This series of postings will describe my journey to the Democratic National Convention in Boston with media credentials and a seat in the press area of the Fleet Center. Past postings are here:
Day 0 Posting 1 - Blogging: Journalism or Activism or Both?
Day 1 Posting 1 - Arriving in Boston: Saturated Air & U.S. Topography
Day 2 Posting 1 - Clinton a No-Show at Rock the Vote, Disappointed Grassroots Young Dems
In my first posting today, I wrote about the GAIN youth training for grassroots activists and the Rock the Vote concert. You might wonder about what else is happening in Boston that the media typically doesn't cover.
I spent about three or four hours yesterday getting my media credentials and a lot of exercise. Along the way, I met many other members of the media as we figured out which room in which hotel in Boston had the next clue so that eventually we would have assembled a complete media kit. In the end I had a bunch of laminated plastic covered in assorted stickers hanging from various strings and lanyards around my neck, thus enabling my access to more events than I could possibly attend. I also had a number of Convention reference books prepared especially for the media, complete with local Boston retail advertisements. What else was in my "goody bag"? A box of mac 'n cheese with the pasta in the shape of donkeys (hurray - I've got the gift for my kids when I return home). A sample of a new men's disposable razor (gift for my husband for watching the kids this week?) An edited selection of famous authors writing short stories about Boston (as if the media had time to sit around and read literature; but it makes a nice gift for my friend I'm staying with). You get the idea - for what reason did the media get these bags, and why did I need to get a goody bag first before I was allowed to get a "California media" sticker, for example, that allows me access to California delegation events? Delegates also were required to stand in long lines to receive their ticket to the Fleet Center inside of goody bags with a variety of anti-Bush books, snacks, and more.
The locals I've met are all amazed by how their city has been transformed. Large signs are in places they weren't before (for example, an enormous CNN ad graces the front of a subway station in Copley Square), red, white, and blue fabric is draped everywhere imaginable, the streets are teaming with people wearing anti-Bush and pro-Kerry buttons and shirts (delegates), the streets are also teaming with people wearing large laminated plastic hanging from strings around their necks (media), Coast Guard helicopters are circling overhead 24/7, there are new signs directing traffic on streets and in the subways (this could be long overdue, because Boston is somewhat more confusing than most cities), streets are suddenly closed off as important politicians attend events (President Clinton had a book-signing at Barnes and Noble and the streets were closed for a four-block radius to handle all the Dems in town who wanted to meet him), random protests pop up in city squares (the Fulan Gong had an incredibly organized protest of Chinese prison torture yesterday, complete with 1000s of people wearing yellow shirts and hats, reenactments of the torture, a parade with festive dancers, and 100s of people passing out literature for miles).
I was standing in front of the Boston Public Library about to meet some folks for dinner, when I ran into Senator Ted Kennedy. Apparently, the welcome reception for the Massachusetts delegation was taking place inside the library. One TV reporter saw him before I did. Not usually short on words or questions, I walked over intending to use this opportunity for a short interview. While standing next to him, I kept rejecting each question I had in mind. "Did you attend multiple caucuses in Iowa campaigning for Kerry on Caucus night when it was illegal for non-Iowans to attend in any capacity other than as observers?" That just seemed rude. I may as well have asked about Chappaquidick if I were to ask that. Besides Kerry won all across the state, so what Ted Kennedy may have done in West Des Moines, even if illegal or unethical, didn't make any difference. Asking "What are you planning to say in your speech on Tuesday?" just seemed too trite. Asking how his new staff compared having given Kerry his more experienced staff might have been interesting, but by the time I thought of that, he was engulfed in TV cameras and reporters. My friends showed up and we enjoyed some delicious Northern Italian food and great conversation a few blocks away.
One of my dinner-mates attends Harvard Med School with Vanessa Kerry. He told me that she had put his name on "all the party lists" this week because they are good friends and he's one of the only "Party people" she knows at school. About a half-hour later, it became clear that actually he's one of the only "party people" she knows at school. He asked me what parties were going on, and I said "a lot." He wondered which parties he's on the list for. He thought of calling her to ask. I mentioned that she's speaking on prime time TV Thursday night and he was shocked and figured he shouldn't bother her right now.
Reading this posting you might think this week is all about parties, getting into parties, and consuming well-marketed foods and drinks. Actually, there is a fair amount of substance to what else is occurring in the city.
The GAIN youth trainees spent two solid day in intensive sessions on field organizing and getting out the vote. GAIN is also offering trainings to anyone (not just youth) Monday-Thursday from 8am-5pm on topics including forming partnerships with labor groups, voter contact, campaign finance, and "electoral gumbo" (that's the name of a session presented by Donna Brazile - care to guess what gumbo refers to?).
Progressive activists attended the Boston Social Forum from late last week through this past weekend: see a description at http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/7/25/01443/0398
Each of the state delegations has meetings throughout the day on topics like seniors, women, veterans, children, the environment and more. Since my understanding is that the Party Platform was already adopted a week or so ago in Florida (am I close to correct about this?), I'm not sure what these meetings are for--although discussion of issues is always good, especially since delegates return home and can be representatives of the Party on these issues. I'll try to attend one of these meetings to see if I can get a better understanding.
All the delegations start their day with an 8 am teleconferenced speech from a Party leader (same speech broadcast to all 50 groups over breakfast). At 9 am, state Party leaders address their delegation while still at breakfast. Then they have the meetings during the day. All of this is optional, and I don't know how many delegates choose to do other things while in town.
The Convention officially starts at 4 pm, and I've heard that many fewer people attend the 4-7 pm session which includes about 15 speakers and performances, but most people attend the 7-9 pm session. I have a seat inside the Fleet Center in the media area, and the volunteer who handed me my credentials yesterday said to arrive 30-60 minutes early for big speakers so that I get a good seat within the media section. I wonder if few members of the media attend the other speakers. Tonight I will see the Fleet Center for the first time, including the security around it, the Media Pavillion, and more. I should have a lot to report tomorrow...