Sunday Afternoon Photos

By Jeralyn, Section Democratic National Convention 2008
Posted on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:12:29 PM EST
Tags: Denver National Convention (all tags)

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Things are running very smooth today in Denver.

Jane of Firedoglake and I drove downtown, parked behind the Denver County courthouse and walked two blocks to the Sheraton where we picked up our DNCC press passes for Monday's convention events at the Pepsi Center. No lines, very speedy. Everyone has to pick up a new pass every morning. For security reasons, each day has a different pass.

Then we hopped on the 16th St. Shuttle Bus which dropped us off on the corner of the Big Tent and we picked up our passes there, also very speedy. Along the way I took a few photos:

A Code Pink Parade
A Denver Sheriff's bus that transports prisoners across the street from the courthouse (it was parked and empty)
Some Denver police officers, not in riot gear like in Boston

[More...]

The Big Tent where the bloggers will hang when not at the Pepsi Center (or Invesco Field)
The phone charger station at the Big Tent (go ahead, click, it's cool), where you can recharge whatever kind of cell phone you have
A typical outside Denver smoker's station (There's no smoking indoors in Colorado.)

We were given multiple goody bags by the DNCC and the Big Tent. They are quite heavy and I'm about to go open them and see what's inside. More later...

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Sunday Afternoon Photos | 34 comments (34 topical)

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That just made the media interest (5.00 / 1) (#37)
by Cream City on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 05:30:30 PM EST

close to nil. Dangit, to quote Teresa above. :-)

I continue to contend they stole the (none / 0) (#1)
by oculus on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:17:06 PM EST

name for that tent.

I don't see the Talk Left banner... :) (none / 0) (#2)
by PssttCmere08 on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:19:14 PM EST

Thanks 4 The Pics; More Please (none / 0) (#3)
by JimWash08 on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:24:32 PM EST

Thanks, Jeralyn, for the photos. It's nice to see what we otherwise wouldn't see.

I've been surfing between the three main cable news networks and through Flicks and Yahoo! News images related to the convention; and some of my friends have been Twittering photos too.

From everything I've seen, Denver seems to be a really modern and clean-looking city; the buildings look relatively crisp and new and the streets look almost pristine -- I'm just comparing it to the cities I've visited or lived in; and to Boston/New York.

So, here's a question for you, Jeralyn: Has this always been the case, or might this be the result of an added effort by the city officials to present Denver to the rest of the nation (people like me who've never been to Denver) and to an extent, the worldwide audience?

Denver is a great city (none / 0) (#7)
by tlkextra on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:35:14 PM EST

with a view to the west of the Rocky Mountains and to the east are the plains. Downtown is a combination of old and new buildings. All of the Event-type Centers are new. Of course there has been some "cleaning up" as would happen with any city expecting this kind of Media coverage. On the other hand, some of the beauty is lost currently because of all the temporary concrete barriers and fencing that are in place-especially around the Pepsi Center. I have yet to dive the couple miles to Invesco, but my suspicion is that the surrounding streets have become somewhat difficult to drive through, as well.


Thanks tlkextra (none / 0) (#11)
by JimWash08 on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:45:12 PM EST

Unfortunately, I've never been to any of the states in the Mountain timezone, but I hope to change that soon. I just spoke to a friend who's in Denver now, and she told me she's been seeing a lot of big-name journalists. And there are policemen and protesters gathering around the Pepsi Center. She said she also met a couple of guys who claimed to be veteran anarchists. Urgh, I really hope things don't get out of hand there. I trust there is enough security there to keep things under control.


I saw "tons" (none / 0) (#15)
by tlkextra on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:49:43 PM EST

of Police when I drove Downtown yesterday. I'm hoping they have things under control, but I'm still a little nervous.


I'm more nervous about the cops (none / 0) (#28)
by echinopsia on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 05:09:01 PM EST

than about the protesters. They look like they are just itching to use all their new cop toys.

It's serious overkill on the cops' part.

But I am still being very careful not to touch alcohol until I'm home for the night. Not even a sip.


