Video of Obama's Acceptance speech

Still gives me chills. Watch and compare to the current tripe on the news channels.

New Obama Ad

National Stonewall Interview on the floor

A jerky, hand-held interview with me and Jeff Strater on the floor. Click the title of this post to watch.

DMN video of Texas delegation at INVESCO

For however long it's up on the Dallas Morning News website:
http://www.dallasnews.com/video/dallasnews/hp/index.html?nvid=277241&stry

Lots of Dallas-area delegates interviewed. You can see Erin in her trademark white hat, and Patti at the end waving her Obama rainbow growl towel.

Back home in Dallas

As we were departing Denver yesterday afternoon...

We did indeed "watch history unfold" in Denver during the last week...what a convention!

Erin & I are so tired from the trip but also energized by it all -- hard to believe November 4th is just around the corner! We all have so much work to do between now & then...I hope everyone is gearing up to blockwalk, phonebank, & talk to your neighbors, friends, & family in support of the Democratic ticket, from the top to the bottom. Our time is now!

Friday was a snoozefest

I totally crashed on Friday. After four days of bad food and no sleep, the very expensive, not so great hotel room became a sanctuary. We finally roused and went to have dinner at a nice restaurant and to say goodbye to Denver. A final round of buying t-shirts and buttons, packing up all the swag and CNN non-stop. ~waves goodbye to the convention, hotel and the Mile High City~

We're off to the airport this morning and back to Dallas. It'll be good to be home.

Thank you, Chris!

A big shout-out of gratitude & THANKS to the Hon. Chris Luna, who gave me his delegate credential yesterday before having to return to Dallas for some business...thank you, Chris!!

Chris and Erin with Alabama State Rep. Patricia Todd at the LGBT luncheon on Tuesday

(I just noticed that over Chris' right shoulder is Paul Smith, the attorney who presented the oral argument on behalf of Lawrence in Lawrence v Texas before the United States Supreme Court in 2003.)

We just heard on CNN that Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech at INVESCO Field at Mile High last night was watched by 38 million viewers -- more than the Olympics Opening Ceremony, more than the finale of American Idol. It was a thrill to be there in person, a wonderful experience that I'll never forget...thank you, Chris! :)

Photos Photos Photos

LOTS of Denver 2008 photos now up at: http://www.kenneda.com/denver

Swing by & check out the many photos we've taken since Saturday, too numerous to upload here. More to come as I get them organized. Thank you, Eileen!! :)

Erin & I are still in Denver, flying back to Dallas tomorrow mid-day.

O-bam-a

I watched Obama's speech again on C-Span last night. With all of the excitement on the floor it was hard to hear every word. And believe me, I wanted to hear every word. He blew me away. He addressed all of the criticisms against him. He preempted a lot of the Rovian tactics that will be coming down the pike, he inspired the followers he has and he convinced those on the fence. His policy statements were strong and his attacks against McCain were measured and fair. It sounded like common sense, not attack-dog defensiveness. He was amazing. 

There were 80k+ in the stadium and everyone was rapt. If he can command a live crowd of that size, he can command a nation. One of the pundits said that McCain has an uphill battle. He is not running against a candidate, he is running against a movement. I've never seen such diverse elements come together behind a candidate. 

This is probably unfair but I'm going to do it anyway. Obama = 80,000 supporters McCain = 3000 for his largest gathering yet. 

Well innit that special

Still recovering from the festivities of last night and the post-convention find-a-bus game when I get an early text message this morning. Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) has been tapped for McCain's VP running mate. Hmmm. Who? Wait. Did you say Quayle? She's an unknown Governor and she sounds like the church lady. Just sayin'. She's only been in office for two years, which takes the "inexperience" meme off the table. AND she is under investigation in her own state. Greaaat. I think McCain is trying to appeal to the disgruntled Hillary supporters but I give those supporters credit for supporting Hillary, not some no-name Republican just because she is a female. The folks that were Hillary or no one were either not going to vote, or vote for McCain anyway. 

