Michelle Obama spoke tonight but I was too damn exhausted to cover it. I was one of many bloggers getting bombed with all the free beer they’re giving us under The Big Tent. So I guess I’ll just give you some random observations throughout the day along with some pictures to boot. The good news is Docudharma got some press in the Las Vegas Sun-Times. Look for it tomorrow….. I hope. So here’s the recap:
*Spent most of the day trying to get to the place to pick up my creds. Luckily I caught a Falun Gong parade. They marched all the way around the Pepsi Center. Check it out.
Lots more below the fold.
* It took me forever just to get my press credentials. I had to have a runner come out and meet me at the first perimeter with a pass. Then they let me in. After that, it was another perimeter just to get to the media tents and The Pepsi Arena. It was like going through airport security. They made me take my laptop out, my wallet, cellphone, etc. I went through the metal detector, got “wand raped,” and then I went free.
*In line were Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski of “Morning Joe.” They stood out like sore thumbs.
Joe and Mika wait to get in.
A young girl went up to interview them and asked Scarborough if he was going to The Big Tent. He responded by saying, “not unless they pay me well,” and then went on to criticize them because they criticize him. Brzezinski just stood there and validated everything he said. What an ass.
* I got my creds through Talk Radio News Service. Great group of folks. The crappy aspect of the media tents were there was no wifi. The DNC wouldn’t permit it from what I heard. When I asked Dan Patterson of Talk Radio News why the DNC wouldn’t permit it, he said “because the DNC are assholes?” Pretty funny. All the usuals suspects were there. I saw the WaPost, Newsweek, Time, Christian Science Monitor, AP had a HUGE presence, WSJ, even GQ was there as well as Politico, NPR affiliates and more.
* CNN and FOX have their own buildings. They literally took out entire Pepsi Arena restaurants. CNN on the other hand, is in the restaurant business. I’m serious. Check it out.
CNN: The restaurant franchise?
FOX News headquarters: In a burger joint.
* The scene inside the second perimeter is surreal. There are all these empty streets with nothing but cops (lots of them) and tons of golf carts carrying around what looked like important people. Weird. The cops have these friggin long billy clubs while other are carrying machine guns. It’s like a couple notches below a Palestinian check point. It’s that f-ed up.
* After I got my bearings of the area I just had to leave. I did walk by Ted Koppel on my way out and then at the first perimeter I saw a black stretch limo pull up with Colorado license plates saying “TOPGUN-1.” Out came Andrea Mitchell of NBC Nightly News and she was brisked away through security. Whatever.
Andrea Mitchell: TOPGUN-1? Whatever.
I biked my way over to The Big Tent and things got even better. Sorry I didn’t get a chance to cover Michelle Obama. I’ll be in there tomorrow night to cover whoever’s speaking. Now for Part II: The fun under The Big Tent.
Favorite photo of the day: Rednecks for Obama!
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Last time I checked we were the 51st most something in the liberal blogosphere.
Its cool to hear real reports of the atmosphere. I’m looking forward for tomorrows report. 🙂
LOL! That is just too weird! Great post & pics ctrenta. Wish I could be with you at the Big Beer Tent. New Belgium makes some great beer – Fat Tire is one of my favorites.
Looking forward to the next Part!
…I read these in reverse order. I love the levity. Mika, Joe and Andrea look like they dropped in from someplace really strange.
is that seeing Mika in those heels explains alot. How could you be anything but a grumpy dipshit when you’re wearing those – ouch!!!!!