NOTES ON THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION
It was my real honor to stand for Idaho Democrats at the 2024 DNC Convention. In the next few weeks, I will be sharing recollections based on notes to myself, and quotes from notable people I saw at the convention.
Our days began at 8:00 AM in our hotel with a State Delegation breakfast. After picking up our daily credentials, we drank coffee and talked among ourselves.
After breakfast we ventured out of our hotel to take part in Dem related activities at the McCormick and the United Centers.
The McCormick Center is across town. It is a large hall that housed a multi-day emporium of vendors called the “Dempalooza,” selling everything from campaign materials to fashion items like the Converse All-Stars worn by Kamala Harris. Activities included party sponsored training, caucus meetings, panel discussions, and briefings.
The United Center is a 12,500-seat arena where the Chicago Bulls play basketball. It served as the backdrop for everything you viewed each night of the convention.
The delegates and guests traveled by bus every afternoon from hotels to the United Center. Guests obtained credentials in a daily lottery. To enter the convention, we walked long serpentine lines between barriers of tall temporary fencing and passed through six choke points for repeated security checks.
This was serious business. Security personnel were everywhere: Secret Service, TSA, police, private officers and local volunteers in bright t-shirts that said “Security.” Entering the United Center took anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 1/2 hours. Getting out and back to the hotel was not much easier.
Each day at 5:30 PM, to mark the start of official convention proceedings an appointed official called the meeting to order. This ceremonial act signified the formal opening of the evening’s events. If not seated, security could hold you outside in the hallway. As a result of this rule, I missed the roll call of states which was very disappointing.
Other outside activities abounded. One example is the VoteVets Luncheon. VoteVets is the first and largest group of Progressive Veterans in America. This organization advocates for more than 1.5 million veterans, families of veterans, and civilian supporters.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers hosted the luncheon at their spacious headquarters. This event also gave national figures a chance to rehearse speeches they would deliver later to the full convention.
We heard from Rep. Ruben Gallego (D, AZ) who advocated for veteran’s services.
We also heard from Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg who questioned JD Vance’s belief that if you don’t have kids, you have, quote, “No physical commitment to the future of this country.” Mayor Pete said that when he went on deployments during the Afghan war, his commitment to the country was “pretty damned physical.”
And finally, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D, WI) took the podium. She peppered her comments with potty language and derided Trump for not knowing the difference between the Medal of Honor and Medal of Freedom.
I found the proceedings in the United Center much more interesting. I will have more to share about that in future articles. You can read more about the trip in my piece in today’s Coeur d’Alene Press.
LABOR DAY
Have a great Labor Day weekend. Also, don’t forget that the AFL-CIO invited the Kootenai Democrats to their Labor Day Picnic at Q’emiln Park on Monday.
