By Tracy Russo

Day 2 dawned bright and early. Much brighter and much earlier than anyone would have liked given the late hours of the night that this event seems to demand one keep.

I spent the AM with the College Democrats of America speaking on a panel about the way New Media has altered the campaign process and about the ways in which students can use these tools to organize on their campuses. Other panelists included Julie Germany, director of the George Washington’s Institute of Politics Democracy and the Internet, Rob Anderson the editor of Campus Progress and Danny Shay the Media Editor for the Huffington Post.

After the paneling was complete I trekked over to the Hampton Inn and Suites where bloggers must pick up their credentials each day. It’s kind of a pain, but it’s what they say we must do. Credential in hand I headed down to The Big Tent to check out what was happening there. The venue is constantly buzzing with bloggers and pols hard at work. Then there is the Alliance Center, the building next door to the big tent where even more panels and events are happening. By far the most impressive space in the Alliance is the Huffington Post Oasis. Arianna’s team converted a suite of offices into nutrition and rejuvenation central - you can pick up organic food snarks, down a tasty nutrious smoothie, practice yoga or sign up to get a massage.

I’ve grabbed a smoothie cup a few times, but have not had time for any of the other goodies. This convention seems to constantly demand you be in three and four places at once and it feels like you have to keep moving!

I departed The Big Tent for the Pepsi Center early. Yesterday’s security situation was much improved because of the early arrival and I flew threw the check point. This is great - it means less waiting in lines. The downside is your stuck within the perimeter of the Pepsi Center.

This is where the CNN Grill comes in. The fine folks at CNN rented out an entire restaurant, brought in their own caterers and hired the nicest wait staff I have ever encountered to tend to the needs of their guests. With a handy CNN Grill pass you can partake of free food, beverages, wifi and fun for as long as your heart desires. It’s steps away from the entrance to the Pepsi Center and my new favorite place ( as The Big Tent is outside the perimeter, of course).

Behind the scenes…

I made a few trips back and forth into the Convention Center yesterday to get the lay of the land. It was impossible to do that on Monday because of the long security wait. But yesterday I uncovered the bloggers lounge, which is quite a distance away, but serviceable and staffed by excellent volunteers. I found the convention’s online staff secret work space where a few of my former colleagues were hard at work making sure all the convention goodies make their way online in a timely manner. I also spent some time in the Sky Boxes where the VIPs spend their nights noshing on yummy food and watching the program unfold.

A mostly empty Pepsi Center before things get started…

I didn’t have a floor pass today - so my pictures aren’t nearly as fun as they were yesterday, but I did manage to score some time on the podium while speechifying was happening. The podium pass will get you up onto the podium. If you check out the convention set-up from home, it’s small area to the right and left of the lectern. Only the swankiest of media outlets have permanent set-ups there (I spotted Candy Crowley and Ann Curie) while everyone else cycles in and out to get a few shots on a rotating basis.

I made my way up to the highest level of the podium, where the video crews where hanging out and found myself face to face with swanky media outlet - YouTube.com. Steve Groove and his crew have a sweet perch directly above the action where they are interviewing speakers and guests after they step off the stage. While I was up there Governor Strickland was making his remarks below.

I abandoned the podium for a seat with the press alongside the podium. It offered a somewhat obstructed few of the actual podium so you can see the speakers. This is where I was during Senator Clinton’s address to the convention. Security closed off the arena well before she began to speak because the Pepsi Center was busting at the seams. The crowd gave Senator Clinton an incredible welcome, waving white signs with the Senator’s signature “Hillary” script printed in blue.

Her remarks to the convention were perfect - genuine and frank about why our party has to come together for the future of our nation, with a strong nod to the historic campaign she waged as the first woman to put so many cracks in the highest of glass ceilings. Looking around I noticed it wasn’t just me tearing up at her words - but a good number of delegates too.

I left the Pepsi Center and headed back to the CNN Grill to relax before trying to navigate the Pepsi Center exit. Sitting with Julie Germany, John Aravosis and the Americablog crew we watched the crowd stream by carrying with them mementos of the night in the form of placards and pins.

