running Time: 240 Minutes
Theater: Red Rocks Ampitheatre

For more info, go to http://www.denverfilm.org/filmcenter/reserve.aspx?id=9638&FID=42.

Front and center at the DNC

(Video & Photos by Christopher Harrop/The Aurora Sentinel, who apologizes for the terrible quality of the video — it should be noted it was taken with the same device as the photos)

AAPI Summit

Earlier today - well technically yesterday by now (it’s 12:22 a.m.) - an Asian American/Pacific Islander Summit was held at the Hyatt Regency.

Local and national leaders spoke about politics and issues that pertained to, well, the AAPI communities.

Among those in attendance were prominent national AAPI leaders such as Rep. Mike Honda, D-Calif., Floyd Mori, national executive director of the Japanese American Citizens League, and Vida Benavidas, executive director of APIAVote, a nonprofit, nonpartisan org. that promotes civic involvement in the AAPI communities. Former Colorado state Senate President Stan Matsunaka was also in attendance.

Much of what they spoke about seemed like it was preaching to the choir. Many in attendance were other local and national leaders who have heard and are fully aware of the schpeal about education and health care disparities, namely with the lack of interpreters to serve the first generation immigrants, and the need for immigration reform.

But what appeared to reach the crowd was the urging of those in the AAPI communities to not be passive and voice their concerns. Kenneth Quan Phi, a junior at DU, spoke about getting out and doing something rather than ignoring a problem - specifically pointing out the Max Karson Campus Press article "If it's war the Asians want..." and the reaction from local community members.

It was a "let's empower ourselves so that we can empower our communities" event. It was good except that it was three hours long with two really short breaks.

The Dems made a strong push for 6th Congressional District candidate Hank Eng, who was in attendance. Just about everyone who is involved with the party mentioned Eng during their speech.

Celeb sighting
"Survivor: Cook Island" winner Yul Kwon was in attendance. It wasn't a big surprise - Kwon's a fairly vocal Dem who toyed with idea to run for Congress earlier this year.

Interesting tidbit
During the second break, I was planning on heading over to grab a burrito from Chipotle, but the staff at the Hyatt had a lockdown because there were demonstrators outside.

Needless to say, I was starving.

I ran into a woman, whose name escapes me right now, who's helping one of my favorite bloggers, angry asian man, cover the DNC. But when she was taking some random crowd shots, the guy at the door told her that she wasn't allowed to shoot pictures. I was surprised by this. I know it's private property, but how many people shot pictures in that lobby without being told to stop?

I suppose stopping a blogger from shooting some random pics that probably wouldn't even be used is important for security purposes.

Largely Unconventional

Making the 100-meter mosey through the convention "media types" at the Sheraton Hotel in Downtown Denver this morning made it painfully obvious that there are two types of media in attendance in Denver: Working press, and working celebrities — and its anyone's guess who's there to actually inform the public.

Overheard from working press: "I need to get drunk ... fast." And, "Isn't pot legal here?"

Overheard from working celebrities: Nothing. Diane Sawyer (above) and network big wigs have more security than a rapper. Katie Couric's team is massive.

When bloggers aren't lamenting the fact that Dems have politely said, "Thanks, but no thanks," (120 blog credentials issued for the entire convention out of thousands of online blogs) they've got my nod to be the frontrunners in great gavel-to-gavel coverage.

That is, before they can find the nearest bar.

Long-lost brothers?

(LEFT: US Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio. RIGHT: Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper)

Think Hick deliberately keeps his coif less than tidy so people don't mistake him for Kucinich?

The GOP would go nuts

So we at the Sentinel picked up our media credentials for the DNC today. This may be one too many posts about all the free stuff we've received from the convention folks, but here it goes.

Inside the goody bag were a number of items, but this one stood out based on name alone: Joint Juice.

One might expect a marijuana-themed beverage to be consumed voraciously at the Democratic National Convention, but alas, this product — labeled as a "dietary supplement" — is intended to help promote the hydration and lubrication of the joints in your body.

But don't tell that to the conservative pundits; it'll spoil the fun they will have talking about how the Democrats are lavishing the Denver area and journalistic population with free pot-laced drinks.

