Wrap Up Denver for the Posse - Remains of the Swarm

[Janey Laird]

Here is where we can post any remaining ideas, thoughts and observations. Post everything you can think of! Do not worry about it being small or large - just let us hear your voice.

[Janey Laird]

Here's a series of some of the stuff I did not post here from my week.

I got back into Salt Lake from Denver on Saturday, after spending Friday night in a Rawlings, WY Days Inn.

Things I learned from driving across Wyoming:

1. There is a lot of Wyoming there.
2. Driving across Wyoming into the setting sun is a premier example of bad timing.
3. Wyoming is the Rest Stop of the Nation, having more freeway motel billboard signs/per capita than any other. This is a statistical certainty and I am quite certain.


For this post, I took a picture of some of my Denver week swag and flair:

My souvenirs.

My other ways to remember include photos and of course my memories.

I arrived in Denver on Sunday so not to miss Al’s Garden Party, which was as billed a party in a garden. A lovely garden. Here is the Fieldhands photo taken by Ann’s husband:

This is the one that Al has posted on The Field:Field Hands in Denver, today, left to right, top row: Ann Cantelow (CO), Janey Laird (UT), DaveW (CO), somebody from somewhere in a country called América, Keith Howard (CO), Tonya Hennessey (CA), Ben Masel (WI); bottom row: Palo (CA), Erin Rosa (CO).
Everybody got along. Probably because everybody tended to agree with each other, which seems like a solid foundation for pleasant interpersonal relations. Al and Laura and Keith were very good hosts. It was a real pleasure to meet everyone there. There was alcohol involved.

Prior to this, I had stopped by the Big Tent and picked up The Fieldhands' two passes and found out where the super-secret nice ladies room was located. This find proved to be invaluable in the coming days.

Afterwards, Dave and I went to his large apartment in Capital Hill and he set me up with a laptop. We went to Erin’s house near the Convention Center, where I was going to stay (YAY!!) and we all went to dinner downtown. Erin showed me how to use the light rail from her darling little place convenient to practically everything. We had a terrific time and here is our picture:

Ok – not a great shot of me – but if I remember, there was alcohol involved.

[Janey Laird]

Monday – First Day of the Convention.

Things I Learned about Denver:

1. Denverites can jaywalk. Myself and the other Utahns there were probably the only people still on the sidewalk obeying the cross walk sign instructions when traffic cleared. I am sure we stood out in our solitary cross street standing.
2. Denverites have outdoor patios at their bars. And, nice people will even come to your bar patio at 1in the morning and sell you delicious burritos on the patio. This is a valuable service unavailable directly other side of the Rockies.
3. There is a large, blue Bear at the Convention Center. Here is the picture:

I had breakfast Monday with the Utah delegation. I interviewed folks there for an article that I was to write later that week and entitled it: Utah Kids in a Candy Store Courtesy of the Democratic Convention and Denver.. It was a good experience to see some of these nuts and bolts of convention delegates and I enjoyed the scene, the people and the free food.

Here is a glance at Utah Democrats beginning their week in Democrat Heaven:

I drove to the Big Tent area in LoDo Denver – a spectacularly historic area on a riverfront. Brandishing Dave’s laptop and newly minted credentials, I settled into the Big Tent environment. See Ann’s picture of the Blogger Lounge too. Tonya arrived and we happily settled into blogging. Here is a picture of us blogging that first morning:

However I might look like I was blogging – it was pose. I never got anything posted. I had written a good one for Fieldhands Denver Posse – probably one of the best blogging posts ever written since 1908 – and lost it. I was flummoxed by the tricky technology overload the Big Tent and I were experiencing. The Big Tent had constant power issues and some connection issues. I really did nothing more than learn how to work in this situation on Monday and chit chat with a very nice fellow from California with Crooks and Liars (Gordon) who was also busy not blogging (although he was sitting right next to John Amado).

Tonya however was able to overcome this stuff more easily and thus she was up and going from the first day. Because of this, Tonya gets Hats Off from me as she then did all of the Big Tent pass coordination for the rest of the week. She did a GREAT JOB and is also terrific fun, and all that is in addition to her interesting work (see her posts!).

Al showed up later and I got him to introduce me to Nate and Sean of fivethirtyeight as I read their work daily and am a fan. Al disappeared. There was alcohol involved; by this time The Big Tent was handing out the lovely free beer from a local brewery and well, it was enjoyed by all. But, not too much.

