Democrats in Denver

2009-01-20T16:08:00.000-08:00

Someone lost his nametag.

2009-01-20T16:05:00.000-08:00

People stake out their claims for the inaugural parade.

2009-01-20T16:03:00.000-08:00

Anyone for an Obama beer?

2009-01-20T16:01:00.000-08:00

The litter begins to take over!

2009-01-20T16:00:00.000-08:00

Vendors sell their wares next to the porta-potties for everyone's convenience.

FRAGMENTS OF A HISTORIC INAUGURATION

2009-01-20T14:46:00.001-08:00

Union Station
10:30 a.m.

The vendors in the basement-level food court are doing a booming business in both food and memorabilia. I buy Obama stocking caps, calendars, buttons, t-shirts. I look for earrings because I saw someone wearing them, but they no longer exist. People are actually catching trains, while about 500 of us try to watch the ceremony on a television. Security guards yell, “Keep moving, keep moving.” We all just laugh. President Bush appears on the podium. People boo. A tall black man standing next to me shakes his head. I ask him if he’s doing so because he agrees with them or because he disagrees. He says neither one – he’s disgusted by Bush AND the booers.

On the first level, things are being prepared for tonight’s ball in the main lobby. I think half of Chicago is here.

Vendors hawk outside the station next to some of the 5,000 porta-potties. A vendor plays Obama’s Berlin speech on the CD player in his car, in order to sell copies of it. A t-shirt vendor chants over and over, “America, we’ve had a plugged-up toilet for the past 8 years, and now we’re flushing it down.”

I’m now behind the Capitol building. It’s packed.

Someone yells, “Read the Bible. It says to kill those fuckers.” (who, it’s not clear)

A young woman shouts, “Free inauguration buttons." I take one. She says, “It’s to show your support for traditional marriage.” I give it back.

A woman rides on the back of someone’s electric wheelchair. Another woman rests on the seat of her walker. People go by with canes and crutches.

We hear about six gunshots. Because we can’t see, we aren’t sure if it’s an attack. When we realize what it is, we cheer.

Obama is about to speak. Suddenly, dozens of people access the speech on their cell phones. As if on cue, we all huddle around the holders of the phones, as if around campfires or in prayer. I’m with a young Asian-looking woman holding up her phone while her boyfriend holds onto her shoulders. Two middle-aged African-American women in mink coats and hats and new Ugg boots stand next to me, along with a tall elegantly dressed white guy. We stand there, united in an intense, strange fellowship. I find myself crying uncontrollably when I look down and notice that the two women are clutching hands tightly. The boyfriend gently zips up the Asian girl’s coat more snugly so she can still hold out the cell phone for us all to hear.

I head out towards downtown. I go through security to get to Pennsylvania Avenue. I notice a large pile of contraband bananas, apple and oranges next to the woman who pats me down. People are lining up for the parade. I could actually get a spot and see, but I’d have to wait about two hours for it to start. If I would leave the spot to use one of the 5,000 toilets, my spot would be gone. I also have no food, and the few restaurants in the area have lines wrapping around the block.

I start heading toward downtown. People. Vendors. Emergency vehicles. Sirens. Flags. Buttons and more buttons. Smiles and more smiles. People are starting to tire out. They sit on planters, on doorsteps, eating sandwiches. I realize I’m hungry. I see an oasis – the National Portrait Gallery is open. The silence is almost startling. It’s almost like being in church. People sit quietly on benches, decompressing. The café inside the atrium is spacious. The coffee is hot and strong. The restrooms are empty. I consider viewing some exhibits, but I’m too wound up.

We all wander around just feeling good. I hear someone say, “I didn’t see a thing, but I’ll never forget this day.” Amen.

2009-01-19T13:23:00.000-08:00

People are buying and selling as if their lives depend on it. It's pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty wild!

2009-01-19T13:22:00.001-08:00

Are these people waiting in the parade reviewing stands until tomorrow????

2009-01-19T13:21:00.000-08:00

Take all the nice things I said about the Metro the other day with a giant grain of salt. Things have changed. I got on the Red Line in Bethesda. So far, so good. Once I got to Metro Center and had to change to the Orange Line, the crowds started. Metro etiquette was a foreign language to them. They stood two abreast on the escalators so nobody could pass them. The stood in front of the doors so people couldn’t get in or out easily. They shouted. They ate. They drank. Our unseen drive was clearly stressed. Excerpts from his running commentary:

“There are 24 doors, not one. We have eight cars, 24 doors. If both sides would open up, we’d have 48 doors. Six times eight – that’s 48!”

“Please exit in all three doors in each car. You will not lose the person you are with.”

“There are only about ten people in car one and many, many people in those cars in the middle. Please consider ALL the cars. And remember, there are 24 doors. Use them all.”

“I’m just trying to give you a little humor.”

“Thank you for your cooperation.”

The mood was festive. African-American women dressed to the nines: mink coats, leopard-spotted fur hats, heavy gold jewelry. Men wearing Obama scarves, Obama stocking caps, Obama baseball caps. People with kids, babies, grandmothers and grandfathers who could barely go up and down the escalator. The escalator stalls. People haltingly stepping up one of the longest escalators in DC. Looks like a mile!

It takes me more than a half-hour to get from the train up the escalator and out onto the street at Capitol South. That’s because apparently every single congressperson told their constituents to come between 10 and noon Monday to pick up their inauguration tickets. I’m to go to the Longworth Building for my tickets at Collin Peterson’s office. The line is about four deep and winds around the entire building, which is about as big as the Minnesota State Capitol. It’s a bit discouraging. But everyone is smiling and talking.

I wait in line about 45 minutes. At this pace I’ll get in in another hour. I give up. I convince my contact in Rep. Peterson’s office to give my two tickets to a student of mine who did get into the building earlier.

Getting back on the Metro is no easier than getting off. They finally just wave people through without tickets. I stop at Metro Center to get souvenirs. It’s crazy. Vendors are everywhere, including inside the Metro. They’re hustled off by security guards, but they keep coming back.

