Dem
51
GOP
49
For the insider perspective on the first day of the convention, here is A.S. in Fairfax, VA again:
Day One started with our Virginia delegation breakfast—I think pretty much all the states do these every day. First, it's nice to have breakfast covered because generally, all of our meals, lodging, and travel are not paid for, and it is super expensive (some delegates do fundraise to cover it). Second, it is how you get your credentials to sit with your delegation during the evening event. We heard some good speeches from some of our state legislators and party chairwoman.
My first impression of Day One is that the daytime convention stuff is really just a convention, like a comic con or business conference, just with much more security. There's an exhibition floor with vendors selling products and giving out swag and there are different training sessions and discussions and caucus meetings throughout the day. Attendees spend most of the time on their phones until a popular elected official walks in and then they pay attention. It is unusual in that there really isn't a dress code, so you really see the true diversity of the party represented through the various attire and forms of expression on display.
One thing I learned is that you have to leave for everything an hour before you think you do because the logistics really are just that complicated. We are situated throughout several hotels in the downtown area and all the daytime stuff is 3 miles away at McCormick Place and all nighttime stuff is 4 miles away at the United Center. There are shuttles going between the hotels and the event venues, but there just aren't enough of them at the busiest times. Also, security is slow because many people have bags that need to be inspected and many of us wear campaign buttons which set off metal detectors. There was a massive delay getting people to the United Center and another delay getting people through security, which I'm sure delayed the event. I've heard that may have been the result of protests, but didn't see any myself.
Once we got into the United Center, though, the real magic happened. I thought our real jobs were done with the ceremonial "Ayes" during the platform vote, but then I saw our true responsibilities as the cheerleaders for our party leaders and guest speakers. Our delegation had four or five leaders making sure we got signs into our hands, knew when to hold them up, knew what speakers were next so we could plan concessions and bathroom breaks, and generally made sure that every delegate was comfortable and enjoying themselves. They also made sure every delegate had a seat, which was tough with so many people in and out. Other than going a little long, which was definitely challenging for some in our delegation, I thought the speeches were well spaced and delivered. And there were good breaks built in. It is hard to keep any crowd engaged that long, and viewers may have noticed some lags in the crowd's enthusiasm, but Kamala's appearance really perked the crowd up and there were many of us trying to hold back tears through each of the Bidens' speeches. There was a minor disruption a couple of times during President Biden's speech with protesters shouting, but they were quickly drowned out with "We love Joe!" chants.
Sitting in what is primarily a hockey arena, parts of this felt very much like a sporting event. Except it is a 4-day-long sporting event! Democrats are hoping we can keep this wave of energy going for the next 77 days... I'm just hoping I can keep my energy up for the next 3.
Thanks, A.S.!
Also, due to a communication error, we missed a Day Zero report from our other DNC Delegate reader, C.L. in Boulder, CO. Here it is, to add a bit more flavor:
Here I am in Chicago. The city is definitely in DNC mode. Volunteers wearing the official DNC shirt are swarming the areas where we delegates travel through or have events. I've heard "Welcome to Chicago" more than a dozen times.
I just got back from the evening Welcome event at Navy Pier. I can attest to Chicago living up to its Windy City nickname; I'm glad I put my hair in a braid. I enjoyed the walk to the Navy Pier. An "idiot," as one Chicago resident called him, was flying a Trump flag on the other side of Lake Shore Drive as we walked by.
At the welcome event we heard Jaime Harrison, head of the Democratic National Committee. Harrison introduced Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) who talked about turning his father away from the Dark Side and made a comment about wanting to turn Americans away from the Orange Side.
The convention starts tomorrow. The Colorado delegation has a mandatory daily 7:00 am meeting if you want your credentials to attend the main events at the United Center. Even the organized daytime events at McCormick Place require people to sign in, I believe. One of the items on the prohibited list for the televised evening conventions at the United Center is (outside) "signs." We will be given signs to hold and wave at appropriate times. We've also been asked to direct media inquiries to the media folks in our delegation, but I don't know how well that is going to go over.
I heard from my roommate, who is finishing up a term as a Democratic National Committee member, that the platform is silent on the issue of Gaza. Some people are going to vote against the platform for that reason. I'm sure the platform will pass anyway, but some delegates are wearing "Ceasefire Delegate" buttons. Buttons, unlike signs, are allowed.
I met a memorable delegate from Washington state who was wearing a t-shirt that said "I'm Black and I have a Black job." He (I'm making a pronoun assumption) has a special outfit for each of the nights of the convention. He and I traded stories about being 2016 presidential electors—the Washington and Colorado lawsuits went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and were Ruth Bader Ginsburg's last two cases.
I met a young Andrew from The Netherlands who is with the VoteFromAbroad group. He knew about the other American Andrew in The Netherlands—a.k.a. (V)—but didn't know about Electoral-Vote.com.
Thanks, C.L.!
We are hoping to have reports from one or both tomorrow, and we're also trying to get something from one of the folks who is protesting outside. Fingers crossed! (Z)