Minnesota just had it's state party convention this weekend. The Democratic Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) met in Duluth, MN at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC). Personally, I had a great time.
As usual at such events, wifi was spotty on Friday and down on Saturday. I don't have a crackberry or iPhone to hook up to so I used twitter instead of liveblogging.
I managed to get a few posts up, primarily from back at my hotel. Also, instead of the usual Fridays with Franni post I often do, I did a live version which you can find here (Franni is Sen. Al Franken's wife).
So instead of a play-by-play live blog that I often do, here's a photojournal of the convention...
-- cross-posted from MN Progressive Project, home of the Michele Bachmann Bizarro World --
The view out my hotel window.
State Auditor Rebecca Otto addressing the convention. She was endorsed via acclamation.
Rebecca Otto's son played keyboards and his band rocked the DECC.
Rep. Jeremy Kalin (North Branch) introduced MN Secretary of State Mark Ritchie. Mark was also endorsed via acclamation.
Rep. Bobby Joe Champion and Rep. Jeff Hayden at the Latino Caucus and African-American Caucus' party at Pizza Luce.
Joe Bodell and I were strolling toward the Friday night parties at the Holiday Inn when he remarked snarkily about this sign. Being from Boston, he doesn't understand the scandinavian sauna customs. Actually, I'm part Swedish and I don't understand sweating hard in a incredibly hot, steamy room and then running and jumping in a lake.
Thomasin Franken vamping. All we asked for was a picture with her. This is what we got. How awesome is this?
How many opportunities do you get to have your picture taken with your US Senator. And how cool is it to have Al Franken as your Senator?
We saw RT Rybak at the reNEW.MN Friday night party. The room was really dimly lit. This was the only pic that turned out even reasonably decent.
This is the floor demonstration for the Margaret Anderson-Kelliher nomination.
Peggy Flanagan introduces RT Rybak for his nomination speech.
RT Rybak giving his nomination speech.
Was Ole Savior threatening to hit people with his hammer? I wasn't entirely sure. Also, what's with the Randy Moss jersey?
Paul Thissen accepts his nomination.
Rep. Jeff Hayden introduces Margaret Anderson-Kelliher.
MAK addresses the convention.
More MAK.
Let the Q & A session begin!!!
Some Team Thissen folks evaluating some delegate data they'd compiled.
Out-take from the belated, special live convention edition of Fridays with Franni.
The turning point of the convention. Tom Rukavina concedes.
reNEW MN delegates get together to consider consolidating behind one candidate.
DJ Danielson. Working hard or hardly working? Hmmm ... since I saw him working at entry all day, I'll choose working hard.
Floor demonstrations.
RT concedes.
MAK accepts the DFL endorsement.
Left is a very happy, relieved and exhausted MAK Campaign Manager Jaime Tincher. On the right is Kristin Sosanie, DFL Communications.