I spend $60 on two mugs, a t-shirt and refrigerator magnets and somehow think I’ve gotten a bargain because it’s hard to even get in line to pay.

The cacophony of voices includes languages I recognize and many I don’t – French, German, Spanish (of course), Arabic, languages of India, Eastern Europe, Chinese, Japanese, African languages. It’s an international love-fest. People are already sitting in the reviewing stands for tomorrow’s parade. Are they going to sleep there?

Will we brave the crowds tomorrow? Stay tuned.

2009-01-18T18:23:00.000-08:00

The view from the balcony at the Newseum is breathtaking, but today it was slightly blocked by a long row of porta-potties in place for Tuesday's parade. As comedian Mark Russell pointed out the other night, "Do the math: they have 5,000 porta-potties for an expected two million people!"

2009-01-18T18:21:00.000-08:00

The Newseum allowed visitors to vote for which kind of dog the First Family should get. I voted for the mutt.

2009-01-18T18:17:00.000-08:00

We visited the Newseum yesterday, a museum of journalism. This is a billion-dollar project right on Pennsylvania Avenue. Well worth going to! I spent 6 hours there and didn't even scratch the surface! Believe it or not, they had Timothy McVeigh's cabin right there, along with a 4-D movie, many other documentary screens, a history section, Pulitzer Prize photo section, etc., etc. Admission is $10 and worth every penny.

2009-01-18T18:10:00.000-08:00

MY STUDENTS AND I POSED WITH MD. SHAMEEM AHSAN, THE POLITICAL MINISTER AT THE EMBASSY OF BANGLADESH. Ahsan did an admirable job of welcoming us as "honored guests" in his formal introduction of the ambassador and even tried to pronounce my name!

2009-01-18T18:06:00.000-08:00

OUR VISIT TO THE BANGLADESH EMBASSY

It's obvious that the party is on around the entire globe. This came home to me and my students Friday during our visit to the Embassy of Bangladesh. The ambassador himself -- M. Humayun Kabir -- gave our group of 20 people an intelligent, prepared speech. In it he noted that we have made history by electing an African-American as president. “That is the strength of America,” he explained. “He will be a dignitary for the entire world.” He said our election affected the one they had in late December. The people chose hope, he said, and rejected the radical right candidates. He said we now live in a “norm-driven world” in which issues such as justice, freedom and human rights are getting harder and harder to deny people when they see what others have.

The man exuded such a sense of solemnity and dignity that it brought tears to my eyes. Then they proceeded to feed us potato samosa with mint sauce and a sweet yellow cake with tea and coffee. I found the tears welling up again.

This is a country where the average annual income is less than $500 per year, where its citizens have endured a bloody war of independence less than 40 years ago and have endured horrific natural and man-made disasters ever since – and they’re feeding us and are thanking us for electing Barack Obama. I was humbled and I think my students were too.

2009-01-18T18:00:00.000-08:00

A WORD ABOUT THE METRO:

I love the public transportation here out on the East Coast. It’s actually used by everyone, it’s open until late at night, it’s clean, well-signed and most people follow proper etiquette, e.g., no eating or drinking and moving away from doors when people go in or out. I’m not sure what will happen this year, but I remember seeing people riding in their tuxedos and ball gowns the night of the inauguration. It was more fun than actually attending a ball (which my daugher and I did once as volunteers).

It’s been quite a week – between no sleep and the bitter cold, we were all worn down to nubs. A word about the cold here: I hate to admit it, because it does no good for the image of Minnesotans as tough, but I’ve never been so cold in Minnesota as I have in D.C. I remember the wind chill being way below zero at Clinton’s second inauguration; last week was gruesome, especially with the wind. Most of the problem is due to the fact that people here actually have to walk places instead of running inside from a warm car to a warm house or workplace. I end up walking about five miles a day just getting around town here; and to keep up with everyone else, I have to maintain a brisk pace. I actually feel healthier after two weeks here.

But I digress. A couple of statistics: The warmest presidential inauguration day was for Ronald Reagan in 1981, when it was 55 degrees. The coldest was in 1985 for Reagan’s second inauguration, when it was 7 degrees. Pres. William Henry Harrison died of pneumonia after only one month in office because he refused to wear a coat at his inauguration in 1841, when he gave the longest inaugural address in American history – one hour and 40 minutes!

2009-01-18T17:58:00.000-08:00

C-SPAN AND STEVE SCULLY

For two mornings this week, our group of 700 was the audience for the C-Span morning call-in show with Steve Scully and for Brian Lamb’s interview show. I think we acquitted ourselves well. So many of our students lined up to ask questions that we could never get through them all. They were a curious and well-spoken crowd. We got to hear Juan Williams of NPR and Brett Baer of Fox News and a husband-wife team who spent three months in Iowa working for the Obama campaign.

Quotable quotes:

“Obama likes to be the Grand Decider.”

“News is now the province of the cable channels. Networks have moved away from it.”

“This inauguration will be a tremendous emotional moment that goes beyond the political.”

Juan Williams

“We finally realized we were too old to live on four hours of sleep, lots of caffeine and Cheetos.”

“We came away from Iowa with a great belief in the caucus process.”

Carol Wheeler about working on the Obama campaign in Iowa

“Three things will happen: The world will look at us differently; we will look at our country differently; and a significant portion of our population will look at themselves differently.”

Tom Wheeler about the Obama inauguration

2009-01-18T17:55:00.000-08:00

BRIAN LAMB, president and founder of C-Span

Lamb(once awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom), spent an hour interviewing us. Each student would come up to the mike, introduce him- or herself and he would interrogate each one in his own inimitable style that, as I recall, was brilliantly spoofed on SNL one time. They seemed to really like it. His questions included: What is the most interesting thing you’ve seen thus far? Why did you come here? Why do you study philosophy? What do you think of Barack Obama? Why do you care about Darfur? Do you want to live in D.C.? Why or why not? I gotta ask you about that tie (a Barack Obama tie). Where do you think you’ll be in ten years? What are your expectations for this new president? What do you read? Tell us something about your country (for those from other countries) that we don’t know.

