Breaking down Pepsi Center

Want to see what the podium at Pepsi Center looks like up close?

Herald photo by Jim Myers

Well, here it is anyway.

Should faith be an issue at the DNC?

The Democratic Party has made a big hubub about involving faith in the party at the Aug. 25-28 Democratic National Convention in Denver. The first-ever Interfaith Gathering took place on the eve of the convention, and it was generally well-received after the intial interruptions from Operation Rescue activists (see Sunday's entry).

Patrick Whelan of Catholic Democrats leads a prayer at the Interfaith Gathering

There have also been faith caucuses this week. The general tone at these events was that Democrats have always had faith, and now they need to embrace it. I thought there was some useful information for Democrats, especially about how to get out the faith vote. Democrats seem to recognize that people of faith really don't have a party right now.

But is that the whole story? Here's what Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, a pro-life Democrat, told me Wednesday:

"I think there’s more room today, but we’ve still got a ways to go. I think we’ve made some progress, but I would not say that it’s complete yet."

I have noticed that the party is still very uneasy talking about religion. People have gone out of their way to say that religion has always been part of the party, but there certainly is a concerted effort to court the faith vote (except from Barack Obama's outreach people, who seem to be tougher to find than Atlantis). Even at a gathering of Democrats for Life of America, speakers were initially reticent to say things like "God Bless You."

On the streets of Denver, it appears the attitude toward religion and faith-based messages is outright hostile -- keeping in mind that not all people I encounter on the streets are here for the convention, and that some of the faith-based messages are off the mark. Some examples of conflict:

Anti-abortion activists who were outside the Colorado Convention Center and Pepsi Center were met with vitriol. People called them stupid, they yelled at activists, and they even at times resulted to physical tactics.

This group from Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust had signs that were not graphic in nature. Yet they were subject to ridicule and derision. A sample comment yelled out from one young man: "I killed my baby and I'm proud of it." One man in his 40s or 50s tried to rip a sign out of the hands of a teenage girl.



Randall Terry and his anti-abortion followers at Operation Rescue use extreme measures to get their message across, including pictures of abortions (I had to cut out the graphic part of this sign). I'm on record stating that I think this approach is probably counter-productive to changing people's minds.



Still, one United Auto Workers union member used intimidation and nasty words (can't repeat 'em here) as he walked within inches of Terry.



But abortion can sometimes become a heated political debate. Let's see some people carrying outright biblical messages.


A good message we can all get behind, right? This man told those engaged in argument that he would be remiss as a Christian not to try to tell other people of the way to salvation through Jesus Christ. People felt offended by it. You decide whether he was over the top.

As far as I could tell, the below group was anti-sinner as well as against organized religion, viewing it as an obstacle to following Christ. Its members were met with catcalls by those opposing Christianity.


More than anything else, messages decrying abortion and those espousing Christian beliefs have been met with the most opposition this week. I don't necessarily agree with the delivery or all the messages, but it appears to me there are those who would rather see religion fall by the wayside. I've heard many people this week say that their opponents engage in "hate speech." Hmmm.


All photos by Jim Myers/The Colorado Catholic Herald

DNC credentials

Here's what a typical credential looks like for the Democratic National Convention. The back of each day's credential has a different story on Denver's history.





But here is the credential many Democrats want to get their hands on. It's the community credential, and it's very difficult to photograph. It's one of those plastic things that shows you different elements as you move it around, including a picture of Barack Obama.

Overheard at the convention

Colorado State Sen. Bob Hagedorn (D-District 29) was behind me in the line to enter the Democratic National Convention at Pepsi Center Aug. 27. Because of term limits, Hagedorn is outgoing this year after 16 years in the legislature (he's on the payroll for another five months). Here's the exchange (paraphrased):

Q: What are you up to?

A: As little as I can. That's the beauty of term limits.

Recap of Day 3 at the Democratic National Convention

We're almost there, folks, and your fearless reporter is still on the case at DNC08.



This night wasn't about Obama or about vice presidential candidate Joe Biden (a Catholic who made exactly one reference to faith and zero about being Catholic). It was about the old guard of the Democratic Party.

After the roll call vote, Pepsi Center had returned to a dull state. That all changed when former President Bill Clinton strode on stage to an incredibly loud roar. I looked around to see if Joe Sakic just scored a goal. The arena woke up, and people picked up their pace scurrying about.

Anyway, Bill Clinton may have spoken about Barack Obama, but it was all about him. He basked in the spotlight as long as they would let him, and longer. Clinton was allotted 10 minutes, but he went 17 or 18. However, it was the only time this week I saw just about everyone in attendance hang on every word of a speaker.

Watching a hero of the Democratic party

It was all downhill after that, especially during former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's speech. He also made it about himself, dredging up grudges from his failed 2004 campaign. He was not so well received.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi also delivered an incredibly short speech that did not touch on her abortion views, but she was mainly there to cermoniously nominate Biden as the party's vice presidential candidate.