This is a huge gamble for him. Hail Mary. Possible short-term gain for really questionable long-term loss. Didn't he play football? It's about the final score, not the down. Oh well. I think we can start questioning his judgment now. This is the first test of a presidential nominee. It's a bellwether as to how he makes big, tough, important decisions. So far? Meh.

WOW part three

Texas got up front seating and my best guesses are it's because of Leticia Van de Putte from San Antonio was a co-chair of the convention OR they were trying to get the larger delegations up front for media. Either way it was primo.

We could see all of the speakers w/o any trouble. Lots of celebrities walking up and down our aisle too. Patti and I both got our picture taken with Jorja Fox (Sarah from CSI) and lots of politicos.

And what speeches they were. Even the "no-name" speakers that the networks probably talked over were funny and engaging. Then we got to the heart of the matter, the business of electing a president. First Bill Richardson fired everyone up, then Al Gore spoke to environmental issues (surprise) and finally THE speech of the convention. I hope everyone watched. It was targeted, moving, inspiring and should quell any doubt this man can lead a nation.

From INVESCO Field

Stadium full of enthusiastic folks (who love to do The Wave...& they're good at it!). Hearing ppl's stories now, awaiting Sen. Obama. Yep, I'm down on the field w/Erin & Jeff...scored a delegate cred today! :-D

Schedule update

(7:01 pm): 6-7p: Mark Udall, Tim Kaine, Stevie Wonder, Al Gore 7-8p: John Kuniholm, S.Eisenhower, Maj.Gen Gration, American Voices Program, Dick Durbin 8-9p: BARACK OBAMA

Today's Schedule Per NBC News TxtMsg

(4:00 pm): NBC News: DNC on MSNBC 7pET; NBC 10pET
*Howard Dean
*Tribute to MLK
*Gov Richardson
*Gov Kaine
*Al Gore
*Sen Durbin
*Sen Obama acceptance speech-10pET

Invesco!!!

Made it to Invesco with 3-4 hours to go. We're in the hot sun on the field but it feels like a festival atmosphere. They have bands playing and everyone is dancing.

They've done an incredible job of transforming the stadium and moving the convention.

Our candidate has shown his true colors by opening his acceptance speech to the public. That hasn't been done since JFK.

More on Wednesday's LGBT Caucus

Yesterday Roberta Achtenberg took the podium early with some very sad news: A grand dame of the LGBT equality movement, Del Martin, died yesterday morning in San Francisco with her partner - and spouse - of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon, at her side. A very somber moment for the entire room, and we had a heartfelt moment of silence for a stalwart hero of our community and our history. Del was 87.

Roberta then introduced San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who was visibly shaken by the news of Del's passing, he could hardly speak. Choking back tears, he recounted how he came to know Del & Phyllis and how important it was for him to support their incredibly enduring relationship - they were to celebrate their 56th anniversary as a couple - and arranged for them to be the first couple to marry in California on June 16th this summer when marriage became legal for them in their state.

Wire photo of SF Mayor Gavin Newsom officiating at the June 16, 2008 wedding of Phyllis Lyon (L) and Del Martin (in wheelchair), finally tying the knot after 55 years together.

We then heard from DNC Chair Howard Dean, who as Governor of Vermont signed the bill establishing the first civil unions in the country in 2000. Erin & I had met Gov. Dean back in May 2001 when Louise Young & Vivienne Armstrong* brought him to Dallas for a fundraiser in support of his 5th term as Vermont's governor.

Later in the meeting, Houston's Vice Mayor Pro Tem & DNC member Sue Lovell took the podium to introduce Congressman Barney Frank (MA), but first asked everyone not to mourn the passing of Del Martin but to "do it the Texas way" by celebrating her life -- and the room exploded into boisterous applause, feet-pounding, & whistling, cheering Del's life & leadership.

As Sue introduced Rep. Frank, she concluded by saying, "...and now, without further adieu, please welcome Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts..." When he took the podium, Barney -- just an incredibly funny guy always -- said:

"Just once - sometime somewhere - just once I'd like to have 'further adieu'...we always hear 'without' but I'd really like some 'further.' But I guess you have to have some adieu before you can get 'further adieu'."