2009-01-18T17:53:00.000-08:00

TED KOPPEL, former host of ABC News Nightline

Koppel asked for a show of hands in answer to his question: How many of you think you should consider the consequences of what you do as a journalist? Most people voted yes, of course. And, of course, it was a trick question. His point was that since it’s impossible to predict what the consequences will be, you should focus on accuracy and objectivity. You can’t be responsible for the consequences 99.5% of the time. He gave Rwanda and Somalia as examples of “blowback” from media attention when, in fact, one would think that media attention would have been helpful. Impossible to know.

He also gave his interpretation of television news history. Until 1968 when “60 Minutes” first aired, he said, television news was a “loss leader.” However, when “60 Minutes” started making money, television news became just another “cost center.” He sees the future of citizen journalism as both good and bad – we can all be journalists, but there’s no quality control. He cites NPR radio as a success story. Morning Edition now has more than 14 million listeners, which is more than the three TV networks combined. However, their funding keeps getting cut.

He also had something to say about the war in Iraq. It’s similar to Vietnam in that there were misperceptions by our government about the situation: in Vietnam it was the now discredited “domino theory” and in Iraq it was the WMD theory. The difference, he said, is that we absolutely can’t let the Middle East descend into chaos. But, he added, it’s a mistake to look at all these crises in the world as separate issues. There are “threads” all over the world that tie together.

“No matter how cynical I get, I can’t keep up.”
Ted Koppel quoting Lily Tomlin as Ernestine

2009-01-18T17:51:00.000-08:00

CLARENCE PAGE, columnist, Chicago Tribune

“Reuters and Bloomberg News are doing well because they don’t do paper, just content.”

“Yesterday’s news is today’s commentator.”

“Politics is like Wall Street or Las Vegas: you never use your own money.”

“Newspapers will continue to be around – they’re like jazz. You have to be educated to appreciate it.”

“My generation got out there and played by the rules and lost. This generation won.”

“Chicago is the only city that associates Valentine’s Day with a massacre.”

Clarence’s history of the description of descendants of slaves: We went from colored people to Negroes to blacks to African Americans to people of color. We’ve come full circle!

He’s encouraged that Obama’s speech on race is getting many more hits on YouTube than the Rev. Wright.

“Sensationalism? We prefer to call it excitement.”
(Clarence Page quoting Rupert Murdoch)

2009-01-18T17:48:00.000-08:00

JOHN WALCOTT, McClatchy News Washington Bureau Chief

We visited Walcott in his office and heard a very smart man with impressive experiences give us sound advice. He told the students they had to learn at least one other language in order to compete in the global job market. He himself has worked in 83 countries.

He led an investigation of how we got into Iraq (the only news agency to do so) when he was still working for Knight Ridder (which was later acquired by McClatchy). They won many awards for their work, and he gave a wonderful speech at the National Press Club that can be accessed online.

He attributes their success with this series partly to the fact that they wrote from military towns rather than from D.C. “We wrote it for them,” he said. He said many of the reporters in McClatchy who volunteer to go work in Iraq are Arab-American women.

He recommended we read two things: a book by Paul Starr called THE CREATION OF THE MEDIA and the series on Guantanamo by reporter Tom Lasseter.

QUOTABLE QUOTES:

“A democracy cannot function without someone standing outside the circle of poer who doesn’t want to be in the circle asking the hard questions.”

“These guys [politicians] are like a bunch of whining children who need a babysitter. Washington is very seductive.”

“To do reporting right, it’s a blue-collar job.”

“ I don’t think the Obama team has been forthcoming [to the news media].”

“We need this president to succeed – we ALL do. . .I think there is a liberal bias [in the news media], but I do not think Barack Obama got a free pass.”

We're Now Dems in D.C.!!!!

2009-01-12T16:52:00.000-08:00

Sunday, Jan. 9, 2009
Washington, D.C.

So. . .I'm back in D.C. (I LOVE this city!) -- once again, under the auspices of The Washington Center. The Center has brought more than 700 college students here to gain academic credit for an intensive, 7-day academic seminar preparing us for one of the most historic presidential inaugurations in American history. I, personally, am responsible for seeing that 11 Minnesota students -- 3 from my home institution of Bemidji State University and 8 from the University of St. Thomas -- learn something and have a memorable experience. I think we're on track.

As usual, it's the people who impress me the most, although the architecture, museums, restaurants and cultural life are all big draws. Although we heard some high-profile speakers yesterday, including reporter Dana Bash of CNN; Steve Bell, former host of "Good Morning America" and professor emeritus of Ball State University; and Professor Michael Genovese, author of the book we're all reading ("Memo to a New President"), the person I'll remember most is our bus driver who guided us expertly around DC for the benefit of the newcomers. Richard, a tall, gangly, bald African-American man who joked that we could remember our bus by the driver with the "big afro," was a genius. He not only drove us around effortlessly (or so it seemed) for 3 hours in DC traffic, but held a microphone in one hand and gave us a running commentary on EVERYTHING. I've had this tour about 20 times, but never was it so intelligent, in-depth and quirky. This is the first time I've ever had a guide stop by a section of Arlington Cemetery and show us the unmarked graves of slaves. I never knew they existed. He had stories that never ended. Hurray Richard!

In talking with one of my students, I learned that this is the first time in his life he's using public transportation. Others said they had very little, if any, experience with it themselves. It's hard for me to imagine, since I rode streetcars until I was about 6 (that really dates me!), and started riding busses on my own at about age 10. It's a different world. Hopefully, they will see more public transport in their future, rather than less!

