Debate

I am watching the debate.  There are many bloggers out there that live blog.  I am not going to try to do that, but I may post things that I find interesting.  For example, a few moments ago John McCain said that he is the candidate for getting us free from foreign oil and then in the next question said that he opposed ethanol.  Hmmm... If he thinks we can break free from foreign oil without the use of alternative and transition fuels he just doesn't get it.

Now they moved on to Iraq.  John McCain said that what the lesson learned from Iraq is that you can't have a failed strategy that will then nearly cause you to lose a conflict.  DUH.  How can anyone say that this candidate has any substance?

Obama: An American soldier never dies in vain because they are carrying out the orders from the Commander-in-Chief.

Well the debate is over, and I didn't post much.  My overall reaction is that little happened.  John McCain seemed kind of mean and didn't make sense a few times.  Obama showed that he was well informed on foreign policy and clearly stated what his presidency would do.  

Trying to be unbiased as one can be on a blog called Albia Democrat, McCain was forceful on his points and was better prepared than I expected.  McCain had to have been told to never say I agree with Senator Obama.  Even when they agreed McCain tried to attack Obama.  That kind of politics turns me off but it does work. 

We just need to see how the spin works.  That is all that really matters, especially on a Friday night when I am sure few people watched.

Voted

I haven't posted since I have been back from the DNC.  But I wanted to let everyone know that voting has started in Iowa.  In fact I voted today.  Can you guess for who?

Night 4

If you did not watch the convention tonight, you missed out.  Below are pictures throughout the night.  It was absolutely inspiring for this Democrat/democrat to see a 70,000 people show up to be a part of history.  WE THE PEOPLE.  The Democrats took back the flag.  Too long we have been attacked for not being patriotic.  Everyone there loves this country with a passion.

The set was impressive.  I heard some criticism about the set as a shrine to a Greek God, but anyone that says that has no understanding of our nation's history and should take an educational tour of Washington D.C.  Don't buy that crap.

Yonder Mountain String Band played to start off the evening.  I used to listen to these guys when I lived in Iowa City.  They are good bluegrass.

 Iowa's Golden Girl, Shawn Johnson, lead the Pledge 

Today was the 45th Anniversary of the Dr. Kings speech during the March on Washington.  Martin Luther King III reminded us of the struggles this county faced not long ago.  Today that dream came true with the first Black major party nominee.

Jessica Alba walked by followed by Fergie.  Only got a blurry photo of Alba.  Sheryl Crow, "A change would do you good."

Gov Richardson got bumped from the schedule last night but I think he fit in better tonight anyway.

Al Gore... Imagine how different the world would be today if...

The next Vice-President

Try calling Democrats unpatriotic... that flag does not represent Red States or Blue States but the United States.

Barack!!!

The last picture is not very clear but if it would have came out it would have been awesome.

Night 3

I am posting this stuff at 1:45 in the morning and I am still tired.  I have MSNBC on.  I usually choose MSNBC because I think they usually do the best coverage.  What I am watching now is ridiculous.  They keep talking about the need for "RED MEAT."  They keep asking when is it going to happen.  Was anyone paying attention tonight.  Bill Clinton did a number on McCain.  They went to break during Kerry.  Kerry tore McCain apart.  You don't need me to tell you what you watched and you don't need them to tell you what you watched.  I am posting these blogs to show the delegate perspective, and from that perspective the night was amazing.  
When I got there Luke Russert was doing some interviews for NBC.  Like father like son.

Melissa Etheridge rocked the house with a medley of "God Bless America" with "Times are a Changin," and "Born In the USA"
The convention hall was getting crowded and you could feel the excitment. In this picture you can see the Iowa delegation.  Gov. Vilsack, Mayor Cownie, and Senator Harkin were in attendance.

Even Senator Leahy wanted to take pictures.

Andrea Mitchell walked by and said hello to Senator Leahy.

 The convention welcomed President Clinton with a Star Spangled salute.  Mary and Chet were with the Iowa Delegation.

This was the Bill Clinton that we all love.  I don't think he was ever comfortable with the role of campaign spouse.  This side of Bill Clinton I have not seen since Hillary decided to run.

 Bob Schieffer was reading that paper while Clinton spoke. 

 Tonight Senator Kerry showed us why he won the Iowa Caucus.  If he would showed that passion in 2004, this would be a renominating convention.

 The program went a long and Gov. Richardson was scheduled to speak.  Instead he did an interview with Schieffer.