I remember one time watching C-SPAN during a Congressional hearing in the early 1990s on the Branch Davidian stand-off, when Barney Frank was questioning Attorney General Janet Reno, asking her if the FBI & ATF had exhausted different strategies to entice the Branch Davidians to walk out peacefully...and he suggested that perhaps the ATF could have simply piped in C-SPAN to put them all to sleep.

Another quick funny moment: Erin has been putting all of her flair on the flap of her haversack that she carries every day to the Pepsi Center, so it's pretty replete edge to edge. She said a delegate came running up to her on the mezzanine eagerly asking "How much are your buttons?" ;-)

*Shout-out of CONGRATS to Louise & Viv, who just got married in California last Friday, celebrating 35+ years together!!

Biden's Speech

Joe Biden did a great job of showing the American public that he is "one of the people" and an ardent advocate for the people he represents. That group is about to expand to the entire United States. He showed he can hold his own as an orator and that he has the right stuff to be a great team with Barack. They remind me so much of the Kennedy/Johnson ticket. A young, vibrant generation and a forward thinking older generation teaming up to create a new America. To dream beyond our expectations and to accomplish our most lofty goals. I'm so inspired and I think the whole convention is "Fired up and ready to go."

Bill

Is all about Barack. The floor loves him. His best line of the speech for me..."the world is impressed by the power of example, not an example of power." Another great moment was the comparison of criticisms he received when running as being too young and inexperienced to the same criticisms leveled at Barack Obama. 

A View from the Surf

The most powerful moment

Of this entire experience just occurred. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton just moved that the convention suspend the rules and by acclamation nominate Barack Obama for president. WOW. That is one of the most unbelievably classy and generous acts of politcal courage I have ever seen. If there was any lingering doubt after last nights speech, it was just erased...completely.
After the entire hall joined hands and I think for the first time, truly united. We are a party again. Thank you Hillary.

Roll Call

Surprisingly they are already doing the state roll call.

LGBT Caucus part two

Good line from Howard Dean, "...when people realize that lesbian is a person and not a category."

Other speakers included "that damn lesbian" former HUD Assistant Secretary Roberta Achtenberg, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and Gov. Howard Dean all talking about the role the LGBT community plays/will play in the upcoming election.

Last Night's Concert

The Human Rights Campaign put on a show last night with Cyndi Lauper, Rufus Wainwright, Margaret Cho and Melissa Etheridge. We were not originally going to go but we got tickets comped by former Executive Director Elizabeth Birch. (Thanks EB!)

Jeff and I were late showing up as it took over an hour to leave the floor of the convention but when we arrived, we were treated like semi-celebrities with our floor pass credentials.

We caught the whole hour of Melissa's show. She was very good and in her element of like-minded politicos. 

Hillary - what a woman

I was so impressed with the Senator's grace and passion in her speech. Howard Dean had said that the person who did not get the nomination would be most responsible for uniting the party. Hillary did her best to do that tonight. She showed a lot of class and reminded everyone that we are all Democrats and need to unite behind the nominee. Way to go HRC.

Tuesday Haiku

Obama/Biden
Nice ring to it, don'tcha think?
5...great for haiku

Great flair, 3 for ten
Hawkers nice, ubiquitous
Break a twenty? Sure.

Yes, "remove ALL flair"
Metal detector for all
Flair-free is big task

He brings needed FIRE!!
Chants "Wake UP, America!!!"
Dennis Kucinich

Queer luncheon today
Sponsors: Frank, Baldwin. Loved it!
Best event here yet.

Smoke at Watch Party
Out front door only. OK.
Ut-oh. All flair OFF.

Security peeps
Laugh. De-flair again. Got it.
Need perma-flair shirt.

From the floor

I changed seats and am no longer blocked by the "Texas" sign. Everyonr is waiting for Hillary's speech. It's all anyone can talk about and the media is in a frenzy.

Just saw Spike Lee outside.