Monday, Jan. 11, 2009

One of today's highlights was an hour-long talk by Marc Pachter, the Director Emeritus of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and the National Museum of American History. He gave a slide show, with ample commentary, on presidential portraits. He was so good that I was inspired to ask my students if they wanted to spend the afternoon in the Portrait Gallery. I've been there once, and remembered it as worth seeing just for the architecture. Being an adventurous group, they eagerly agreed to my plan, and we had a wonderful time. I went straight for the presidential portrait gallery, and was not disappointed. It's curious to learn (from the portrait descriptions) about how so many presidents were really sort of failed, when we think of most of them as great. Pachter didn't hesitate to give his opinion about the incoming president. He believes in the theory that what you want in a president is a first-class intellect AND a first-class temperament, but if you must choose, the temperament is more important. He suggested that Obama will be only the second president to possess both, the first being Lincoln. I hope he's right. I also loved his description of John McCain's personality -- a "Western straightforwardness."

But before we inbibed culture, we had to imbibe some chili at Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street. It may mean nothing to you, dear reader, but this is where our president-to-be dined a few days ago. The place was packed, and Reuters even had a cameraman and reporter there (were they just late or what?) who filmed us, since we were the oddest people in the place. It had the feel of Micky's Diner in St. Paul or Al's Breakfast in Minneapolis. Without knowing it, I ordered the same thing Barack had -- a "half smoked chili dog." Don't ask. Let's just say it was full of many things not good for overweight Americans. I can say that if Barack can eat these and say skinny, he must smoke a lot or work out a lot.

Tomorrow we visit McClatchy News Service and talk to the man who headed up one of the few investigations of why Pres. Bush took us to war -- BEFORE it became the popular thing to do. Stay tuned.

The Dude Does His Thing at the Bemidji Wool Duds Factory

2008-10-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

So I park my red Prius in the driveway of the Beltrami County Transfer Station, where I usually go to feed my garbage to the trash-cruncher. I figure my car may be a target, but I'm surprised to see a grey Prius parked closer to the Woolen Mills factory in the Industrial Park just south of downtown Bemidji. My car is one of hundreds here tonight to see THE FIRST DUDE, who, we suspect, will be talking about how God wants us to keep our guns, women included.

A tiny band of Obama supporters stand bravely visible near a little guy in a glowing yellow pinny waving in traffic to the factory parking lot. "Just go home!" he screams at them between waves. They scream back at him, then continue standing with their Obama signs.

The factory floor is filling up fast. People climb up on mountains of blue, red, yellow and black bobbins used to weave blankets, checkered stiff jackets and flap caps. They climb up on chairs by the rows of sewing machines. They climb up on cafeteria tables, avoiding the salt and pepper shakers.

A retired BSU music professor accompanies the lusty lyrics of "God Bless America" on a SongBank Keyboard, then moves seamlessly on to "Amazing Grace." The music stops. We stand around. Nobody gives a speech. It's 6:45. THE DUDE is 15 minutes late and the crowd is getting restless. Nobody can see the front because of all the bobbins, sewing machines, yellow spirals of electrical cords hanging from the rafters and piles of wool. I spy a colleague of mine who is on sabbatical leave on top of a pile of bobbins taking photos. Everyone looks kind of linty.

I am able to see several lanyards hanging from the upper level, where four or five local reporters are hanging out, including the only Native American I see in the pole barn structure:

"Country First"
"Reform Prosperity Peace"

"Darn, we should have brought McCain signs," shouts a woman wearing a "Women for Palin" button.

Just as I'm about to give up, things start to happen. I hear a voice thanking Bill Batchelder for offering his factory floor for this event. Bill is in tan and orange hunting gear. His dad wears a Bemidji Woolen Mills black and red checked jacket with a machine embroidered white sheep on his back.

I hear bits and pieces of what they say, although I can't see a thing (neither can anyone else, unless they're atop the bobbins):

"Small business owners"
"Bemidji, Minnesota, and Wasilla, Alaska, are a lot alike"
"Protecting our environment. . .using our resources"
"Protecting those who can't protect themselves"

I hear a sweet young female voice. It's the chairperson of the BSU college Republicans. "We may go to college," she says, "but you know what? We're not liberals!" Lots of cheers.

Finally, it's THE DUDE, but WE CAN'T SEE ANYTHING!!!

"American dream"
"It's nice to be in Minnesota. . .my closest friends are from Minnesota"
"Reduced taxes, reduced spending"
"Pork barrel projects"
"Government back to the people"

and his longest sentence:

"I should have asked a few more questions when she joined the PTA!!"

And it's over. Total speaking time? At least 3 minutes.

He's given a wool jacket. I can't tell what color it is because I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING!! It must be too big, because they say they'll give him a smaller one later.

He's given some kind of bobblehead. I can't tell what kind. Nobody can, except the 10 people up front. Why don't they put him on top of a sewing machine table or a pile of bobbins????

He's given several religious pictures from Heartland Christian Academy.

As I scuttle out the door, a comely young woman tries to hand me a brochure. "Do you know Tim Tingelstad?" she asks. I do. He is running for the State Supreme Court. He has a prayer clock on his Website, where the word "God" appears about 50 times.

As I head to my Prius, a couple are walking towards the pole barn. "Is he here yet?" asks the young man.

"He's here and gone," I tell him.

"What the hell?" I hear him say as I return to the trash collection site. It's time to go home.

Journalists without a home

2008-09-01T19:14:00.000-07:00

One guy works on the street. One works on the concrete floor of the Invesco Field.

Dems in Denver: Generation Gap or A New Generation of Hope?

2008-09-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

Denver – August 28

Much has been made of the friction in the Democratic Party coming into this Convention here in Denver: the Kennedy clan vs. the Clinton clan; Barack vs. Bill; Bill vs. Hillary; the Hillary supporters (or “followers,” as pundit and former presidential candidate Pat Buchanen put it) and mysterious forces within the Democratic Party which kept her from getting the nomination. Those real or perceived squabbles were resolved Wednesday night in a dramatic and emotional display of Party unity. If it wasn’t real, it was at least a good show.