I logged some time in an alternate press gallery for a change of pace tonight, and it was looking like they stuck all the foreign press in there. In the main gallery, most of the journalists appear to have a vested interest in the outcome, while the foreign press seems to observe with bemusement.

Outside the entrance gates was the most organized demonstration I have seen yet. On a night that was dedicated to the military, a group that claimed to be Iraq War veterans assembled to protest said conflict.




Police were at the ready again in case anything erupted.



That's about all I can tell you that you can't read elsewhere. The same Democratic Party message attacking Republicans was delivered like a bludgeon again (read last night's post for the message). I'm interested to know what any veterans thought of the Democratic Party message regarding the military, espcially the video toward the end of the night.

UPDATE: I realized that many of our readers may not have seen some of the speeches, and military may be interested in what veteran Tammy Duckworth had to say. I got word that the major networks threw their coverage to their anchors after the veterans video until Biden came on. Luckily, I don't have to transcribe it and can defer to the DNC's Web site.

All photos by Jim Myers/The Colorado Catholic Herald

Obamarama

If you've been reading the blog, you may have noticed that there is plenty of Barack Obama gear being sold around the streets of Denver during this week's Democratic National Convention. The Democratic Party has a fixation on John F. Kennedy, and the Republicans are obsessed with Ronald Reagan, but I have never seen such unadulterated worship of an American political candidate.

It's more about Obama than supporting the Democratic Party or a platform, and his visage is ubiquitous. This is just a sampling of the stuff available (click for larger view). As you listen, think of the 1988 Living Colour song "Cult of Personality."












All photos by Jim Myers/The Colorado Catholic Herald

Recap of Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention

We're halfway home in Denver, and two days away from Barack Obama's big coronation at INVESCO Field at Mile High.


Pepsi Center decked out for the occasion


The lines to get in are growing each day

A play on the famous "Love" sign in Philadelphia

Once again, there wasn’t much sizzle at Pepsi Center until the night’s closing act. For the hour or so before New York Sen. Hillary Clinton appeared, there was a building intensity. The crowd of conventioneers erupted when she strode to the stage, giving her a prolonged standing ovation (more than 3 minutes) that she milked for all it was worth. She knows how to work a crowd, and she delivered a message of Democratic unity while ripping President George W. Bush and Arizona Sen. John McCain. The press gallery was atwitter as she spoke.

No, I wasn't this close. It's off a TV

Although, to be fair, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer did a good job warming up the crowd with chants like: "Can we afford four more years?" A:"No!"; "When do we want change?" A:"Now!"; as well as his rhetoric slamming the Bush administration on energy. The crowd was whipped into a frenzy when Clinton took the stage.

The press gallery was more excited to catch a glimpse of former President Bill Clinton, though.

Unlike the first night, which was comparatively flat and poorly attended, the second night of DNC 08 was packed to the gills. In fact, it was standing room only, and many speeches included attacks on Republicans ("Big Oil, bad economy, no hope with the current administration, status quo with McCain, etc.").
A packed house

The stage is huge (another TV shot)

Those who couldn't get arena seats settled for watching on TVs in the concourse

Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey Jr., son of legendary Pennsylvania Gov. Bob Casey and a Catholic pro-life Democrat, talked about presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama’s ability to inspire people around the nation and accused President George W. Bush of being in the pocket of oil companies.

He also touched on abortion and Obama.

"Barack Obama and I have an honest disagreement on the issue of abortion. But the fact that I’m speaking here tonight is testament to Barack’s ability to show respect for the views of people who may disagree with him," said Casey.

Still no word on Nancy Pelosi’s remarks or the U.S. bishops’ rebuke.

The funniest thing I heard all day was a comment from a delegate as Ohio Congressman and former presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich came to the podium.

Channeling the diminutive politician, the delegate said: “I would have been here earlier, but I forgot the keys to my UFO.”


All photos by Jim Myers/The Colorado Catholic Herald

A quiet convention afternoon

You know you want another photo montage. Right? Right?!

Anyway, here are some more observations from Denver during the Aug. 25-28 Democratic National Convention (click on images for larger view):


All's quiet in City Park

There wasn't much commotion going on in the city park area, though I heard there was a ruckus around Colfax Monday night. There was some kind of demonstration or protest Tuesday, but there was no cohesiveness to it, and I couldn't really tell what they stood for. So, it was a dud.
Cops were in riot gear just in case

Foam fingers for sale, perfect for the culminating event at INVESCO Field Thursday


That's a lot to say nonverbally

Hey, hippies! Combine two of your three favorite things with the Obama ultimate frisbee!


