My cab ride with Mark Barabak, Political Writer, LA Times and ....Tuesday Night at Pepsi
By Michelle Berry - Aug 27th, 2008 at 10:22 am EDT
Also listed in: 10 groups
The evening started out just fine as I had the pleasure of taking a cab with LA Times political writer Mark Barabak and his daughter. Very nice people...and it was exciting to hear him talking to the LA Times about the lead story being Hillary, slug lines and the like.
But back to Pepsi: Like Mark, I agree that the surprise hit of the evening was a speech delivered by Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer. Another highlight is simply where the NY Delegation sits on the FLOOR of the Convention. Our location affords an up close and person viewing of the parade of famous stars in politics and Hollywood. Some folks that passed our way and waved: Senator Chuck Schumer, the "fired up and ready to have America wake up": Dennis Kucinich, Spike Lee, Matthew Modine and Angela Bassett. Modine announced to our delegation an event at the Southstreet Seaport in NYC on Sept 20 and kept repeating, 'this is HISTORY, this is HISTORICAL."
Another highlight is that I was able to shake hands with Dennis. I told him that many people in Ithaca loved him. "Well, I love Ithaca" he said with a huge smile. Brian received a text message from Trevor Dougherty from Ithaca. Trevor, our world-famous young videographer told us that he'd just done an interview with CNN! Wow.
Sitting as long as I had been sitting, made me remember wistfully what it was like watching the DNC from previous years (from the comfort of my home). Here at Pepsi, delegates sit for hours upon end, or walk up to the hall and get a bite to eat and drink. However, your seat is your new home and you dare not leave it long, lest someone else wants it. By the time Senator Clinton took the stage, most of the NY delegation had been in place for over SEVEN hours. That's a lot of listening and paying tribute! Highlights prior to Hillary, were a rousing address from our Governor, David Paterson and a tribute from the women of the Senate.
As you know doubt know already or saw for yourself, Hillary's speech was great. One particular quote: "I haven't spent the past 35 years in the trenches advocating for children, campaigning for universal healthcare, helping parents balance work and family, and fighting for women's rights at home and around the world . . . to see another Republican in the White House squander the promise of our country and the hopes of our people," Clinton said. "No way. No how. No McCain."
At the close of the speech, NY, PA, FL and NJ delegates were treated to an all-star four-state reception at Invesco (Mile High Stadium). The surprise of the evening were appearances by all of those state's governors and Bill and Hillary Clinton. Former President Clinton gave a signal of how he would be rallying the troops tomorrow night, just as his wife had done that evening. He quipped that she had shown him how to give a great speech and he now needed to deliver. We expect that he will do just that tonight at Pepsi.
As we headed back to our hotels after midnight, Brian Hunt (Upstate Field Coordinator for Barack) and I were treated to Irene Stein, Super Delegate, sharing with us a moving story about her talking with Hillary Clinton after the speech. What Irene said is up to Irene to tell you herself, but suffice it to say, it was beautiful and touching and we were very happy she shared it with us.
All best to everyone back home,
Michelle Berry and Brian Hunt, Obama Delegates from CD-22
By Michelle Berry - Aug 27th, 2008 at 10:22 am EDT
Also listed in: 10 groups
The evening started out just fine as I had the pleasure of taking a cab with LA Times political writer Mark Barabak and his daughter. Very nice people...and it was exciting to hear him talking to the LA Times about the lead story being Hillary, slug lines and the like.
But back to Pepsi: Like Mark, I agree that the surprise hit of the evening was a speech delivered by Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer. Another highlight is simply where the NY Delegation sits on the FLOOR of the Convention. Our location affords an up close and person viewing of the parade of famous stars in politics and Hollywood. Some folks that passed our way and waved: Senator Chuck Schumer, the "fired up and ready to have America wake up": Dennis Kucinich, Spike Lee, Matthew Modine and Angela Bassett. Modine announced to our delegation an event at the Southstreet Seaport in NYC on Sept 20 and kept repeating, 'this is HISTORY, this is HISTORICAL."
Another highlight is that I was able to shake hands with Dennis. I told him that many people in Ithaca loved him. "Well, I love Ithaca" he said with a huge smile. Brian received a text message from Trevor Dougherty from Ithaca. Trevor, our world-famous young videographer told us that he'd just done an interview with CNN! Wow.
Sitting as long as I had been sitting, made me remember wistfully what it was like watching the DNC from previous years (from the comfort of my home). Here at Pepsi, delegates sit for hours upon end, or walk up to the hall and get a bite to eat and drink. However, your seat is your new home and you dare not leave it long, lest someone else wants it. By the time Senator Clinton took the stage, most of the NY delegation had been in place for over SEVEN hours. That's a lot of listening and paying tribute! Highlights prior to Hillary, were a rousing address from our Governor, David Paterson and a tribute from the women of the Senate.
As you know doubt know already or saw for yourself, Hillary's speech was great. One particular quote: "I haven't spent the past 35 years in the trenches advocating for children, campaigning for universal healthcare, helping parents balance work and family, and fighting for women's rights at home and around the world . . . to see another Republican in the White House squander the promise of our country and the hopes of our people," Clinton said. "No way. No how. No McCain."
At the close of the speech, NY, PA, FL and NJ delegates were treated to an all-star four-state reception at Invesco (Mile High Stadium). The surprise of the evening were appearances by all of those state's governors and Bill and Hillary Clinton. Former President Clinton gave a signal of how he would be rallying the troops tomorrow night, just as his wife had done that evening. He quipped that she had shown him how to give a great speech and he now needed to deliver. We expect that he will do just that tonight at Pepsi.
As we headed back to our hotels after midnight, Brian Hunt (Upstate Field Coordinator for Barack) and I were treated to Irene Stein, Super Delegate, sharing with us a moving story about her talking with Hillary Clinton after the speech. What Irene said is up to Irene to tell you herself, but suffice it to say, it was beautiful and touching and we were very happy she shared it with us.
All best to everyone back home,
Michelle Berry and Brian Hunt, Obama Delegates from CD-22
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