Everyone rose to the occasion, and if you think about it in terms of the generational shift in power, it’s not hard to see why it was painful, divisive and melodramatic. This is my third convention, and it was the first time that the action inside the Hall was more interesting than what went on outside the Hall. I would suggest this week in Denver marks a permanent shift in the Washington power structure from my generation that came of age in the 60s to those who were born in the 60s. I believe we did something right during that decade because we produced people like Barack Obama.

It was people like the Kennedys, still linked to WWII, who heard the voices of civil rights activists in the 50s and early 60s and took those first important steps for minorities. Life for Obama’s mother and her African husband must have been difficult, even then. I remember when interracial couples did not appear often in public, even in the North. But the Kansan and the Kenyan defied convention, which must have put a lot of strain on the relationship.

It was my generation (which includes the Clintons, Jesse Jackson and many others) that continued this fight for rights of minorities, and, along the way, added women, gays and lesbians, and the disabled to the list. After forty years, this inclusivity has changed the face of American politics and been an inspiration to the rest of the world.

It must have been really hard for Hillary to give up the chance for another “first” for women. After all, she’s paid her dues, and she’s still young (these days 61 is young) and she has acquired so much knowledge. What she didn’t count on (who could?) was the fact that the miracle generation created in the 60s is ready. Where did the time go? It hardly seems possible; therefore, it was said that Obama was too young (he’s older than Bill Clinton when he was elected President); that it was a woman’s turn (is there a rule that women get their chance before black men?); that he was “unelectable” for either specific or vague reasons.

When all is said and done, though, the Democratic Party should be proud, our maligned 60s generation should be proud and American should be proud. Barack Obama is the new face of America, and all that so many people worked on for during the past 50 years has made it possible. The rest of the world is watching in amazed delight and with hope – hope that what this fascinating younger generation can continue what was started at least a half-century ago will be the start of a great new world.

Protesters picnic at the Capitol

2008-09-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

Winona LaDuke Puppet

2008-09-01T19:09:00.001-07:00

Where have all the protesters gone? Gone to Denver Every One!

2008-09-01T19:06:00.000-07:00

Downtown Denver, Aug. 24

As I walked down the 16th Street Mall toward Union Station on this hot Sunday afternoon, I found myself face to face with them. Thousands of protesters were headed to the Pepsi Center to register their complaints. Their signs, t-shirts, puppets and other communication methods gave some indication of their causes, which boiled down to two major categories: the war in Iraq and health care.

Messages included the usual and the creative: “Peace out man”; “Send texts, not troops”; “Drop beats, not bombs,” “Peace please”; “Fund the wounded, not the war”; “Stop murder for oil.” Some offered alternatives to war: “Healthcare, not warfare”; “Make out, not war”; “Books, not bombs”; “Grow pumpkins, not wars.”

Some minced no words: “Arrest Bush” or “Fuck the war.” Some were verbose: “Misleading Congress and the American people in an attempt to destroy Medicare,” and “We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love; We must meet physical force with soul force.”

One, no doubt inspired by the “Recreate ‘68” Website, was downright provocative: “No hope in capitalism; disrupt the DNC.” One man carried a giant puppet of a dark-haired woman. LaDuke, the White Earth resident who was Ralph Nader’s running mate in the 1996 and 2000 elections, was apparently the person symbolized, since her photo was glued onto the puppet’s chest, along with the word “Peace.”

My personal favorite was a black t-shirt with a simple, but elegant message: “Fix shit up.”

One young man carried a sign advertising the Website “worldcantwait.org.” When asked what it was the world can’t wait for, he looked at the sign as if in surprise and said he really didn’t know. Someone just gave him the sign.

Members of the well-respected and interesting women’s activist group “Code Pink” were easy to spot in their pink outfits, many on pink bicycles.

Hordes of law enforcement officials in full riot gear, on horses, motorcycles, bicycles or on foot, followed along. They were ready for terrorists. The demonstrators seemed ready for a party.

In fact, that’s what happened later on the front lawn of the Capitol building at the end of the 16th Street Mall.

By late afternoon, about a hundred demonstrators were left chopping garlic, cooking lentils, grilling veggies and slicing whole grain bread for all in attendance. Nearby panhandlers, however, sat on a retaining wall and declined the free meal.

One young woman wearing a Nader button and helping clean up the plastic dishes said she’s unhappy with the health care plans of both parties. “Nader’s is a single-payer plan,” she said. “That’s what we need.” A young man said he thought there should be more than two candidates in the upcoming debates. Several young people were upset that Obama never mentioned getting the contracted soldiers, such as those who work for Blackwater, out of Iraq.

A middle-aged man with a gray beard holding up an Obama sign for the benefit of those driving by, said he came from California with Nader and Obama campaign paraphernalia. He smiled. “It’s all about the slogans, isn’t it?” he said.

Perhaps these uncertain demonstrators, who exhibit more dissatisfaction than anger, unlike the truly angry people in Los Angeles in 2000 and Boston in 2004 are more representative of what the Democratic Party was like during the past eight years than now. During those two campaigns, the party offered detailed policy fixes while ignoring those who felt disenfranchised. This year, the party is offering a sort of vague, generalized “hope” based on anger at the past eight years, while these demonstrators worry about the devil that’s the details.

In a year when the balance may have lost focus on these details because the platforms of the two Democratic candidates were so similar, these outsiders may serve the purpose of keeping the eyes of Democrats on the prize. Charisma, and its flip side, character attacks, distract us from those details, but if Obama does get elected, those details will become important. That may be their message.

It was reported that the last remaining demonstrators slept on the Capitol grounds in the shape of a peace symbol last night. If that’s their final statement, they have served their purpose.

Louise Mengelkoch is a professor of journalism at Bemidji State University. She is serving as a faculty leader for The Washington Center, which has brought almost 400 college students to Denver for a two-week program centered on the Democratic National Convention. Her Convention blog is at www.demsindenver.blogspot.com.

