Monday at the DNC Wrap-Up
Topic: Live from the DNC

Good opening day at the DNC today. Met a few folks, got the lay of the land in and around the Fleet Center, and got to see and hear the heavy guns that the Dems rolled out for opening night: Al Gore, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Gore was quite funny and self-deprecating. ("I lay awake counting and recounting sheep." "I still believe that this is a country where any boy or girl can grow up to believe they can win the popular vote.") I'm sure he's wishing he'd come across that way four years ago. Carter really impressed me. His voice sounded a bit weak, but then he is nearly 81 years old; however, he really hammered on the current administration. It was a bit surprising, given his very diplomatic way of approaching situations, but he is clearly upset about the way this administration has been running things. He hit all the key points from Bush's military service to the current foreign policy to the environment to the misinformation on Iraq, etc. Clinton was, as he always is, a master public speaker. No surprises there.

A few random thoughts before I hit the hay and go do this all again tomorrow:

1) No extra photo gallery tonight. Sorry. Computer issues at home tonight. I'll double up tomorrow.

2) Listening to speakers for nearly seven straight hours, you become aware of the repetition - but I guess that's to catch anyone who's just tuning in casually.

3) While it wasn't surprising to see I-93 & the Bunker Hill Bridge devoid of cars, given the security measures, it was odd to see spurts of non-official traffic there from time to time. I thought it was all sealed off.

4) Around 5:30, the Fleet turned into a feeding frenzy, as there was a lull in the speakers. All the concession stands were jammed. But, unlike a normal visit to the Fleet for a Bruins game...there was NO beer. Hence, the empty men's rooms. Weird seeing that. I've never not stood in line for 10 min. before when going to the john.

5) Speaking of dinner, most of the food stands were out of most everything - everyone in my line ended up with chicken fingers and fries....

6) Half way thru the convention today, they switched the press access so that us bloggers couldn't get in to the hall on the lower level. I ended up getting chased out a couple times. Light green vs. dark green passes. Picky picky.

7) Most of the music played between speakers, or during TV commercial breaks was Motown. It got the delegates dancing in their seats.

8) As the evening progressed, the Fleet filled to the rafters. People were sitting out in the concourse watching the speakers on TV because they couldn't see from inside the hall.

9) Celeb sightings: Tom Brokow, Wolf Blitzer and Sen. Diane Feinstein.

If you're looking for something to do away from the DNC convention on Tuesday the 27th, you can check out screening of Outfoxed in Cambridge.

Also on Tuesday the 27th, at the DNC, Ron Reagan, Jr. will be speaking to the convention about stem cell research. In conjunction with the, CBS News is running a number of pieces on stem cell research and some work being done in China on ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) by Dr. Hongyun Huang.

And, lastly, if you know of any good parties going on, INVITE ME!!!

Thanks.

See you tomorrow. Bed time now.

Cheers,
Jamie