City ambassadors are everywhere helping people find their way around the streets of Denver

Even though it was a quiet day in Denver, there were activists handing out literature. Lamonte Pryor is with DC vote, which advocates a congressional vote for the District of Columbia. Currently, the district sends non-voting delegates to the U.S. House of Representatives, in the same vein as U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa.
The shirt and bumper stickers say "Washington, DC . . . Taxation Without Representation"

I just had to include this. The blue bear peeking into the Colorado Convention Center is one of my favorite pieces of public art in Colorado

Below, a driver who is working for DNC08 was sleeping in his car while it was running with the air conditioning going. That's not very green, is it?
Busted!


All photos by Jim Myers/The Colorado Catholic Herald

Making the most out of temporary digs

Some of the major broadcast news outlets have taken over large spaces at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. CNN had the most creative approach, turning the building formerly occupied by Brooklyn's into "CNN Grill" -- a place where employees and special guests can relax and grab some food. From what I could tell, the menu was pretty extensive.


You may notice the sign for ice cream in the foreground. CNN was busy Monday doling out free Haagen Dazs ice cream Sundays for convention attendees.

One stop shopping for politics and burgers
Herald photo by Jim Myers


Fox News is at Braun's, but that setup does not look nearly as cool as CNN's. Plus, they didn't hand out free ice cream.

Interesting note: CNN had red, white and blue spoons lined up for people to dig into the ice cream. This being the Democratic National Convention, I did not see one person grab a red spoon.

Recap of Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention

As you would expect from a political event of this magnitude, there wasn't much variance in message. Expect these words a lot this week: change, hope, Obama.

This is more of a celebration of Barack Obama than anything else, and you can see by the dancing in the audience. I have to say, I'm liking the wedding band that performs during commercial breaks most of all.

Michelle Obama was the real star of the night. She was pitch perfect in her delivery of a keynote address that focused on her and her husband's rise to prominence and hope for America. She was very much in tune with the audience, and I heard more than one remark from covention attendees that they were moved emotionally by her speech and a video presentation that preceeded it. Several members of the media in my immediate vicinity were openly cheering her speech. Michelle Obama has stage presence for sure.

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper also spoke at the event, weaving the theme of change thoughout his speech and highlighting the Denver area's shift from a cow town to a technology center. Caroline Kennedy spoke about Obama before introducing a tribute to Massachussets Sen. Edward Kennedy, who has brain cancer. Following the presentation, he made an appearance at the podium, looking pretty well, actually.

But the streets of downtown Denver are where the flavor pops (click for larger view):

The lines for shuttle buses from downtown to Pepsi Center are long. You can expect the couple of mile trip to take around an hour. Given that it was rush hour in Denver, that wasn't too bad. The convention hired hundreds of bus drivers to shuttle people around. The driver on my bus said he was from San Diego and he was thinking of trying some Rocky Mountain oysters before he left.

Settle in for a wait
Supporters of Falun Gong are here drumming up support for their cause. Members of the Falun Gong are allegedly being oppressed by the Communist Chinese as political prisoners and killed for their organs. I didn't see many people pay the activists much attention.

Raising human rights awareness

Of course, what's a blog entry without pictures of gear for sale?
Hawking Obama's image



One publicity stunt made its way inside the convention. The campaign is Captain Morgan for President 2008. Hey, why not?
What's your position on Sunday alcohol sales?

All photos by Jim Myers/The Colorado Catholic Herald

Media freebies at the DNC

Every time media attend a large event like the Democratic National Convention, they usually receive a gift bag of some sort. The usual stuff was in the bag this time (notebook, pens, tourism guides, etc.). One item from Protecting America caught my eye. It's a working FM radio with attached earbuds.

Herald photo by Jim Myers

How apropos considering the tornadoes that touched down in Douglas County on Sunday. I gave it a try, and it works quite well.

Initial observations from the DNCC

The Democratic National Convention does not really begin until Monday, but I’m in Denver covering the preamble to the quadrennial event. The first ever interfaith gathering for the DNC was held today at the Colorado Convention Center as a kickoff event. Some observations:

-- Avoid Denver at all costs this week. If you work in Denver, take the week off or work from home. It’s an absolute madhouse from a traffic and parking perspective.

-- At the interfaith gathering today, three activists from Operation Rescue interrupted the proceedings before they began with some thoughts on abortion: “Obama is a baby killer!” “Abortion is murder!” and the like. They were escorted out of the building with little incident, but I already notice a distinct uncomfortable tinge regarding the abortion issue.

-- Besides that, it’s pretty calm, though there is a definite buzz in the air. People are hawking Barack Obama gear on every street corner – from buttons to T-shirts to posters. You almost get the feeling that people are anticipating a rock concert more than a major political event. Of course, it could be argued that Obama is more celebrity than political figure.

Some photo observations (click for larger view):


There is a significant police presence in Denver

A young communist/anarchist/Insane Clown Posse fan takes a break from fomenting revolution

Merchandising Obama:

The official DNC 08 store is at the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver
Whatever state you're from, chances are there's an Obama pin for you
A volunteer sells a T-shirt to a convention attendee

All photos by Jim Myers/The Colorado Catholic Herald