Aravosis at the CNN Grill

The CNN Grill post-speech was hoppin’. Charlize Theron and Stuart Townsend where quietly enjoying drinks with friends (Stuart is in town promoting the Battle of Seattle” about the WTO Protests). Anderson Cooper and Wolf Blitzer came in after coming off air for the night. Charles Barkley was there too. Any my favorite celebrity sighting of the day was seeing Danny Strong (Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor extraordinaire and writer of HBO’s film Recount).

Plans were made to check out the MySpace/SAG party featuring Nelly. Tickets were a hot item and a friend slipped some my way so we cabbed out to the location. Inside was a typical club set-up - dark with black lights and long bars. Nelly’s band was setting up. The main floor was crowded with people milling about waiting for things to begin. The second floor overlooked the first and was VIP territory.

Nelly performs at the MySpace/SAG party.

We stayed for a few Nelly songs before realizing how difficult it was going to be to find a cab. I finally commandeered one that was arriving to drop people off and had to fight off hordes of other party goers who were looking to leave. We had a party of 5 (my good friend plus 3 friends from the Ohio delegation) and we ended up letting another two stranded travelers hop in with us as well. Turns out once introductions were made everyone seemed to already know each other. Small world.

Posted on August 27th, 2008 by tracyrusso
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

By Miryam Ehrlich Williamson

I so wanted to be pleased and relieved by Hillary Rodham Clinton’s speech to the Democratic National Convention. I was neither. Call me ungrateful, but the two things she didn’t say to the PUMA (Party Unity My Ass) contingent sounded louder in my ears than the things she did say.

The Republican candidate’s “Debra” ad, released Monday, gave HRC the perfect opportunity to warn her unconverted supporters of one disaster that will befall them - and their female descendents — if the other guy is elected. Here’s the Huffington Post’s account.

The McCain campaign welcomed delegates to Denver with a new ad Monday, showing Debra Bartoshevich,a self-described “proud Hillary Clinton Democrat.” announcing that she opposes Barack Obama and will vote for John McCain. To back up the message, Republicans arranged a press-conference in Denver Monday morning with Bartoshevich and other Clinton supporters, who are all now backing McCain.

Midway through the event, Bartoschevich was asked if she was concerned about McCain’s pro-life voting record. At a podium paid for by the Republican National Committee, with McCain aide Carly Fiorina standing nearby, Bartoschevich said this:

“Going back to 1999, John McCain did an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle saying that overturning Roe v. Wade would not make any sense, because then women would have to have illegal abortions.”

Was she going off message? Or are Republicans engaging in some cagey multi-messaging? After the event, an RNC spokesman reiterated that McCain has been very clear about his position on abortion this campaign cycle. And he has.

Surveys have shown that the PUMA crowd is majorly unaware of McCain’s position on women’s reproductive rights.  Batgoshevich is existence proof of that fact. HRC didn’t even hint at that enormous difference between the Republican and the Democratic candidate.  Had she done so, she could have switched at least half of the unconverted in the convention hall, and at least as many watching at home.  She didn’t.

Then there’s the broader subject of the other guy’s idea of who should sit on the Supreme Court. With three likely resignations during the next president’s first term, the matter isn’t trivial. A whole panoply of issues crucial to women and working class Americans are at stake — even though three new progressive justices won’t automatically shift the court to the left — HRC could have mentioned the Republican candidate’s hit parade of sitting justices. There’s this:

When National Review’s Ramesh Ponnuru asked McCain whether he admires any Supreme Court justice in particular, he answered “of course, Antonin Scalia…I admire how articulate he is, but I also from everything I’ve seen admire Roberts as well.”

and this:

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee said that Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. “would serve as the model for my own nominees, if that responsibility falls to me,” highlighting the gap between Republicans and Democrats on the question of who should sit on the Supreme Court. Both justices have established strong conservative records since Bush appointed them, and the appointment of one more conservative to the nation’s highest court could tip the balance on issues such as abortion, discrimination, civil liberties and private property.

Did Clinton say anything about this? If she so much as mentioned the Supreme Court, the words got by me, and I was listening hard.