Sunday Morning Briefing

(This photo of a Secret Service agent at the Pepsi Center this morning comes by way of Charles Dharapak of the Associated Press.)

• The McCain campaign is playing the Hillary Card... and Hillary doesn't like it. [From Politico]
• And in a snap, McCain praises Joe Biden. [From CNN]
  
• Here in Denver, the protests begin. [From PoliticsWest]
• Is it good or bad that some Iraqis detest Joe Biden? [From TigerHawk]
• Oops. [From YouTube]
• Haven't seen the podium of the Pepsi Center yet? It's impressive. [From DNC Blog]
• At least 30 percent of Hillary fans haven't contracted Obamamania yet. [From The Note]
  

BEST. PARTY. EVER.

(Thanks are in order for AP photog Ted Warren for snapping this pic of Malcolm Farley working on a portrait of Barack Obama. Just about everyone in the park got this same photo, but some of us (In this case, me) couldn't get the photo downloaded from their cameraphone.)

Sorry, Democrats.... While I'm happy to admit you just threw the best party ever, it'll be hard to top the festivities enjoyed by journalists, bloggers and assorted VIPs on Saturday night at Elitch Gardens. With that in mind, thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who stood amid all the free food and booze and managed not to partake.

How convenient it is to have an amusement park within walking distance of the main convention hall of a major political party's presidential-year gathering? The answer: Very convenient, and then remember there's plenty of public transportation to escort the inebriated scribes home safely and soundly.

More than a few members of my entourage noted that the fireworks display may have been equally or more impressive than whatever Barack Obama will receive on Thursday night at Invesco Field at Mile High. And the Flobots were there, and they are pretty good (I'm told).

More than a few celebrities were spotted: Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Gov. Bill Ritter were both spotted; it was uncertain how many Molson Coors products each had consumed by about 9:30 p.m., but according to sources in my immediate vicinity, both political luminaries enjoyed themselves as much as anyone else at Elitch's. This observer personally spotted legendary Las Vegas columnist (and former Denver writer) Norm Clarke four separate times; granted, he of the eye patch is hard to miss.

One area of improvement to note: The Elitch Gardens staff should take greater care to map out the men's restrooms, lest they end up with certain members of my entourage relieving themselves behind the Beat the Buzzer hoops game.

UPDATE: Apparently, there were many more political and journalistic heavyweights in attendance than first thought -- we missed them because we showed up fashionably late to the dog-and-pony show. US Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo) was on hand, as well as gossip columnist for the New York Post, Cindy Adams.

It's Biden for VP

Today's news unhealthily fixated on speculation about Barack Obama's choice for Vice President. While MSNBC got a pass thanks to Olympics coverage, CNN was covering the story every single hour of the day almost, with Larry King even staying up late for a midnight (on the East Coast) broadcast once they thought all the puzzle pieces were placed.
Does the Secret Service know something we don't? Not in this case, because we know it, too:
Longtime US Senator Joe Biden (D-Delaware) is Obama's pick to join the White House ticket this fall. This comes after the Associated Press reported that both Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and US Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Indiana) were out of the running.
Why Biden? The Associated Press spells it out fairly well in a story by Liz Sidoti and Nedra Pickler:

"Biden brought the most experience in defense or foreign policy -- areas in which Obama is rated relatively poorly in the polls compared with Republican Sen. John McCain."

Definitely don't take my word on political speculation this year, because the best odds I gave Biden in my Democratic "Veepstakes" was 8-1... and he wasn't even on my proposed shortlist (yet John Edwards was, but that was before he admitted to the affair).
By the way, the National Review online has a nice rap sheet of supposed Biden gaffes. Sure, there's a little ammunition for the Republicans to use here, but I think most voters have already made up their minds... except for the plethora of forum posts I've seen on political blogs purportedly from Clinton supporters wondering whether they should vote for John McCain since their candidate has been "snubbed."

100 Years in the Making

As we start to cover the Democratic National Convention in Denver, where else to start but the beginning? Here's a quick segment from Rocky Mountain PBS on the history behind Denver's 1908 confab as we get closer to the 2008 event, which multiple Sentinel reporters and editors will be trekking downtown to cover the festivities, scripted and unscripted. Keep watching this blog in the coming days for more.