Daylin's Denver Digest (8/25/2008)
Welcome to Daylin’s Denver Digest a.k.a inside info from the ultimate insider (or at least as “ultimate” as someone who was invited to none of the parties and will be wrestled to the ground if he tries to get near someone important can be).
Sunday, 10:15 AM: – I remember my first Democratic National Convention. It was 1988. Dexies Midnight Runners were all over the radio (maybe that was 1978?). I was young, with a thick head of hair rimming my bald-spot. And I was full of the sort of irrational exuberance that only political self-delusion can give you. Michael Dukakis was going to win in a landslide, what with all that charisma and all.
You see political conventions are all about hope and promise. You are in a new city, surrounded by people who think like you. Everything from the bling and the swag (I’m so hip) to the street-lights and pizza boxes have your hero’s name and/or face on it. The fact is that all of the group-think and hero worship render defeat unimaginable.
As I strap myself into my roomy and comfortable seat in coach, my mind drifts back to highlights of previous conventions I’ve attended. This is actually my sixth consecutive convention. I’ve now officially been to more national conventions than I had dates in high school. I’m very proud of that. I lean back in my seat and hear a faint “ouch” from the lady behind me and I drift into a sweet sleep, dreaming of landslides. If Barack Obama is looking for hope, he’s going to the right place.
SUNDAY, 8:20 PM: - I have arrived at the opening reception. All political conventions are, at bottom, large parties. Tonight there are several thousand people here to eat Bison which is delicious. I have been a vegetarian for 20 years, but I make an exception for endangered species. After the reception there is a welcoming concert with Dave Matthews Band, Sheryl Crow, and some country singer who apparently loves to sing about the juxtaposition of pick-up trucks and “cheat’n cowboys”.
The event is held at Red Rock, which is a huge venue surrounded by red rocks, which proves that the folks in Ocean View don’t have a monopoly on clever names. It is truly one of the more breathtaking sites I have ever seen and the concert is perfect, except for the refusal of the country band to pay the Allman Brother’s “Whippin’ Post” despite my repeated requests.
The party exemplifies one of the unique phenomena of political conventions. Every party is surreally populated by people you have seen on television your whole life. If you look to our left you may see Caroline Kennedy talking to Katie Couric. To your left Barbara Streisand might be giving her phone number to Kid Rock. Straight ahead, perhaps George Clooney is beating Woody Allen to a bloody pulp. It’s really very strange. Tonight I spoke to Governor and VP finalist Tim Kaine and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. I’m quite certain that in their blogs they mention having spoken to me.
Stay tuned for more from Denver…
Sunday, 10:15 AM: – I remember my first Democratic National Convention. It was 1988. Dexies Midnight Runners were all over the radio (maybe that was 1978?). I was young, with a thick head of hair rimming my bald-spot. And I was full of the sort of irrational exuberance that only political self-delusion can give you. Michael Dukakis was going to win in a landslide, what with all that charisma and all.
You see political conventions are all about hope and promise. You are in a new city, surrounded by people who think like you. Everything from the bling and the swag (I’m so hip) to the street-lights and pizza boxes have your hero’s name and/or face on it. The fact is that all of the group-think and hero worship render defeat unimaginable.
As I strap myself into my roomy and comfortable seat in coach, my mind drifts back to highlights of previous conventions I’ve attended. This is actually my sixth consecutive convention. I’ve now officially been to more national conventions than I had dates in high school. I’m very proud of that. I lean back in my seat and hear a faint “ouch” from the lady behind me and I drift into a sweet sleep, dreaming of landslides. If Barack Obama is looking for hope, he’s going to the right place.
SUNDAY, 8:20 PM: - I have arrived at the opening reception. All political conventions are, at bottom, large parties. Tonight there are several thousand people here to eat Bison which is delicious. I have been a vegetarian for 20 years, but I make an exception for endangered species. After the reception there is a welcoming concert with Dave Matthews Band, Sheryl Crow, and some country singer who apparently loves to sing about the juxtaposition of pick-up trucks and “cheat’n cowboys”.
The event is held at Red Rock, which is a huge venue surrounded by red rocks, which proves that the folks in Ocean View don’t have a monopoly on clever names. It is truly one of the more breathtaking sites I have ever seen and the concert is perfect, except for the refusal of the country band to pay the Allman Brother’s “Whippin’ Post” despite my repeated requests.
The party exemplifies one of the unique phenomena of political conventions. Every party is surreally populated by people you have seen on television your whole life. If you look to our left you may see Caroline Kennedy talking to Katie Couric. To your left Barbara Streisand might be giving her phone number to Kid Rock. Straight ahead, perhaps George Clooney is beating Woody Allen to a bloody pulp. It’s really very strange. Tonight I spoke to Governor and VP finalist Tim Kaine and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. I’m quite certain that in their blogs they mention having spoken to me.
Stay tuned for more from Denver…
posted by DNC blogger at
10:37 AM
3 Comments:
Hi Daylin!
Your first post is a hoot, and the "kid" from Radnor Twp is not doing badly either -
http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/geraldl/blog.html
Now you play nice with all the kids, and watch out for PUMAs. We hear they bite...
Your pals in Ardmore look forward to seeing you September 5th!!
http://www.saveardmorecoalition.org/node/2448
Brett and I saw the back of your head on C-Span! We are making a drinking game out of spotting Pennsylvanians we know. Rob McCord is rocking out on the convention floor as I type this. If we see you again, we have to chug.
Daylin,
It's great to see you blogging again, I am sure that you had a blast partying in Denver. Back home here in Lower Merion we were working hard to pay for the over the top staff bonuses that the PA House gave out. Thanks again for all your help, and sorry about that pay raise you needed so much, it is just that what you did is against the PA Constitution.
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