Indonesian journalists

2008-09-01T18:57:00.000-07:00

Putra and Wahyu work for the most-watched Indonesian television news network. They interviewed me for their news show, and also some of my students. They both have wives back home who are due to have babies in early September! Get home, Putral and Wahyu!

Some of my students and I visit Invesco Field before Obama's speech

2008-09-01T18:54:00.001-07:00

The Best Political Science Class Ever: College Students Descend Upon Denver to be Eyewitnesses to History

2008-09-01T18:51:00.000-07:00

It’s hard to say if Denver is ready for this historic Democratic National Convention, but the 370 college students I’m with are not only ready, but they’ve already started their volunteer work, whether it’s with media outlets such as CNN or security for the Pepsi Center or interest groups such as Emily’s List or dozens of other organizations in need of live bodies and willing minds.

The students, along with some 30 faculty leaders and 20 staff of The Washington Center staff, which created this program, are staying in dorms at Regis University, a lovely campus designated as a national arboretum and located about four miles northwest of the Pepsi Center, where the Convention will be held.

We’ve been here a week already, being educated about the players and issues by a long list of prominent speakers, including Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, DNC Chairman Howard Dean, David O’Connor of the Secret Service and Steve Scully of C-Span. We also have Prof. Tom Cronin of Colorado College as our faculty director and Prof. Michael Genovese of Loyola Marymount University as our scholar in residence. Needless to say, our brains are full.

It’s fascinating to have their help to step back and look at this intense campaign from the distance of a social scientist and from a historical perspective. Prof. Cronin gave a lecture about contradictions and paradoxes, and how they affect our political thinking. For example, he pointed out that Americans seem to want a president who is a “common person, yet with uncommon genius.” We want someone who wields power, but yet we fear that power. We want someone with complete self-confidence, yet humble; someone who unifies, but is independently decisive; some who is “above politics, yet willing to do ‘business with the devil.’” It’s been a roller coaster ride for us all in trying to find this Platonic ideal, and it probably won’t happen anytime soon.

We heard from T. R. Reid, a Washington Post political reporter who has covered 13 conventions and dozens of elections and conventions in other countries. He said covering American conventions used to be fun, but it’s not anymore. “There’s no time for reflection, for partying or for composing good writing,” he said. Reporters have to do it all, including their own photos and video. “It’s not like it used to be.”

We heard what it used to be like from a different perspective than reporters. Wally Podrazik, the DNCC director of media logistics, reminded us that it was exactly 100 years ago that Denver hosted the last (and only other) Democratic Convention in its history. The candidate was William Jennings Bryan, the great orator. The featured technologies of the time for the media were the telegraph, a telephone filing center in the basement and 3,500 incandescent lights. He added that, at that time, the nominee did not appear at the convention. It was considered in poor taste. It wasn’t until Franklin D. Roosevelt was the nominee in 1932 that the speech was broadcast live on radio.

Between lectures and volunteer work, our students have gotten a preview of what’s coming Monday. We toured both the Pepsi Center, where the Convention proceedings will be held, and Invesco Field, where Sen. Obama will give his acceptance speech. Since Invesco had a football game scheduled for Friday night, there are only five days to complete the significant modifications to the field itself.

The Pepsi Center appeared ready for the event. The platform looked more like a stage set for television than anything intended for a live audience. The intense blue lights lent a strangely eerie cast to the largely empty hall. The networks (including Fox TV) have their skyboxes labeled and ready for action. The radio networks have their tables in the halls. The bloggers are relegated to a tent in the perimeter. The building is crawling with volunteers, all earnest but still a bit lost. They are, however, definitely excited.

Josh Peterson, a BSU student, and I are the only Minnesotans in our Washington Center group. Peterson is volunteering with CNN, and has already begun work with them doing the endless preparation for the biggest news political news event in four years. Our small group also includes a news anchor and cameraman from the most-watched television news show in Indonesia.

Tomorrow: Who are the protesters and what are they protesting?

Police also marched in formation.

2008-09-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

Police on Parade

2008-09-01T18:42:00.000-07:00

Somehow cops on bikes are not as threatening as Guys on Trucks with assault weapons.

Mike sells Obama buttons

2008-09-01T18:37:00.000-07:00

This Chicago college student is participating in the convention in his own way. Way to go, Mike!

Is Denver Ready? On the Streets This Weekend

2008-09-01T18:34:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning
Downtown Denver, 16th Street Mall & Tremont

Two young men in Barnes & Noble shirts wash the large picture windows of the store with lambswool on the end of long poles. Dozens of police in black with assault weapons walk down the mall in groups or ride black bicycles or Segways. They somberly search through the coleus, pansies and vinca vines in the hundreds of decorative pots lining the street and hanging from baskets. People of all ages in yellow shirts appear to be volunteer greeters for the host committee. Those in the purple shirts pick up trash, or drive by in purple trucks with watering equipment for all the flowers.

“Welcome to Denver” banners hang from the streetlights. A pair of street musicians strum guitars while singing golden oldies such as “Bye Bye Love.” A city employee applies an information sticker on a cigarette disposal bin. A middle-aged man in shorts and tennis shoes fires up his waffle iron for his vendor booth. He sells waffles with cherries, strawberries, tart cranberry and pineapple sauce and even kiwi fruit. His wife sits nearby in a director’s chair, sipping a Starbuck’s. She works for Denver Public Schools and says she worried about how to get to work next week because many streets will be blocked off, the bus schedule is changed and the light rail will not be in service.

A man buying a strawberry waffle is out of sorts because he’d planned to take his kids to Elitch Gardens amusement park on the edge of downtown. But it’s closed, he says, in preparation for the media party tonight. A tall, thin man with a gray beard asks if his waffle can be ready quickly. “I have an appointment with Obama at the Pepsi Center,” he jokes.

Fleets of helicopters provide a constant background buzz. Sirens are heard more frequently than they should be on a Saturday morning in a city this size. A skinny 22-year-old man named Mike holds a large board covered with Obama buttons, all designed by him. He’s a college student from Chicago majoring in graphic design who is visiting his girlfriend in Denver and thought he’d make some extra money. “I’m not voting for Obama,” he announces, “if he picks Hillary for his running mate.” When he is told that the announcement has been made and it’s Biden, he says he’s okay with that, and Obama will get his vote. Business is brisk but he finally gets the bum’s rush from a policeman.

He yells out to me as he escorted away. “Stop by again. I’ll be here all week.” He grins and turns around. Later I see him holding his board up to a car window showing his wares to the driver. A policeman across the street on a Segway ignores him.

The Convention is beginning.

Curious Factoids from our Speakers

2008-08-22T06:45:00.001-07:00

*Seven of the last ten presidential elections were won by Republicans
Prof. Tom Cronin

*Some elections are about issues, some about character and some about the political party; this one will be about all three.
Prof. Tom Cronin

*"The only one really comfortable with change is a wet baby." Do we really want change?
Prof. Michael Genovese

*There are two bold strategies:
1) Solidify your base, appeal to independents, and then move to the center for the undecideds
2) Solidify your base and then expand your base (the Karl Rove model)
Obama can't do either one until he solidifies the base, which must be done at this convention
Prof. Michael Genovese

*This convention will have an economic impact on Denver of $150-200 million. It will cost about $40 million, all of which was raised from private donors. The city was given $50 million from the justice Department for security.
Elbra Wedgeworth, President/Chair of the Denver Host Committee

100 years ago

2008-08-22T06:26:00.000-07:00

It's been exactly 100 years since Denver hosted the last (and only other) Democratic Convention in its history. The candidate was William Jennings Bryan, the great orator. Wally Podrazik, the DNCC director of media logistics, gave us a few fascinating factoids.

*The featured technologies were the telegraph, a telephone filing center in the basement and 3,500 incandescent lights.

*The nominee never appeared at the convention. It was considered in poor taste. This didn't happen until much later. FDR, in a radical move, flew to the convention in 1932 and gave an acceptance speech that was broadcast live via radio.

*So what happened on the fourth night, in lieu of a speech? The delegates cheered for one hour and ten minutes!

Wh is this race so close?

2008-08-22T06:10:00.000-07:00

Given that the Republicans have created such a mess, given that McCain is such a flawed candidate, why isn't Barack Obama 10 or even 20 points ahead in the polls? My theory is that Obama, even though he symbolizes some things we all yearn for -- change, something beyond bickering political styles, etc. -- he also symbolizes some things we fear: the future (which may include a lesser role for the U.S. in the world), internationalism, youth, non-Christians (never mind that he IS one, he evokes other religions, especially Islam), the Middle East, Asia, Africa, immigrants, our complicated relationship with African-Americans and all other minorities. That's a lot for many people to swallow in one person. I think he's doing so much better with younger voters because they don't fear those things nearly as much -- that's the world they know. He's one of them. And perhaps older women (who support him in fewer numbers) feel threatened because they see him as taking away from their time. It's a fact that white women have benefited more from affirmative action than African-American men. This breaks that paradigm. It must have been a very interesting choice for African-American women when Hillary was still in the game (although some would like to think she is). I hope someone studies that demographic group, because they're the ones who had to choose solely on issues beyond race and gender.

Enjoying an empty Invesco Field

2008-08-21T06:39:00.000-07:00

My group and I gathered here and wondered what the place would look like next week!

Invesco Field: A Preview

2008-08-21T06:33:00.000-07:00

Last night, all 400+ of us were the honored guests of The Washington Center and Regis University at Invesco Field. We were escorted to the club level on the top floor, where we enjoyed appetizers, drinks and the strains of live piano music. We had access to the field itself, so my group and I sat outside imagining what it will look like in one week when Barack Obama gives his acceptance speech before almost 100,000 people. Where will he stand? What will he say? Will it be the speech of a lifetime, as the pundits suggest it needs to be for him to get that much-needed "bounce" in the polls? Many thanks to both The Washington Center and Regis University for a magical evening!

Great Sound Bytes

2008-08-20T20:54:00.000-07:00

My students have been asked to document their most memorable "sound bytes" of each day, so I thought I'd put together my collection from my time here thus far:

"How does everyone put up with this long process?"
Canadian Student

"I just want to absorb everything!"
American Student

"The Delegates are in prison during the Convention."
Dr. Tom Cronin

"Obama has a lot of high hurdles in this mile-high city."
Dr. Tom Cronin

"All presidential candidates are like blind dates."
Dr. Tom Cronin

"Politics is the art of the possible."
Fr. Gregory Konz, Ph.D.

"Effective change necessitates action."
William Gohl, student body vice-president, Regis University

"Anyone who could get elected doesn't deserve it."
Adlai Stevenson

"For Barack Obama to win, he needs to make change tangible."
Dr. Michael Genovese

"It's important for you to know the impact of your work."
Rev. Leah D. Daughtry
DNC Committee, CEO and DNC Faith Outreach Leader

"Too much of the politics and religion conversation deals with the 'below the belt' questions."
Rev. Leah D. Daughtry
DNC Committee, CEO and DNC Faith Outreach Leader

"Reporting conventions used to be fun, but not anymore. Now we have to do it all and do it all the time."
T. R. Reid, reporter, Washington Post

"Media coverage must be NOW: live and linked."
Wally Podrazik, DNCC Director of Media Logistics

Paradoxes and Contradictions

2008-08-20T16:08:00.000-07:00

Our fearless faculty director, Prof. Tom Cronin, talked about how we want contradictory things in our presidents:

Someone who is a common person, yet with uncommon genius
Someone who is powerful, yet we fear that power
Someone who is visionary but pragmatic
Someone who is self-confident, yet humble
Someone who unifies us yet is decisive
Someone who is caring but is willing to do "business with the devil"
Someone who is above politics, but couldn't possibly win without those skills

The students were fascinated with this, and our discussion seemed to lead to many other paradoxes and contradictory situations in politics and, specifically, in this presidential contest. We're going to keep an eye to these during the next ten days.

The Red Rocks Amphitheatre

2008-08-20T16:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a view of the stage from the highest point. What an experience it would be on a pleasant summer evening!

The Red Rocks Theatre

2008-08-20T15:55:00.000-07:00

Red Rocks, although a pretty basic name, is a most unusual sight. It's a huge amphitheatre carved out of the rocks a short drive out of Denver. I'm posing near the rocks with Gene Alpert, the academic vice president of The Washington Center. The venue is a popular spot for concerts and even movies. It was built about 60 years ago in a natural amphitheatre that was used as long ago as 1910. Fascinating. Here's the link for more information: http://www.redrocksonline.com/pages/visiting/hist_geo.html

Our very special, droll speaker today

2008-08-20T15:44:00.000-07:00

T. R. Reid, a Washington Post reporter, was wildly popular among the students this morning. He had a treasure chest full of war stories from the old days. He's covered 13 conventions, plus covered conventions and elections in about a dozen foreign countries over the years. His opening and closing comment: "It used to be fun, but it's not anymore." They have to do it all -- writing, photos, video. There's no time for reflection, for partying or composing good writing. He's the author of a book I read last year and enjoyed very much: The United States of Europe. It's about the effect of the European Union. Fascinating reading. Four of my students managed to get an interview with him after his speech. They're good!

Welcome sign for conventioneers

2008-08-20T15:43:00.001-07:00

These are posted all over the downtown area. I heard that they will be auctioned off afterwards!

StreetLife in downtown Denver

2008-08-20T15:36:00.000-07:00

Denver is justly proud of the 16th Street Mall. It's about a mile long, closed to vehicles except for free small hybrid busses that cruise the avenue until late at night. Tables and chess sets are available for those who want to linger and enjoy the stunning array of potted flowers and just people watch. I don't know if things have been spruced up especially for the convention, but it's quite pleasant. There are some panhandlers, but not nearly as many as other American cities of similar size. I'm sure the social service agencies are gearing up for many crises and special situations caused by the dramatic influx of people this weekend.

My Students

2008-08-20T06:51:00.001-07:00

My student group of 13 is absolutely awesome. The energy, diversity, good humor and work ethic is incredible. They come from a number of states in this country, and also Canada, Spain, and Indonesia. I will write more about them if they give me permission.

That was Michelle. Here's me.

2008-08-20T06:49:00.000-07:00

Michelle and Me

2008-08-20T06:47:00.000-07:00

My first day here, a group of students from Chile asked to have their photo taken with me because they said I was a dead ringer for the president of their country, Michelle Bachelet. I'll post the two photos to see what you think.

A glimpse of the St. Regis Campus

2008-08-19T12:00:00.001-07:00

It's easy to see why this unique campus is also an arboretum. I've seen Denver residents happily strolling around enjoying the natural beauty.

Faculty/Student BBQ on the beautiful campus of St. Regis University

2008-08-19T11:58:00.001-07:00

The view of The Garden of the Gods

2008-08-19T08:13:00.000-07:00

THE GODS ARE SMILING ON US

2008-08-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

Tuesday morning, August 19, 2008
Regis University, Denver

The lovely light air in this mile-high city hardly seems capable of holding all the anticipation of the 370 college students and 50 or so assorted faculty and staff assembled here for the political experience of a lifetime. With the expert coordinating efforts of The Washington Center, which has been in the business of supervising internships and academic seminars for more than 30 years. I’ve served as a faculty leader for the organization for almost 15 years. This will be my third Democratic Convention, but it will be the first for most of these young people, who are ready to blow up with excitement.

I arrived on this Jesuit campus Friday evening – one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. I found out that it’s actually an arboretum. The grounds include a variety of rare and beautiful species of trees, plants and flowers that are all carefully marked and tended. There’s one famous tree whose branches droop to the ground in a way that creates a shelter underneath. It’s quite remarkable.

The buildings are traditional stone and brick, the grass is lush and fragrant – altogether a lovely place. We’re very fortunate to be here. Apparently, the university moved back their fall semester calendar to accommodate all of us. Kudos to them!

Saturday, we faculty spent the entire day in training, but in the evening, we were taken by bus to Colorado Springs for a spectacular dinner at a country club in a place called the Garden of the Gods. If the weather hadn’t been so overcast, we would have seen Pike’s Peak in the not-so-distant horizon. Even so, it took one’s breath away. I’ve included a photo of the spot.

Our faculty director for the program is Prof. Tom Cronin of Colorado College, a renowned political scientist, who gave us all much to think about during our first academic session. My favorite part is the list of “what ifs” he posed. Here are a few:

*What if Mitt Romney had been a Methodist instead of Mormon? (He probably would have won the nomination)

*What if John Edwards had not run this year or if the announcement about his affair had been made last year? (Clinton would probably be the nominee)

*What if Michigan and Florida had waited a month to have their primaries? (Hillary would probably have been the nominee)

*What if the Supreme Court had produced one more vote for Al Gore? (Lieberman would probably be the nominee, assuming Gore would have had two successful terms)

*What if Ron Paul had decided to not run for Congress but would have run on the Libertarian Party ticket for the Presidency? (He would take votes away from McCain)

*What if Barack Obama had not been asked to speak at the 2004 Convention? (He probably wouldn’t have hurtled to stardom the way he did)

*What if Barack Obama were not African-American? (Difficult to say how this would change things, but overall, it would probably be an advantage)

*What if McCain were 62 instead of 72? (He would probably be a much more viable candidate)

Prof. Cronin also pointed out that, although we’re spending a lot of time focusing on this race, there are more than 600 other political campaigns going on this year, including 35 Senate seats. It will be a busy fall season!