Topic: Live from the DNC
Today's the day when Sen. John Kerry will formally accept the nomination as the Democratic candidate for President of the United States of America. The Fleet should be packed to the rafters tonight.
As full as it was on Monday for the Clintons, Dean, Gore and company, and on Tuesday for Teresa Heinz Kerry, last night was completely sardine city for attendees there to hear Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and Sen. John Edwards, the Democrat's choice for VP on this year's ticket. By 6 pm, nearly every seat, all the way up to the top row was filled, or saved. By 7:45 pm, the concourses were filled with people milling about, trying to figure out where to go - many making calls on their cells, trying to find friends and seats. Many resorted to huddling in the hallways around the many flat screen TV monitors positioned around the Fleet.
Even with the SRO situations, people by the hundreds were still filing into the convention hall at 8:30 pm - many being VIPs with reserved seating. No use showing up for all the early speeches when you've got a luxury suite waiting for you. Besides, most of the protesters, other than the anti-abortion guy with the way too loud bullhorn, were already gone for the night, making passage into the Fleet a tad easier.
With the festivities reaching a peak tonight, I'm betting the Fleet will fill up earlier than yesterday. The question: Fight the crowds or go watch the event from the DemsDate.com party? The women promoting that event were walking around in short skirts, wearing tight, tied-off T-shirts reading, "Smart. Sexy. & Liberal." Hmmmm, decisions, decisions.
Now, then. Onto today's mail bag. A reader from Waltham asks, "How are people at the convention about cell phone use?" Well, EVERYONE is on their cell at all times, either calling, texting, or pretending to call so they can take pictures unobtrusively. *cough* Most people are pretty courteous and friendly about things. Again, it's not like being in the Fleet Center for a Bruins vs. Flyers game.
One of the faithful readers from Cali asked about the average age of the delegates. I think you're right, it may be close to 50 from what I've seen. But, those are just the 4,300 people down on the floor. When you look at all the attendees, which includes supporters, guests, media, etc. the average age drops quickly. Given the Dean factor, there may be more people under the age of 24 at this convention than at any previous one.
From Newton Corner comes this question, "Are there a lot of Love Connections happening at the Convention?" Hmmm, good question. Personally, no; however, I've been to enough conventions in my life to know what happens when people have hotel rooms, expense reports, and booze (though none in the Fleet :( - I mean, people even hook up at comic book conventions.....so, it's a safe bet it's happening here, too.
That's all the time for this morning's mail bag and sum up. Off to cover the last day. If you have any tips, questions, etc. for today, call or text me at 617-823-4242.
Posted by Jamie
at 9:54 AM EDT
