The Weekly Feed: Experimentation Edition
Morning Roundup: Change Edition
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The experience of attending Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's acceptance speech at Invesco Field in Denver on Thursday night was, simply put, staggering. From the very long lines to board a shuttle bus, to the exponentially longer security lines to get inside the stadium, just the process of getting to your seat took about two hours. Once inside however, the effect of such an imposing, enormous arena having been turned into a political spectacle was undeniably impressive. The sheer scale of the thing was difficult to take in. Veteran journalists who have covered a dozen conventions could be overheard on the stadium floor saying things like, "I've never seen anything like this." It was easy to believe them.
For most of the attendees, Obama was but a tiny figure standing at a podium far, far away. The view from the District of Columbia's section of the floor wasn't great, but considering we could technically see the stage, it was by no means the worst seat in the house. The poor souls who were told they had 50 yard line seats in the stands, only to discover they were actually sitting behind the stately, Greek temple-themed stage set, were much less fortunate.
The fire marshal issue again came up at the larger venue, though it seemed only to affect the actual floor section where the delegates were sitting, atop the football field. Sometime around 5 p.m. local time, access to the floor became limited, and by 6 p.m. no one else was allowed through.
Notable for the D.C. delegation watchers:
- Mayor Fenty actually did join his fellow delegates on the floor, arriving at about 5 p.m. local time and taking the time to pose for photos with anyone who asked. Fenty had been notably absent from most other delegation functions during the week, with the exception of the voting rights rally at the U.S. Mint. The mayor did disappear for about 90 minutes, but eventually came back to sit with the delegation during Obama's speech. He even waved the big American flag handed out to each delegation toward the end of the speech.
- Ward 8 Council member Marion Barry was there, having gotten his hands on an extra floor pass for the first time all week. Barry, who is not a delegate but came to the convention for the schmoozing, reportedly spent the week going to a lot of parties, and never made it inside the Pepsi Center.
- Ward 4 Council member Muriel Bowser was interviewed by The Daily Show's John Oliver right on the floor, about 45 minutes before Obama's speech began. It was far too loud to hear what they talked about, but Oliver and Bowser were dancing during the entire bit. Could Bowser become the fake news show's new favorite D.C. gal, replacing Eleanor Holmes Norton? We'll have to wait and see if the segment makes it into the show.
As for being on the floor during the speech itself, it was just as exhausting, loud and fun as you might expect. I frankly need to watch a recording of the speech again, since the roar of the stadium often kept me from being able to hear certain words, and the urge to people watch was a constant distraction.
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so Barry went all the way to Denver to score some hookers and crack?
love that look on fenty's face.
Council member Muriel Bowser was interviewed by The Daily Show's John Oliver...Could Bowser become the fake news show's new favorite D.C. gal, replacing Eleanor Holmes Norton?
Correct me if I am wrong but I think Eleanor Holmes Norton is a favorite of Stephen Colbert (Colbert Report) not the Daily Show. I have seen her on the Colbert show a number of times and Colbert seems to like her. I can't recall her being on the Daily show other than perhaps in a clip segment or something.
wow sommer, fenty doesn't look happy with you
Maybe the sun's in hizzoner's eyes?
maybe he doesn't like being called out on his absenteeism/tardiness.