I'm at the California Democratic Convention this weekend

Just a few random thoughts:

I had no idea what to expect when I arrived and I am not quite sure I have figured out what exactly goes on here. I think it's safe to say that nothing happening here is taught in the average high school civics class. I look at all the California Young Democrats and realize that they probably know more than I do about this process.

All the important state Dems are here from John Garamendi on down. Nancy Pelosi showed up. Mayor McHottie gave an amazing speech about San Francisco not waiting for Washington, SF is doing it anyway. Bill Clinton is due tomorrow. There are lots of parties and protesting and people selling books and buttons, but really it is one big shmooze-fest.

The delegates and super-delegates all wear badges indicating their delegate status. I've talked to a couple now, and asked them to clarify what exactly it is that they do, and every answer starts with, "Well, it's complicated..."

It is.  I still don't get it.

Nancy Pelosi spoke last night and applause was polite but not wildly enthusiastic. I stood up and gave her a standing O for standing up to the old guard politicians and asking delegates to vote the people's choice. I wondered if the light applause was because the power-players in the room were all supporting Hillary. But when she said that come the fall history would be made one way or another that either a woman or an African-American would be elected president, the cheers for Obama were overwhelming. Delegates and Super-delegates in the room,  I hope you were listening. Elected officials: I know a lot of you are for Hillary, but if you want to be elected again, you better vote for what your electorate wants. I wonder if everyone who voted for Hillary during our primary would vote for her now.

Last night we went to a hospitality suite got a blogger get-together given by Crystal Strait, a delegate who is also actively involved with the young Democrat movement.  There were only about 5 or 6 bloggers in the room when we entered, but wow. Nothing kills a party full of young hipstery bloggers in hoodies than letting it be known that you're a mom. I felt the vibe shift immediately, as if once you hit 30 and/or have kids you can't possibly progressive or hey, even have a brain. Well, Gavin Newsom was caught reading MOMocrats this morning so I think our little blog is doing alright.

What I do realize is that while I love to talk about politics and share my swear words and exclamation points about politics on my blogs, I do not have it in me to "do" politics. (Being the Chair of the Arts Commission for my city was enough.) I am not cut out to kiss that much ass. I also don't like to wear pantyhose.

More later.

Comments

[pamela]

Love your political posts- the whole process confuses me.

[cat/bad kitty]

OMG, did you talk to Gavin?! Did he flirt with you again?

[Donna]

LOL at your description of us killing the vibe. It's especially funny, because I thought the other bloggers in the room looked like typical Trekkie/Techie types.

Mommybloggers are way cooler, IMHO. And definitely more stylish.