Monday night I happily watched the convention live broadcast in the blogger lounge, drinking the beer and not blogging. The Monday night events were moving for me. Erin was with us too for a while but had to rush off for a story in a hurry. She was still shaken that night as she had come frighteningly close to being maced by riot police that night. She published an article for her organization the next day entitled: About 100 arrested after standoff; police spray activists, bystanders, media.

[Janey Laird]

Tuesday, August 26

Back to Breakfast with Utah Democrats that morning. They were a more tired, less buzzing group from the morning before. I talked to some more people, took more pictures. I chose the most serious looking breakfast table group in the room and it turned out to be the writers from the Salt Lake Tribune and none of the Utah delegation at all. They told me that delegates do tend to avoid them and their ilk. The Utah party’s communication director indicated later that this is true. People have to carefully watch what is said around the big media representatives. Happily, I’m not in that group so people were talking to me and chatting about their day before. An advantage here that I found amusing.

I did meet my personal state congress representative Scott McCloy, who is famous for being the only gay in the Utah state government. This is a picture of me asking him if he is representing me well.

I went back to Erin’s then where I needed to figure out more technology – this time my camera (and it was my complete fault to make it worse). So, Erin’s Godmother Pam – who was also staying there making it quite the happening and fun place – helped me figure out where to go to get the thingy I needed. I seem to be constantly needing technical thingies. With Dave’s spare laptop plugged in, we searched Denver listings, made phone calls, consulted maps.

Next stop: try and meet up with Utahns Bob and Gwen Springmeyer from here in Salt Lake, who happen to also be near neighbors of mine!

Bob is running for the Democratic side for Governor (which I’m afraid cannot happen at this point in time, not having anything to do with Bob) at the MSNBC panel discussion at the Colorado History Museum. I found easy street parking (?!?!) and found that the only way to get in was put your name on the waiting list, so I did.

Everyone on the list got in and there were still seats left, which was surprising as it was a headliner panel on an interesting topic. I can only suppose that the sheer magnitude of events going on in Denver last week contributed to people having trouble going to everything they wanted. At least this was going on with the Utah people I with whom I spoke.

The panel was terrific. Kos was on it and he describes it better than I could: “I did a panel today organized by the Hispanic Institute and The Common Good. On the panel, moderated by MSNBC's Dan Abrams, was me, Gov. Bill Richardson, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Harold Ford, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (NY), Tucker Carlson, DeeDee Myers, Faye Wattleton, and Newsweek's Richard Wolffe.” Go to his observations on the panel, http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/27/12202/3556, as they highlight what I would have. I picked Kos to meet after the panel and get my picture with him.

[Janey Laird]

Tuesday, Continued

Tucker Carlson of MSNBC, Governor Richardson and a congresswoman was intent on sucking the air out of most of the discussions by raising her voice over the others, getting angrily and emotionally wound up, and stumming the worn guitar strings of the Hillary Holdouts long (long, long, long) after it was interesting . It was a relief to see her leave a bit early. No doubt she is much busier than Senator Klobuchar, who, as Kos mentions, stayed the entire time and talked to people afterwards.

That’s me and Markos who also stayed to talk to audience members.

Back at Erin’s I packed up the laptop, camera and headed for downtown Denver using the light rail. I went to the camera shop then walked to The Big Tent. The street scene was amazing. First of course were the vendors – everywhere. Then the full dining patios that line the 16th street walkway. Security everywhere on bike, foot and horseback. Hoards of uniformed people.

When I got to the Big Tent Tonya was there after coordinating everyone the entire day. I met Fieldhand Hadi (Mo) from Chicago who is extemelyinteresting and personable. I again was unable to conquer technology and was content to watch the convention on the screens there and listen to Hadi, and the 538 fellows, Nate and Sean, chat about politics and sports. It was really fun. Kos was giving out signed copies of his book and I could not prod Hadi into asking for one. However, Erin and her Godmother came and were able to score. Tonya acted as the photography model and took a picture with Nate Silver (before Sean got there) and getting her book signed by Markos.

I took the free downtown shuttle back to the light rail, got on the light rail, and promptly missed Erin’s stop, and I so ended up about 15 miles out. Waiting to catch a light rail going back into town at that time of the morning (as it was now 1 by this time) was interesting…Not many tourists were doing that.

[Dave_W]

Great Post Janey! I'll add my wrap-ups and observations in the days to come. I'm really sorry that I didn't get to meet you and Erin for brunch on Friday! My excuse is that I needed to rest up for the registration drive this weekend, but, honestly, I didn't set an alarm and slept for half of the day.

Regardless, I was well rested for our big voter registration drive this weekend. I don't have the numbers yet, but I'm pretty sure we met the state wide goal just in our community. My average was something like two new voters and one new volunteer every hour, plus lots of folks updating their registrations and requesting mail-in ballots. Many of our incredible staffers and volunteers did much better than me. I'll beat em next week...

Voter registration is where we will win this election!

More later,
Dave

[Janey Laird]

Wednesday, August 27

Thanks to my taking a glorious detour tour of outer Denver at the wee hours of the morning, I could not bring myself to get up for Breakfast with My Homies - the Utahns. I hope they were able to carry on without me.

But I had a magazine deadline on Wednesday and had to hunker under and commandeer Erin’s pad that day for these jounalistical reasons. I missed all the Denver events and going to the Big Tent Wednesday. I hope everybody was able to carry on without me.

I was sorely sorry for myself but needed to get something written so that I could write off my trip expenses. It was crucial. Erin and her roommate let me take over and left the place as they could not stand to see a woman of my age suffer. This is us posing as though inundated with work as that was the theme of the day.

It took the main part of the day left to get the pictures downloaded and sent with captions (really! As it meant going back to camera shop for more technology – my fault and I don’t want to discuss it).

Then another horrific deadline loomed, one more important than tax write-offs: Drinking Liberally. Erin was willing to go late to it, but, still I had to get done with the writing in order to go with her.

I finished the piece for Catalyst Magazine at about 7 PM. I do not know if it even made the deadline. However, we were able to get to the drinking establishment in plenty of time, so the day was salvaged. Erin knew people there and then later Fieldhands and Field readers came and we generated a large, double-tabled lively group. Al wanted everyone to hear the comics scheduled inside (the no-smoking zone) and so we all went – of course. It was great to hear Katie live doing a comic shtick, although she was sometimes drowned out by some really weird loud people talking at the other end of the place. It was: Me, Erin, Al, Laura, Ted, Tonya, Faith, Hadi, Paul, then Sean and Nate of fivethirtyeight. Dave tried to get there but was thwarted by the cab company ( another right wing attempt to stifle the drinking efforts of the left, no doubt). Many at the table were having intelligent conversations on serious things. I just sat by being regaled by Al’s comedic stylings and trying to help Ted figure out how to avoid capture. Here is an excerpt from what I wrote in The Field comments:

Thanks Al so very much for the wonderful write up above. We all enjoyed getting to meet you and Laura personally last week. People might be surprised (or not?) at how very quick your verbal jokes and come backs are! Stunning. Ed. Note: Thank goodness for Laura too, who would actually answer the questions. A good team are you two…I wanted to mention that everyone also enjoyed the famous Sean from 538 as well. He is very gregarious and was a Fun, Fun add to our group at Drinking Liberally. I never got his or Nate's email address, but he and Nate were really wonderful to hang with, in addition to Ted that night.

Did you tell everyone how you and Ted stole those guys' Biden sign? That was an ongoing trauma at our large table as those were large guys and they were mad and they were looking for the culprit. Ted won out in the end. I hope my lovely mental picture of Ted sitting there happily at his home in Capitol Hill (now sans the Al) with his freshly stolen Biden sign to remind him of the crazy night and week is true.

Everyone will be extremely pleased to hear that The Field cadre closed the bar down at 2 AM. I was the designated driver that night so Erin and I dropped Sean to catch a cab and took Hadi back too. On the way back, Sean counseled the young Hadi and young Erin on dating issues and I spilled one of my secrets.

[Janey Laird]

Thursday, August 28

The big day dawned. I took a last visit to the Big Tent in the late morning and to meet up with Trevor. He arrived with a friend from New York, his home state. They seemed to have fun checking it all out. This is Trevor:

Dave W had helped me get a ticket to the stadium speech on Thursday and Faith had told us that reports said to be in line by 2 pm because of all the security. I cannot thank Dave enough for his efforts for me because I was really excited about the opportunity to witness history live and very willing to stand in a long line to do so.

My story is great though about the lines. Erin's house is walking distance to Investco Field and what is more, it was a straight shot to exactly where the end of the line was! In other words, I walked about 8 minutes from the house to the end of what was about a mile long line at 2 PM. I did not have to get to Investco, then walk the mile to the endof the line - which was growing exponetially by the minute. What an incredible thing! It was easy! I must have the most pleasant story of anyone caught in what eventually became a several mile long line. Dave had gotten me community credentials and whatever that means it translated to a shorter line eventually as you approached the stadium. I was at the stadium about 1 3/4 hours later. Wow - thank you Denverites Erin and Dave for helping me have such a pleasant experience.

You can see here the line from where I was after about half hour of waiting and also see where the field is in the distance. Daunting no? However, the line was even longer behind us, so that was making me feel really good about where I was.
Fun things happened in the line. My companions were a father and daughter from Iowa. I enjoyed hearing her tell me about the Iowa caucuses and her first time at one this last winter. I liked the Rednecks for Obama guys going around giving bumper stickers that proclaimed the same.

I found a pretty good seat. It was semi-festival seating as you were assigned a section, and then it was first come-first served. I called Dave and found out he had stopped standing in line and was helping with line organization and control somewhere in the back of the line. Dave is like that - he is very nuts-and-bolts fellow. He also felt that his role as a host in Denver was very important. He also had me already there so I was able to save a decent seat. He will have to tell his line-organizing story for you - it is a good one.

I enjoyed sitting there as the hours passed. There was lots to listen to and see. As the section filled, I met a young man from San Diego and some couples there from New Mexico. Everybody was pleasant and cooperative and happy.

FINALLY Dave got there (I kept calling him:"Dude!! Where are you?? Al Gore is speaking! Get your butt here!").

[Janey Laird]

Thursday, Continued.

By the way, you can get your own Rednecks For Obama merchandise here: www.rednecks4Obama.com. I highly recommend it and my sons saw the picture and want that tee-shirt.

Safe to say, I was thrilled with the speech and the fun fireworks and confetti and watching the families on stage at the end. I was one of those madly waving three flags that you might have seen on the pictures of the stadium. A metaphor of how each individual adds to the whole.. Dave held the CHANGE sign and I waved the flags. I thought it was like being at a football game where absolutely everyone there was wildly cheering for the same team.

About 2.5 hours and 3 miles later, we found a downtown Denver restaurant that met our criteria: Not closed, not crazy loud and not packed. Erin joined us then. At first we were tired and thirsty. But then we got going. What a feeling of wrapping up at that time. So full of personal stories and impressions, anxious to hear others’ and yet how there just are not enough words to describe the bigger event happening on so many levels of understanding and experience. Happy, exhausted, overwhelmed, emotional, reeling, contemplative, curious, amazed, grateful… I have to thank Dave and Erin for my particularly great experience of that historic moment and speech.

And, we closed the restaurant down despite not very much alcohol being involved.

[Janey Laird]

Friday, August 29

"Jane, Umm - you should probably get up. We're meeting for breakfast in an hour.."
"gurgle, mumble, thanks Erin. Mumble, gibberish, what time is it?"
"10:30"
"OK" and then laid there about 45 minutes trying to wake up.

We met Faith and later Tonya at Steubens for a very late breakfast and to say good bye to anyone available. Hard to believe the week was over and of course there is a bit of sadness when exciting times come to a close. Faith had some interesting stories of her line experience, which I hope she will share. Tonya was also able to go to the speech, getting a ticket at the last minute. Hooray. What a good time to sit and share with like minded folks impressions and experiences. Of course, it is hard to have it end. So, we said good bye and for me that was the end of the Denver Fieldhand Swarm. All that was left was the wrap up.

I of course spent extra time leaving Erin's, I disliked disconnecting after our intense week, and saying goodbye to Hans, the kitty (adorableness incarnate). Eventually she was able to get me on the road, and say Goodbye to Denver and the Conventioneers, heading back to the other side of the Rockies where the bars don't have outdoor patios, where nice people don't sell you bar-side burritos out of hot boxes at 1 am and where the fun bowl-of-jellybeans types of diverse crowds of Democrats and Denverites aren't spotted much. Back across Wyoming, to Utah, which is another story...

[Janey Laird]

Dave that is fabulous news! I love hearing that. I guess we can forgive your sleeping in! I'll be in touch within the next day.

Dave_W said:

Great Post Janey! I'll add my wrap-ups and observations in the days to come. I'm really sorry that I didn't get to meet you and Erin for brunch on Friday! My excuse is that I needed to rest up for the registration drive this weekend, but, honestly, I didn't set an alarm and slept for half of the day.

Regardless, I was well rested for our big voter registration drive this weekend. I don't have the numbers yet, but I'm pretty sure we met the state wide goal just in our community. My average was something like two new voters and one new volunteer every hour, plus lots of folks updating their registrations and requesting mail-in ballots. Many of our incredible staffers and volunteers did much better than me. I'll beat em next week...

Voter registration is where we will win this election!

More later,
Dave

[palo]

THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO SEND A PICTURE. palo

[palo]

Posse, Here are some photos. I have been technologically gridlocked for the past week. A travel log with interviews to follow.