Convention Widows Update

Jeff's partner Felix & I are at the Wells Fargo Theatre at the Colorado Convention Center...I was a winner of the daily lottery today for Watch Party tix & got 2, so here we are ;-)

The Texas delegation has two drawings each morning: one for a guest pass to get onto the convention floor at the Pepsi Center (6 total), & one for Watch Party tix (30 or so w/up to 2 tix each).

I've attached a photo of Chinese Falun Gong protestors meditating in front of the convention center. Erin's got the "good" camera & we'll post photos again once we're back at the hotel...probably LATE tonite ;-) Til then, I'll try to catch up on convention haiku...

OMG

Michelle Obama is addessing the LGBT delegate lunch. So smart to woo the heavily Clinton group. So eloquent, so strategic. For the second time in two days, "wow."

Line of the day

(so far)
Barney Frank "The radical homosexual agenda? I don't have one. We want to get married, join the army and get a job."

Tuesday's Schedule

Today is going to be busy (der). This morning is a brunch for LGBT delegates being hosted by the Human Rights Campaign and other groups. Openly gay Representatives Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin are the keynotes. Colorado expects to add to that number with Jared Polis. 

Next is a media panel with Dan Abrams of MSNBC. Gov. Bill Richardson, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Harold Ford are going to go toe-to-toe with Tucker Carlson, Daily Kos Blogger Markos Moulitsas and Dee Dee Myers, former White House press secretary. It should be interesting.

Then it's off to the floor. Sen. Hillary Clinton is the big speaker tonight but Tammy Baldwin will continue the tradition of having one big-name gay speaker. Texas native Cecile Richards (daughter of Ann) from Planned Parenthood is continuing the Richards legacy of Convention speeches and will talk about a woman's right to choose. 

Yesterday on the convention bus I was sitting next to a Clinton staffer who was arranging the Senator's and President's travel plans. He said Pres. Clinton was prepared to speak about the economy but he's speaking on "National Security" night (Wednesday). So expect a security speech with lots of economic statistics. A little inside scoop.

Daily overheard Obama bashing by Clinton supporter: table of buttons, flair had a a watch with Obama's picture on it...hawker "these are $20..." Woman: "I wouldn't give you 20¢." 

Last thoughts on the day

First day at the convention was exciting and full of energy. After a while it becomes rote to see all of the political heroes as they become one of the many trying to elect our next president. One gratifying moment was when a member of the press couldn't get onto the floor and I offered to go find his cameraman. That's power (of a sort.) It's hard to take it all in but I'm trying to soak it up.

I'm still concerned with the divisiveness of the Hillary folks. Their candidate is fully committed to electing a Democratic president and I wish they would be too. Maybe after her speech tomorrow night (tonight) they will be able to support Obama with their shoeleather, sweat and money, if not their hearts. 

Michelle Obama

MO gave a very softened but moving speech. She was eloquent and warm and loving. She talked to her husband's personal nature and how much she trusts his judgment and how he can heal this nation. Very well done. Overheard comments were "out of the park" and the ever simple "wow."

She won over some doubters I think.

Teddy was just amazing

I don't know how it came across on TV but Edward Kennedy blew the house away.

John Legend

A few Jazz Fests ago Patti and I were gonna go see John Legend. We didn't because we were too tired. We joked about how great he was. Well, I just got to hear him live for real. Amazing.

On the floor

I made it to the Convention floor. The seats are micro (think middle seat on a plane) but the Texas delegation has decent location. Look for us between the ABC News booth and BBC. I'm almost directly under the BBC sign, halfway down the section.

Erin Moore
Sent via Treo

LGBT Caucus

The caucus is going well. LOTS of people. They're guessing about 500 folks with SRO. They're saying this is the largest and most diverse LGBT delegaytion :) ever. It always amazes me how strong we are. Seeing friends from all over: Julian Potter who worked for Gore, Miran Saez who works for Gavin Newsome and is co-chair of the caucus, Ariz. state rep. Krysten Sinema,and Okla. State Rep. Al McCaffrey. Good to see them all again.

Off and running

A very quick post. We had our first delegation breakfast this morning with speakers Kathleen Sebelius and Chet Edwards. Got my credentials without a hitch. They are the key to everything. Now we are off to the LGBT caucus and then onto the convention floor. Saw Barbara Rosenberg this morning. She is not 100% but looks good and I'm very glad she is here. 