What was she thinking? What was she doing? Why did she pass up these two grand opportunities to show her most ardent followers how important it is to work for and contribute to Barack Obama’s campaign?

I keep thinking of the delegates in Denver who are wearing tee shirts that say “Hillary 2012″, and I keep trying not to be angry.

Maybe Bill Clinton will make me feel better about the two of them tonight, but I’m not betting on it.

Update - 2:46 p.m. ET: If you’re on a dialup connection and can’t receive video of the Clinton address, HuffPo has the full text here.

Posted on August 27th, 2008 by MiryamEhrlichWilliamson
Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

By Tracy Russo

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Starting with the tribute to Senator Kennedy through to Michelle Obama’s big speech with a few post-gavel extras thrown in for fun…

Posted on August 26th, 2008 by tracyrusso
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

By Tracy Russo

Via the Obama campaign…

Posted on August 25th, 2008 by tracyrusso
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

By Tracy Russo

Posted on August 25th, 2008 by tracyrusso
Filed under: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

By Tracy Russo

Outdoors enthusiast and NASCAR announcer Tony Dean talks conservation at the Rural Council Meeting.

Posted on August 25th, 2008 by tracyrusso
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Posted on August 25th, 2008 by tracyrusso
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

By Tracy Russo

We’ve arrived in Denver! The city is awash with Democrats wearing their Obama/Biden merchandise with pride. You can feel the energy in the air - the anticipation for tonight’s opening ceremonies and the official opening of the convention with the banging of the gavel is just hours away.

Delegates awoke today and attended breakfasts with their state delegations before making their way to the Denver Convention Center for a variety of caucus meetings.

Michelle Obama is tonight’s keynote speaker, but I’ll have more about that later. For now - a video that landed in the inbox (courtesy of the DNC) and some pictures from my Denver arrival.

The airport welcome committee….

These helpful volunteers directed the masses arriving at the Denver airport to the right baggage claims and transportation areas.

I saw Keith Olbermann at the hotel and had to have a photo because I am a huge fan and I know Super Deb would be super jealous!

Posted on August 25th, 2008 by tracyrusso
Filed under: Denver! | No Comments »

By Sean Reagan

With the Democratic convention in full swing – and the Republican’s Minnesota bash in the not-so-distant future – it’s important to keep in mind that the political landscape includes more than just the big dogs at the top of the bill.

In Virginia’s fifth district, for example, Democrat Tom Perriello is pitted against Republican incumbent Virgil Goode, Jr. Goode was elected in 1996 as a Democrat but changed party affiliation in 2002.

Perrellio on track to turn it blue again.

That’s good news for the residents of the fifth district. Goode has toed the Bush/Cheney line about as faithfully as anyone else has. Consider a few choice votes:

He voted against a $10.2 billion shot in the arm that would have boosted federal education and Health and Human Service projects. He voted against tax incentives geared towards promoting energy production and conservation. He voted against a similar incentive that would have encouraged renewable energy. He voted against making between two and four million additional children eligible for SCHIP.

But no vote is as telling as Goode’s opposition to the farm bill. He voted against and then – when Bush’s veto was overridden – he voted against that, too. As one blogger – a native of the fifth district – pointed out, Goode’s nay vote was all about protecting corporate interests.

This is only one example of the kind of people Virgil Goode will accept money from and supports in Congress. It’s only $1,000, right? Well, not really. As seen from previous Goode corporate profiteering, he also received another $1,000 from lobbyist group Troutman Sanders, who list Monsanto as a client. The same firm also represents the Farm Credit Council, a pro-corporate agribusiness group which also gave $300 to Goode. However, if I can take 10 minutes from a busy day and find one instance of corporate bundling in Virgil Goode’s 2008 corporate donor list, what else is in there?

And what did Monsanto’s money buy them? A vote against the Farm Bill, that’s what.

So much for for Goode. What about Perrellio?

Well, for starters, he’s actually got a “farmers” section on his issues page.

