I just got in from the annual California Democratic Convention in San Diego, and I must say, " after six years as a delegate, I have have rarely come away with such a good feeling about our State and National Party as I did this time."
I say that because, nearly every Presidential candidate showed up. ( they usually do, but mainly to help themselves to our money. W/ our primary now moved up to where it will have a major impact, they really have to present themselves for inspection...so to speak. ) Speaking up to 30 minutes, each made their case eloquently and with great passion. ....pretty amazing what over 200 potential nominating delegates can elicit, up close and personal.
I won't try to recap or critique each persons speech, but I'll simply say, " we ( Democrats) would be well served by any of the 8 candidates that spoke ( Clinton, Obama, Dodd, Edwards, Richardson, Kucinich, Richardson,and Gravel) ---I should note that former Sen Gravel did not give a major address, but did speak for 15 minutes or so at the Chairmans welcome reception. He is a great Democrat, that has given much to this country and should be respected by all Americans for his service to this Country.
I must admit that, my top personal choices remain the same- I'd like to see a Gore/Obama ticket, but if Al stays out, it's Obama all the way-- but I have revised my opinion and order of preference.
1) Richardson is by far the most experienced and qualified.
2) Dodd is a very intelligent and dedicated public servant
3 Sen Clinton is smart and very determined. ( she gave a very good speech in which she seemed very tired but came across in a human way that I have never seen with her. I came away with a lot more respect for her than I've had in the past.
All the rest are good people who I would be proud to have as the POTUS.
On a lighter side, there were hundreds of loud non delegates gathered in front of the convention center w/ the main theme being, Obama, impeachment, out of Iraq and investigate and impeach. There was also another very large gathering of a big pharma outfit having a seminar in the same building, and they were forced to walk past the convention goers ( about 4000) and the demonstrators when going to and fro for three days. Now, I don't like to stereotype people, but you could tell from their out of place attire ( business suits & 2 piece, calf length step ford wife polyester.not strand of neatly coiffed hair out of place)they were mostly repub drones. I even heard a couple of them making ugly remarks about us " stupid fucking democrats." The looks on their faces told it all ! at one point I couldn't do anything but watch them and their reactions. PRICELESS absolutely PRICELESS.
Finally, the disconnect between the MSM and reality has not changed. I got home this afternoon expecting the Los Angeles Times to have a big front page story on the convention and all the high profile goings on in San Diego, but alas, their headline read:
GOP has uphill climb for cash and candidates
The party feels the drag of investigations and minority status in Congress.And then there's Bush.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop29apr29,0,2726371.story?coll=la-home-nationThe convention story can be found on page 15.
But let's not stop there. Here's the opening paragraph:
Drawn by California's new prominence in the nominating process, a parade of Democratic White House hopefuls took turns Saturday skewering President Bush and vowing to end the war in Iraq, as they auditioned before hundreds of the party's most ardent activists.
Ardent activist huh ? 4000+ people reduced to hundreds....
Anywho....it was a great gathering and a great beginning to kicking the criminals out of office in 08 if not before.The media be damned !
BTW, Speaker Pelosi was fantastic as always.
Now, I'm going to bed. :evilgrin: