For the most part, I wasn’t all that prolific during the convention. There are better livebloggers than me, so a special thanks to those who did so here.  What I did accomplish was talking to a lot of people, which really was quite a thrill. It’s always fun to see old friends and meet new ones. So, if nothing else, it was worth the trip for that alone, even with the fact that we still have a few wedding details to wrap up.

Yet, of course, there was more.  Because we had the California “state blogger pool” pass, the four members of our editorial board had the opportunity to sit on the floor with the delegation.  So, for that, thank you to the DNC and the CDP. From a personal perspective, being at Mile High for Barack Obama’s acceptance of the nomination was one of the most incredible experiences of my life, and I will treasure the memory. Of course, now it is even more incumbent upon us to make sure Obama wins, because it would sure stink to have that memory tainted with electoral defeat.

Follow me over the flip…

The entire week was a great experience. From the parties to the Big Tent to the Pepsi Center it was a blast.  As Dave has pointed out once or twice, it’s a well managed message that emerges, with little news coming out of the event itself.  However, the message of an energized Democratic Party ready to take back the White House is an important one.  The Big Tent was pulled off exceedingly well, with everything but the air-conditioning and power systems working fantastically.  It was nice to have something of a “home base” to work from. So, thanks to all the groups who helped out with that. (Including California’s own Courage Campaign.)

The parties were, at times lavish, at times trying, but always hopping.  Being at the convention is a lesson in horse-trading.  Negotiation is a valuable skill as you do your best to get into the hot events.  Of course, knowing people works wonders as well.

I hope by now everybody that didn’t watch the ceremonies live, has had the opportunity to watch it. If not, what’s wrong with you? Get to it! No point describing the actual events of the day, because you saw those just as well as me. However, being on the floor you saw the little things, felt the emotion, and yes, saw more than a few people crying.

Last Thursday was historic for obvious reasons.  This was the first non-white major party nomination ever.  That’s a big deal, and coming 45 years after the “I Have a Dream” Speech, we see just how prescient MLK truly was, and just how wrong John McCain is for this country.  After all, it was McCain who prominently and repeatedly opposed honoring MLK, this Titan of the 20th Century who had the foresight and the hope to dream at a time when not everybody had the courage to dream.  After all, hope itself often takes great amounts of courage. From Sen. Obama’s speech on Thursday:

But what the people heard instead – people of every creed and color, from every walk of life – is that in America, our destiny is inextricably linked. That together, our dreams can be one. “We cannot walk alone,” the preacher cried. “And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.”

Yet it is surely backward that McCain-Palin plan to take us.  To the days before Roe v Wade, to the past eight years of a reckless foreign policy and a domestic policy that turns Robin Hood on his head.  I was fortunate enough to be able to say that I was there when Barack Obama plunged head-long into general campaign.  

So, check out the pictures. Sorry they’re not A+ primo photos, but you do what you can do.  After all, I have to be sly when trying to capture pictures of celebrities.  Next time I’ll get Oprah…

We’re in a long line here, so it’s hard to do full blog posts. So, check out our twitter feeds: Dave Dayen: http://twitter.com/ddayen Brian Leubitz: http://twitter.com/sfbriancl

Once again, I’m back in the California Delegation’s Breakfast. Today is “Senator Day” here, beginning with our own Sen. Barbara Boxer.  She had the crowd rocking when she told them about who proud she is of this nation and its ability to allow anybody from a skinny kid in Hawaii to a daughter of a woman who didn’t even graduate high school to succeed to the highest positions of power.

John Kerry spoke of the devastation caused by eight years, and Claire McCaskill spoke of the need for every Democrat to speak of the importance of this election.  Enjoy the photos, and yeah, I snuck a picture of Sean Penn.

Well, this isn’t going to push Brian’s announcement off the front page, but we are pretty excited about what the California delegation is going to be doing in Denver next Wednesday, and hope he plans to be a part of it.

Democrats Work, Volunteers for America, and the DNCC are hosting “Delegate Service Day”. Over 1,000 of the great convention delegates including Michelle Obama and President Jimmy Carter will be fanning out across Denver to give back to the city that is inviting them in.

The California delegation will be assisting in four different projects; building a playground, restoring a park, and two projects directed at improving the lives of young people.

A full list of events follows.

From California you’ll need more than a half pack of cigarettes, but hit it:

DEMOCRATS THROW OPEN DOORS OF CONVENTION,

OBAMA TO ACCEPT PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION ON

CLOSING NIGHT OF 2008 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

IN FRONT OF A CROWD OF MORE THAN 75,000

Final Day of Convention Program to Move to Denver’s INVESCO Field at Mile High

DENVER – Breaking the mold of traditional political Conventions, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) today announced that Senator Barack Obama will accept the Democratic nomination for President of the United States at Denver’s INVESCO Field at Mile High. INVESCO Field can accommodate more than 75,000 people and will be the site of the 2008 Democratic Convention’s final day of programming on Thursday, August 28, 2008.

“The Democratic Party is nominating a true change candidate this August, and it is only fitting that we make some big changes in how we put on the Convention,” said Governor Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). “Senator Obama’s candidacy has generated an enormous amount of excitement and interest, not only in the Democratic Party but also in the 2008 Convention. By bringing the last night of the Convention out to the people, we will be able to showcase Barack Obama’s positive, people-centered vision for our country in a big way.”

Nice move! Good to see Democrats on offense and thinking huge.

(welcome Mayor Hickenlooper. – promoted by David Dayen)

By Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper

Now that one of the most remarkable primaries in our nation’s history has concluded, attention is turning to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.  In less than three months, the Mile High City and the Rocky Mountain West will host this historic event for the first time since 1908.

The Convention also coincides with Denver’s 150th birthday – a century-and-a-half of progress and innovation since its birth at the height of the Colorado gold rush.  A hub of opportunity for people seeking new frontiers, people come to Colorado seeking much more than gold these days.  The spirit of visionary zeal and limitless possibility is as strong as ever in the New West.  So it’s fitting that as the Democratic Party marches toward its own new frontier, it will do so through Denver.

A message to all of you in California: you don’t have to be in Denver – or on the Convention floor – to get in on the action though.  The Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee has organized two interactive ways for people anywhere in America to get involved.  We’re convening a national conversation about democracy and community and invite everyone to participate.

The Cinemocracy short film competition encourages anyone and everyone to submit short films about what democracy means to them.  You can submit films – as well as view and judge the entries – online at www.cinemocracy.org.  The top 25 videos, as determined through public online voting, will be screened publicly during Convention week and the winning film will be featured at the 31st Starz Denver Film Festival.

America: Live and In Person is a like a multi-media open mic night, inviting people to share personal stories of what America means to them through art, dance, music, drama, writing, technology, service projects and more.  Submissions will be viewable online for the public to enjoy and judge…and winning entries will be part of an exhibit at the Convention that will also travel through the Rocky Mountain West.

Both America: Live & In Person and Cinemocracy present innovative and interactive ways to participate in the Convention festivities…as a contributor or a spectator.  We encourage people throughout America to contribute their voices and creativity to this national conversation.

Just remember: entries for both Cinemocracy and America: Live and In Person are due by July 15, 2008, so please – get those cameras and keyboards rolling.

I’m super-duper proud to announce that Calitics will be the official state blog for California at the DNC Convention in Denver this August!  We’ll be covering all of the action from the floor of the convention, actually seated within the California delegation. We actually only have one press pass to share amongst the Calitics Crew that will be attending, but we’ll work to maximize the efficacy of said press pass. (Also, shout out to DNC folks. California has 10% of the delegates, why only slightly greater than 1% of the state blogger passes?)

We’ll be giving out some more details as we get closer to the convention (the end of August).  These things are always more about the presentation than any actual stuff that happens there. While this year isn’t all that likely to be different, there does exist a remote possibility of some drama.  Either way, it should be an interesting experience for those of us that will be attending.

Pretty fancy video, huh? Howard Dean went all out for our (state or territory).