Sunday Photos I

A bus parked across the street from the Colorado Convention Center

Armed SWAT troops in full riot gear move into position for no war protestors (while the anti-choice protestors holding a huge banner and yelling from a bullhorn stand screaming well inside the police perimeter right up by the front doors of the convention center)

Erin inside the front lobby of the Colorado Convention Center, where all of the Democratic Party caucus meetings will take place each day, concluding before the convention gavels in each day at 3pm MT.

A Fun Day/Night

We took the light rail into the city a little early today to walk around and see the 16th Street Mall a little bit. It is a pedestrian only shopping area and a lot of fun. Got some food. Watched some protesters and the reactionary armed SWAT teams in full riot gear. The war protesters got the full attention of the men in armor while the pro-lifers spouting nonsense about abortion and murder got to get right next to the convention center. Hmmm. 

The Friends of New Orleans event was a blast once we got in. There was no question of my entry because of my delegate status but there was a mixup/miscommunication regarding guests. Patti had to fight for a ticket but we eventually found someone who could help.

The band was great and instantly reminded me of home. I walked in and said aloud "oh hell yeah" and started dancing. Marva Wright, Marcia Ball, Irma Thomas, all three are home-town favorites.

 The booze was flowing and the food was actually a good version of "true" New Orleans cooking. The gumbo was tasty.

Governor Howard Dean spoke and roused the crowd. Political celebrity sightings were Mitch Landrieu, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana and Mayor of New Orleans Ray Nagin. 

Stonewall National Dinner

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius,

Texas delegate Vanessa Edwards Foster, Texas delegate Erin Moore

We heard the fantastic Governor of Kansas Kathleen Sebelius, keynote speaker yesterday at the Stonewall Democrats National Dinner at the Renaissance hotel. Gov. Sebelius is a dynamic Democratic governor in a red state, with a profoundly inclusive progressive attitude about governing. She is also serving as one of the four (4) co-chairs of the Democratic National Convention, and will be speaking at the Texas delegation breakfast Monday morning.

Vanessa Edwards Foster is a long-time friend of ours, much longer with Erin - they go wayyy back ;-) Vanessa is a Texas delegate from Houston, and is the co-founder and president of the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC).

More later...off to do stuff!

Shopping

Our booty in prep for the week, waiting for hotel shuttle. "King Soopers" is a Kroger...w/a Starbucks inside :-D

On the move

On hotel shuttle heading to shop. Just greeted several Dallas delegates arriving at the hotel: Dallas City Councilmember Pauline Medrano, delegate Gillian Parillo & her partner Pierre. Hopefully Jeff & Felix will be there & settled soon too.

Sunday morning potpourri

Wow, so much blogging to catch up on!

Stuff still to do:

• Post photos from yesterday's happ'nin's
• Write a review of the hotel
• Comment on the politics of the day
• More haiku
• Other stuff

I'd better get busy! ;-)

We had a great day yesterday, getting here and then taking in some politics and the never-ending chance to network & mingle.

Jeff Strater -- one of 4 SD16 delegates -- is "moving" today from the Stonewall Dems national convention location (the Renaissance Denver, today & forward the delegation hotel for Massachusetts and Maryland) to the Red Lion Southeast Denver, home of the delegations from Texas and American Samoa. Jeff's partner Felix is flying in today noon-ish from Dallas, and I think once they're both here (probably as I type this), we're going to plan to find a pharmacy or grocery store to pick up a few things.

At a buffet breakfast in the hotel this morning we saw a number of Texas folks, of course -- including a jovial table with State Sen. Rodney Ellis and Rep. Garnet Coleman. Also chatted with Amy from Denton and others. Old friend, former state representative & perennial politico (& Texas' first & only openly gay statewide office-holder) Glen Maxey arrived this morning. As always, fun & informative to chat with Glen, a force of sorts in Texas politics...should be yet another interesting convention with Glen in "creative" mode ;-)

Chatted with some other Dallas-area delegates -- Dallas County Schools board member Ann Hubener; her daughter Katy Hubener, past Texas House candidate; Katy's friend Shirley; SD23 delegate Neil Emmons.

More later...

Sunday Morning Haiku

Major back spasms
Push button up down, nothing
Lindsay Wagner lies

Coffee deficit
4-cup pot is not enough
Where is barista?

Need more coffee soon
Get breakfast downstairs, wake up
Then post photos here

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

Today is the "big easy" day. There is an interfaith kickoff this morning but I'm not the church-going sort. But the real fun starts tonight. The Friends of New Orleans events are the official kick-off. We are coming up on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and it is being recognized as a colossal failure of the Bush administration and to recognize the rebuilding efforts of the Gulf Coast. My family is there still and it is my home turf. I expect it will be a rollicking good time. I'm conflicted about the BIG event tonight, the New Orleans All-Star Jam-Balaya. It's $500 but has a who's-who list of stars from the Big Easy. Harry Shearer, James Carville, Donna Brazile, John Larroquette, Randy Newman, Marcia Ball, and a bunch of the musical acts I grew up listening to. I don't even know if tickets are still available but I don't think I can resist the party. It's in my blood.

Kathleen Sebelius

Listening to the Govenor of Kansas talk at the National Stonewall Democrats dinner. Talking about how she tries to be progressive in a red state.
She's a true advocate for LGBT rights and strong politician. "We value love over hate."

"Erin In Denver" - For Real Now!

We have arrived in Denver!

Friendly local greeters lined the arrival area, volunteers with the Convention not there for any particular passenger, just greeting DNCC delegates & guests.

Everything went pretty smoothly at Denver Int'l Airport, got our bags, boarded a Super Shuttle loaded with delegates and one poor lonely "regular" guy, and Patti & I were the first ones dropped off. A group of Oklahoma delegates rode with us...and they know Jim Roth very well.

A giant sign on the side of the hotel greeted us with "Red Lion Welcomes DNC" and we got checked in fairly quickly. (Hotel review will come later.)

We got to our room just as the Obama/Biden announcement was airing live on TV...of course we tuned in right away. Great announcement event, they look like a formidable team together!

Obama/Biden 08!!

Travel Haiku

Wait at LUV gate
Annoying cell phone nearby
People Mag helps some

No news on TVs
Choice: Beijing basketball or
Strawberry Shortcake

Kid makes napkin mess
Mom on phone oblivious
Will she clean it up?

Dallas-bound deplaned
Queue up in the assigned chute
Moo no bag fees moo

Now we know...it's Joe!

Here's the text message I received in the weeeee hours this morning:

62262 (2:34 am): Barack has chosen Senator Joe Biden to be our VP nominee. Watch the first Obama-Biden rally live at 3pm ET on www.BarackObama.com. Spread the word!

News reports flying that Obama has picked Biden

News reports at this hour -- Associated Press, CNN, NBC, Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, and now Fox -- state that they have confirmed that Sen. Barack Obama will announce tomorrow (today? --> Saturday!) morning that Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware is his pick for running mate on the Democratic ticket.

Who knows if it's true, just want to toss up a note about it. Erin & I will likely be in the air tomorrow morning when the text message/news hits...on our way to Denver.

I've been poking the web trying to find out what time the first rally happens tomorrow morning (WaPo says afternoon) in Springfield, IL where they will announce it & campaign together, but so far haven't found that little nugget of info.

Stay tuned to any quality news source starting Saturday morning -- "official" VP news a'comin'! ;-)

Next post on this blog...from Denver! :)

LLAMACRAT

This is one of the funniest things I've seen in a while.

Click the title for the webpage link but here is a taste of the content:

Photos from tonight's fundraiser

Here are some photos from tonight's fundraiser at Magnolia Lounge at Fair Park. Many thanks again to everyone for supporting Erin's delegate experience in Denver!

Thank You All

The fundraiser is over and I want to thank everyone who attended and especially Gary Fitzsimmons, Craig Holcomb, James Nowlin and Hector Garcia for putting it on. We had a good, solid crowd of old and new friends. Channel 11/21 news was there to report on the efforts of me and another delegate. For as long as it's up, here's a link to the news coverage. 

http://cbs11tv.com/local

Reader Poll on Obama's VP Pick

Scroll to the very bottom of the page and vote your thoughts on who Barack Obama will pick as his running mate. You can select more than one choice!

Chances are, we'll all know by Saturday -- so the poll closes then. However, IF we don't know by then, we'll extend the poll...and then w a i t. ;-)

A moment of silence for a great American & a Democratic hero

Just now on the wires...

Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH), the first black woman to represent Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives, has died after suffering an aneurysm. She was in her fifth term representing the Cleveland area, and had sufffered a brain aneurysm while driving in her home district yesterday evening. She was 58.

Rep. Tubbs Jones was an ardent supporter of 2008 presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), and was to attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver next week as a superdelegate. The congresswoman was a great hero of mine for many years, a wonderful principled orator with a fantastic sense of humor and an amazing work ethic...she will be very missed by so very many.

Please remember Rep. Tubbs Jones and her family in your thoughts & prayers.

For the three people that haven't seen this

It still makes me laugh.

Time for Some Campaignin' | Funny Jokes at JibJab

Fundraiser

I have a fundraiser tomorrow night at the Magnolia Lounge in Fair Park. It starts at 6p. Please come by. 

The food is being generously donated by Hector Garcia and Hector's on Henderson. The wine (gotta have wine) is being donated by Dallas County District Clerk Gary Fitzsimmons. And the organizing has been done by James Nowlin. I appreciate them very much and everyone who has already given me checks to support my trip. 

To each of you a big bear hug and a heartfelt thank you.

PUMAs

Party Unity My Ass. There is a contingent out there that thinks the primaries were skewed, rigged, even manipulated to favor Obama. That Florida and Michigan were the wild cards in the back pockets of the Obamaites and that the Democratic Party elite were hanging on to those cards until they needed them. Florida and Michigan broke the rules. They got punished. 

I wish people would indeed unite behind Obama and not elect another Bushish, I-like-this-guy-and-want-to-have-a-beer-with-him sort. There is rumor of a coup at the convention. A floor fight is never beneficial. And if the Clinton camp would "win at any cost" regardless of the party but solely concentrating on their candidate, we all lose.

I actually got asked last night at a Democratic Party meeting..."So what if YOUR guy does..." My guy? He's our guy. I can't wait to hear Clinton speak at the convention. I hope she quashes this nonsense about PUMA. I hope. Maybe the convention will be her chance to shine and show the country and the world that we can do better than McCain.

Hope is an Obama buzzword. Let's make it a Democratic buzzword. 

Pre-Convention Haiku

I'm excited to be joining Erin in Denver!

In anticipation, I've composed some pre-convention haiku -- that lyrical Japanese poetic verse form that in English is defined as 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables.

Obama VP
Will we know by Saturday?
Cell phone is ready


Crazy hats, buttons
Flair defines the delegate
What will Erin wear?


The Fighting 16th
Best Texas senate district
Best potlucks for sure


What a convention
Boston was perfunctory
Denver is provocative

Please post your own as we countdown to Denver!

Schedule of Events

I wish the DNC would post a schedule of events PDF like New Orleans does for Jazz Fest. It has cubes and times and you can look at a glance and figure out what is going on. There is so much to try and organize. Fortunately for me Patti is a master at this sort of thing and is even color-coding the events. :)

Welcome

Welcome to my blog. I hope to keep you all informed about the happenings in Denver. I know a lot of people wanted to go this year and I am so honored to represent Senatorial District 16 as an Obama delegate. Please return often. There will be pictures. There will be news. There will be bad puns.

Thanks,

Erin

Getting Ready

It's about time I started packing. I've got a lot to do before heading on the plane to Denver.

Loads of Stonewall Dems activities and the politics never stops. 

I've also got a fundraiser coming up to help pay for the trip.

August 21 at the Magnolia Lounge in Fair Park. If you can come, please give a holler.

Erin