Our farmers have always been the backbone of a healthy Virginia economy. Whether producing second-generation biofuels or bringing locally grown produce to market, Virginia’s farmers and farmland must be protected and supported. This includes assuring that small farmers, not big agribusiness, receive the benefits of subsidies. Tom will support the Local Food movement, including removing regulations that make it difficult for schools and other local institutions to buy from local farmers. Tom will shift farm subsidies to focus on small farmers who are central to the natural heritage of our counties. Tom will support second-generation bio-fuels, wind power and other forms of alternative energy production on Virginia farms.

I like that. I like this, too:

Our campaign slogan is the “Common Good for the Commonwealth” because we believe our nation’s problems run deeper than any single policy. We stand at a moment when we must replace “greed is good” with America’s historic commitment to the common good – to a sense that we are in this together.

Too often we’ve been faced with false choices in the political debate between one extreme or another that are meant to divide us and turn us against each other. I believe that it is time for a politics of right and wrong instead of right and left and that this new politics will be based on the concept of the common good.

And on the subject of rural/urban partnerships:

People throughout my district share many of the same values, and there are issues that unite us all – health care, affordable housing, astronomical gas prices, and the crisis in Iraq. We need to continue to strengthen the understanding that Danville, Charlottesville and all the areas in between share a common future and purpose. We all benefit from an improved economy in Southside and ensuring smart growth in central Virginia. For example, Southside is perfectly positioned to be at the forefront of the new energy economy, and Charlottesville has the economic and political capital to help make that happen. We can unite around an agenda of jobs and energy security.

And to top it off, Perrellio is volunteer tithing – ten percent of volunteer hours are donated not to licking envelopes or working the phones for Perrellio, but on service projects around the district. That kind of generosity alone ought to elect the man.

Earlier this month, polls put Goode on top, but that was taken before the first debate of the season. It also fails to take into account the attention that the state overall is going to get in the general election. Obama and McCain are consistently tied, though the most recent poll give Obama a slight edge. Expect a fierce battle for the state.

And don’t be surprised when Perrellio’s thoughtful and responsible message gains traction in the fifth.

Posted on August 25th, 2008 by seanreagan
Filed under: 2008 house races, Uncategorized | No Comments »

By Miryam Ehrlich Williamson

Barb Sackman is a teacher who lives in Fallon, Montana, a town of 150 people.  On Thursday night, she’ll be backstage when Barack Obama gives his acceptanct speech.

I asked her to tell me about herself, and what she sees in Barack that led her to support him.  Here she answers, in her own words:

I have always had an interest in politics due to my dad.  He would watch the Sunday morning political news programs and talk politics with his neighbors.  My first memory of being politically “active” was the 1980 Presidential election.  I was a second grader, and we held a classroom election.  At the end of the day, I realized that I was the only one in my class that had voted for Jimmy Carter.  What I didn’t know then was that I was from a staunch Republican community.

I grew up as a working farm girl.  My dad had three daughters, so we were his best hope for farm hands.  My parents raised corn for silage, alfalfa, sugar beets, and beef cattle.  The terms “farm bill”, “NAFTA”, and “sugar act” were always floating around the kitchen table when neighbors stopped in for a soda pop.

Now I am married to a wheat and cattle producer in the same community I was raised.  I have watched our community dwindle to a place where ranches are purchased by hunters instead of ranchers because no one can afford to expand or start from scratch.  This year marks the first in 40 plus years that not a single sugar beet was planted in our community because the rising fuel costs made freight too costly for profit.  The school in which I teach has shrunk from 90 high schoolers when I graduated 17 years ago to 35. We are struggling!  I so desperately want my two children to experience the wonders of childhood on a farm like I was afforded, but it is becoming extremely hard to make it work.

I have been so pleased with Senator Obama’s attention to the worries of people like me.  He has paid special attention to family farmers and has laid out ideas that he believes can make a difference. He wants to jump start the production of bio-fuels not only to boost our rural economies, but also because he cares about our environment.

I’m not sure what I will say to him when I meet him…I don’t know how much time I will have to visit with him.  I will try to reiterate the plight of rural America and show my gratitude for his care and concern,  I am so thrilled that I will have the opportunity to do so.

Posted on August 24th, 2008 by MiryamEhrlichWilliamson
Filed under: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »