This is a liveblogging effort.  The most recent post is at the top of this entry.


I'm done for tonight.  Thanks for reading.

Nice ending with Barak appearing.  The Obama children are very cute.
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Michelle focused on family and family (and threw an olive leaf to Hillary).  We'll see if she can heal the rift with the Clintons.  But I'm not sure the Clintons really want that to happen. 

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Here's my view, when Sen. McCaskill was speaking.  Podium is lower right.  A TV booth is just to the left. 

The jumbo screen shows a reverse image, as it's intended for the spectators on the other side of the arena.

As you can see, I'm fairly high in the Pepsi Center.  If this was at the Assembly Hall in Champaign, Il, I would be sitting outside.   Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to be here. 
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Michelle's brother Craig is offering her introduction.  This will be a very important speech for Michelle and the Obama campaign.
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Michelle Obama video - Check out my article in the Mattoon Journal Gazette on this topic.  (www.jg-tc.com)
It won't be up until tomorrow though.

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They are doing a nice job of keeping these speeches short.  Frankly, I think it's just as effective and it's keeping everyones attention.
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They are now asking everyone to dial a text number so we can all stay updated on campaign events.  It's strongly recommended for the European Audiences, because the 3 AM messages will arrive more appropriately at 9 in the morning. 

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Republican Jim Leach is now speaking. There are now two of us in the house. Zell Miller (former Democratic Senator from Georgia) spoke at the Republican Convention of 2004. So, if you can't get a speaking role at your own parties convention, the other side will always welcome you.

Jim Leach is not the most inspiring speaker. But he is a Republican. And that's all that matters to the Democratic delegates. He could be doing the beer barrel polka and they would still be glad he's here.

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I'm sitting with several other reporters as I listen to the speeches.  We're all typing away madly and the reporter next to me keeps nodding with everything the speakers are saying.............
And they say I'm biased.
Uh oh, I think he just read my screen.

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Okay, a quick departure.  In case tomorrow's news coverage is a little surly - here's the explanation. 
I had to leave the Pepsi Center to retrieve my computer, when I returned at 6pm, here's the security line for the media entrance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTRAKd_86fY

The reporters were more than upset.  They were even brave enough to start jawing with a Secret Service officer.  They stopped talking when he said, "Don't expect to attend a 6pm speech by showing up at the security line at 6pm."

I did not get involved.  After all, I'm wearing a white Republican Reporter shirt, and I'm pretty sure it will show the blood stains.


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A TV timeout.  Unlike football, there's no official with a yellow shirtsleeve to indicate a timeout on the field.  Instead, music from "Kool and the Gang" indicates that the TV audience is going to a much needed break.

By the way, the Pepsi Center is an "alcohol free" zone - not that it matters.  But I just thought you should know in case some of my postings get a little crazy.


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Ted's finished his speech.  The delegates gave him a standing ovation for not once using the term "Barak Osama"
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Wow!  Teddy arrives.  This was rumored, but not a certainty.  Recovering from his recent brain surgery, he looks pretty good.  He hasn't lost his ability to give a good speech.  (Don't worry, I'm not becoming a Democrat.)

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Video Tribute to Senator Kennedy.  It's always a good way to motivate the party faithful to bring back the memory of the Kennedys.  Kerry's appearance on the video is not getting much response.  I think the delegates would like to forget his memory.

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I'm going to attempt something well beyond my technical capabilities.  Through this one thread, I'll attempt to provide streaming commentary on the proceedings of the opening night of the Democratic National Convention.  For ease of reading, the most recent post will be at the top.

First of all, here are two quick videos. 
The first is a view of the convention floor at the opening gavel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOKZ5pCfytU

The second is a view of the convention just after Nancy Pelosi spoke:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8mtOX1fkQk

I hope this works....