 I was so excited about Joe Biden's speech tonight and he delivered.  His son introduced him and even though I knew the family story, it was moving.  The line from the video clip showed Joe Biden's wisdom, "When you see abuse of power, you've got to speak.  Whether its a parent slapping around a child, or a president taking a country into an unnecessary war... That is abuse of power and you have to speak."

Surprise Guest!!!!!  I sent my wife, who is in Des Moines watching, a text "Wow I had no idea he was going to be here." She texted back "Um, I did... they said it like an hour ago on CNN."  So I guess there are some things viewers at home know that we don't on the floor.

 The stage on the way out.

 I put this picture up because these were the best olives I have ever had.  After the convention we went to a party and the food was really good... especially the olives.

Wednesday Breakfast

We had a very busy morning this morning.  Gov. Vilsack addressed the delegation.  He said he was not here as a former Governor but as a father of two boys that "I love to the core."  "I am here because I am not going to look my boys in the eyes and say I'm sorry for being the 1st generation in American history to leave the country worse."

Iowa A.G. Tom Miller said "When Obama takes the oath of office, think about the message that will have around the world."

Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald, "Last night unity was the theme, but it's not enough just say it.  You have to get out and help.  It is important for the down ballot races.  I know... I am one.

Gov Culver was in attendance listening on.

We had two amazing guests this morning.  First was Illinois Senator Dick Durbin.  He talked about how ridiculous it is for the news pundits to criticize Obama for having his speech at Invesco field. "It's like criticizing him for the color of his tie.  They had to turn away 40,000 people.  Wouldn't John McCain love to have one night in his political life with a crowd like that?"

Then Speaker Pelosi addressed the delegation. "10 million children in America do not have health insurance.  It would cost the same amount to insure all 10 million for a year for the same price as 40 days in Iraq.  George Bush vetoed that bill and John McCain stood beside him."

It was then voting time.  Below is a picture of Gov. Culver, Lt. Gov. Patty Judge and me casting our votes for BARACK OBAMA!

Night 2

I left the Ban Bird Porn protest to head to the Pepsi Center.  Eleanor Holmes Norton from D.C. opened the convention with a speech about D.C. representation.  I have heard arguments for D.C. statehood for some time and I really have not had much of an opinion.  Eleanor Holmes Norton has been a great advocate for the cause.  I have seen her on the Daily Show and other shows  and she makes a good case.  600,ooo people live in D.C. and do not have representation in Congress.   

I was asked to put up pictures of myself up so I had a picture taken with the Lt. Governor. 

Today was Gov. Culver's day and he gave a heck of a speech.  I sat behind Gov. Dean and he was impressed.  Following the speech Gov. Culver was warmly received by the Iowa Delegation. Gov. Culver and Mary Campos are pictured together.  

Not sure who said it but one speaker made a good joke.  It was said about George H. W. Bush that he was born on 3rd base and thought he hit a triple.  George W. Bush was born on 3rd base and stole 2nd.

Howard Dean and Dick Myers had a conversation.  I believe Myers was a Dean supporter in 04.

I left for a while and got back in time for the Keynote from Mark Warner.  As I walked in to the hall I walked past Samantha Bee and Jason Jones.  I handed them a flier from Bird Porn rally. They thanked me but didn't seem to care.  The crowd was getting so big that I couldn't stay to talk.  Warner's speech was great.  I first heard of Mark Warner about seven years ago. I saw him give a speech on education reform and was impressed and knew he was someone that we be know nationally.  Shortly after I chose to go become a teacher. 

Some thought that his topic of bipartisanship tonight was not appropriate for a Democratic National Convention.  I do believe that four years ago the Keynote was about bipartisanship... who gave that speech??? oh yeah... BARACK OBAMA!  I am a proud Democrat, but I am also a proud democrat.  We have elections to build coalitions to pick representatives that represent our interests, but once elected the representative is a representative of We the People... All the People.  Democracy depends upon our representatives to understand this and that has been lacking in the last 8 years.  Warner's point that Obama is candidate that will bring people together and that McCain has proven he will continue the practice of dividing the American people was absolutely on target.  Great Keynote. Following the speech Mark Warner did an interview with Bob Schieffer just to my right.  

Also pictured is actor Richard Dreyfus listening to Warner's Keynote.  

The hall got so crowded that the fire marshall stopped letting people in.  I was so cramped that I stopped taking pictures.  The Gov. from Montana was really funny.  If you missed his speech try to find it.  

The theme at the end was Unity.  If you saw Senator Clinton's speech you know what I mean.  In the spirit of unity I will say Hillary gave a good speech.  I can't wait until tomorrow for Senator Biden.