Actually, you know... (none / 0) (#44)
by weltec2 on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 07:05:17 PM EST

they didn't look like that to me at all. They all looked like they were looking for another doughnut. ...but then I live in Japan where pot-bellies are rare. Good grief. Don't police have mandatory exercise programs?


Well, when you hear about (5.00 / 1) (#45)
by echinopsia on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 07:20:59 PM EST

the time a couple of years ago that the cops shot a man dead for picking up a can of Coke (they said they thought it was a gun), or the cops who beat a man and smashed his face into the pavement after arresting him for allegedly running a red light on a bicycle (the man only avoided a charge of resisting arrest and assault on the cops because someone videotaped the whole thing), you'll understand why I don't trust Denver cops.


: Yeah... (none / 0) (#46)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 08:53:06 PM EST

...they don't have to be in great shape to discharge their weapons. I would not take any chance with our trigger happy force.

I've also observed (none / 0) (#18)
by tlkextra on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:57:39 PM EST

multiple black, low-flying helicopters (one just passed)going by in the last several days. Last night, my house literally shook because it was so low.


: Just saw a whole bunch of them... (none / 0) (#47)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 08:54:40 PM EST

...headed SE while I was out walking at Wash Park. Must have been heading home for the night.
Do we get fireworks again tonight?

Not answering for Jeralyn, but (none / 0) (#9)
by echinopsia on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:42:31 PM EST

It's always like this, pretty much. There are lots and lots of Victorian buildings and warehouses that have been turned into downtown lofts and restaurants. There is also a s*load of new construction. In the past 10 or 20 years, we've:

expanded the central library
added a wing to the convention center and the art museum
built a ball park, a football stadium, and the Pepsi Center
expanded the performing arts complex
built a new airport
completed a massive highway project

Some notable differences from "normal":

All the fountains are on in the parks and on the 16th Street Mall.
The city horticultural dept. really knocked themselves out this summer. There are flowers in all the planters and parks and there are planters everywhere. And businesses have their own planters.
Bunting and balloons all over.

We are lookin' good.


I'm a native Denverite. (none / 0) (#14)
by Iphie on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:47:11 PM EST

There may be some extra effort going on currently, but for the most part the city has a much more pristine look than either Boston or New York. One, there just aren't as many people, and two, there isn't nearly as much foot-traffic there. It's also a younger city than either Boston or New York (or most East Coast cities), so the architecture and the infrastructure is much newer and more modern.


I live in Denver (none / 0) (#29)
by dissenter on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 05:09:06 PM EST

Yes, it is a clean, modern city with a beautiful backdrop - the rocky mountains.


Looks like fun! (none / 0) (#4)
by eleanora on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:26:23 PM EST

So glad to hear the Dems are keeping things running smoothly, knock wood they keep it up. I'd love to see a pic of your loot spread out someplace!

Is there any buzz in the press/blogger corp about the restoration of Michigan and Florida's full voting rights? The article didn't mention exactly how Michigan's delegates will be allocated, just that they'll vote at 100%.

$100? (none / 0) (#5)
by p lukasiak on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:31:36 PM EST

You have to pay $100 bucks to get into "The Big Tent" as a blogger? Despite the large number of corporate sponsors for the facility?

I have to assume that the Convention itself is supplying the same basics (wifi, refreshments, etc.) for the bloggers they've invited. So what is the point of "The Big Tent"?

: there are only 120 (5.00 / 1) (#10)
by Jeralyn on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:44:52 PM EST

blogs credentialed for the Pepsi Center. 50 are state blogs, 1 per state. The other 70 are national blogs (like TalkLeft, Daily Kos, Firedoglake, Americablog, Atrios, Crooks and Liars, Taylor Marsh and many of organizational, special interest groups (like the disabled, labor etc) who want to blog the convention. The credentials go to blogs, not individuals. Only 1 hall pass is given out per blog and blogs with multiple bloggers have to split them.
The Big Tent is fulfilling a huge gap -- Hundreds more bloggers have a home there, three blocks from the Pepsi Center, where they can hang out, blog, watch the convention on big screens, conduct interviews, etc. There are panel sessions being given and it's the hub of blogger activity.
Very little will happen at the Pepsi Center other than speeches and it's just for four hours a night. The Big Tent opens early am and goes past dinner.
You obviously have no idea how huge an undertaking this is. I suggest you do a little research. $100 per blogger is a cheap price to pay for such a valuable service. We did this at the Tank in NYC in 2004 during the Republican convention and this is modeled on the same idea, just multiplied by 10 as to the services provided.

: You'd think Google could pick up the check, no? (none / 0) (#8)
by andgarden on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:41:30 PM EST

Maybe the point is exclusivity.

Bus photo (none / 0) (#6)
by DFLer on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:33:01 PM EST

Looks curvy...is that a reflection? That's neat.

(or am I the twisted one?)

All I can tell you (none / 0) (#12)
by echinopsia on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:46:40 PM EST

is that the building does not have that curve in it in real life.


I was probably walking (none / 0) (#38)
by Jeralyn on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 05:31:22 PM EST

when I took it. I'll see if I have another.


: Leave it.....it's melting! (none / 0) (#40)
by DFLer on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 05:34:54 PM EST

I'm sure you have better things to do..

Jeralyn, have you seen (none / 0) (#13)
by tlkextra on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 04:47:00 PM EST

all the black Hybrid Yukons with the DNC logo as their license plates? At first I thought they were Secret Service, but I see them driving or parked all over the place - seemingly "just cruising". Any ideas as to who they are?

Those are cars (none / 0) (#24)
by echinopsia on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 05:05:39 PM EST

donated by GM for transporting VIPs who don't have Secret Service - governors, congresspeople, staffers, etc. They are driven by volunteers for the DNCC (the host committee). I'm one of the drivers.

There are also Saturns and Malibus with the same kind of license plate.

Regular delegates get buses.


: Thanks for the Info (none / 0) (#25)
by tlkextra on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 05:07:14 PM EST

: How fun. My brother used to be the one to (none / 0) (#27)
by Teresa on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 05:08:29 PM EST

drive around Al Gore in our county. What a thrill. I hope you get Gov. Rendell :).

: Governors Do Have Secr. Serv. Security (none / 0) (#31)
by JimWash08 on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 05:09:50 PM EST

Although, not on as large a scale as the Presidents and Pres. Candidates.

No this is not an open thread (none / 0) (#39)
by Jeralyn on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 05:31:53 PM EST

it's about the convention.

I am looking through (none / 0) (#41)
by lilburro on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 05:45:20 PM EST

the speaking schedule of the convention, and honestly, Wes Clark wasn't even invited? I have to listen to friggin' Bob Wexler?

What speeches are you planning on catching, Jeralyn?

I'll be at the Pepsi Center for the (none / 0) (#42)
by Jeralyn on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 05:57:06 PM EST

prime time speeches. The rest of the time I'll be elsewhere covering the city, the convention goers, the protesters and the media. I've got some other events I'm going to -- a new media luncheon hosted by HuffPo at the Brown Palace, the Emily's List event with Hillary, Michelle Obama and Nancy Pelosi, and a bunch of receptions. I'll also hang out some at CNN's Grill Room. I'm much more interested in the media, people and local aspects than the politics which you can see at home on TV.

I haven't really had time yet to sift through the invitations to the various events -- there are more than 400 events set during the 4 days. Almost all are invitation only but a press pass gets us in to most of them with an advance rsvp.


Jeepers. (none / 0) (#43)
by lilburro on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 06:04:19 PM EST

Sounds like you'll never be bored!

I look forward to your coverage. Also I hope you get to meet and write about Michelle Obama. You've never met her before have you?


: No I haven't met her (none / 0) (#48)
by Jeralyn on Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 11:35:42 PM EST

I doubt I'll get to meet her personally in Denver either, although I will get to hear her speak at the Emily's List Gala.