Lori Sellner’s B-log

"Conventions"

08/28/2008

Our Thanks to Lori Sellner - CD1 Chair and CD1 Representative to the Democratic Convention in Denver for sharing her experiences with us.


Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday Night


What an exciting evening for everyone on the Pepsi Center - and very emotional at times. The Roll Call went well and Hillary Clinton was a real class act with her motion to endorse by acclamation - it gave me goosebumps!

Then a rousing appearance and speech by Bill Clinton - got a very long standing ovation. I'm sure you all saw it and he did exactly what we knew he would do by saying that he believes Barack Obama is very much ready and qualified to be President of the U.S.

And what a great speech by Joe Biden - put tears in my eyes, especially when he spoke about his mother and they showed her on the big screen. A delegate behind me got a text about 5 minutes before the Biden speech ended saying Barack was going to come out, so it wasn't a surprise to me but it was still so great! And Joe's grandson - so adorable.

Some tidbits - Minnesota is probably the loudest delegation and doing the most cheers. I shook Senator Kerry's hand when he walked up our steps before 3pm - he gave one of the best speeches I've heard him give. Dennis Kucinich actually came into our delegation area and shook our hands - he also gave a great speech the night before.

That's it for now. Getting a bit of downtime before heading to Invesco field. The heat is probably going to wear us down a bit, but I know the music and speeches will be great! Our MN delegation party runs afterwards until 2am and they apparently have karaoke. I only sing in church, so don't count on me trying to exercise my vocal cords.

I'll try to post more photos this weekend - they uploaded rather slowly last time. So continue to check this out through Labor Day.

Posted by Lori at 9:58 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Tuesday

Very exhausted today but looking forward to Biden tonight. We also get to officially vote today.

My highlights from yesterday - we had a dinner at Morton's Steak House compliments of Congressman Jim Oberstar. I chose the filet mignon - the best I've had! Also got to sit at the same table as VP Mondale.

The Schweitzer speech was fabulous and probably should have been a keynote - he really got everyone excited. And of course Hillary Clinton hit the ball out of the park and showed that we are really going to be unified behind our candidate.

Joe Scarborough and his partner on his show (Morning Joe on MSNBC) - Mika? - walked up the steps by us and Spike Lee was seen walking down that stairway.

I know this is short, but I really do need a breather before our Dayton lunch and heading to the the Pepsi Center again.

A highlight for this morning - I put $1.75 in the pop machine and got three bottles out! That did actually happen, but it's not really my highlight.

Posted by Lori at 10:42 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, August 26, 2008


This is going to be quick because of time constraints.

Thanks to everyone who texted, called or emailed that they saw me on MSNBC dancing or CNN or C-Span... RT Rybak recognized the 5 of us in my row doing the cheering and dancing and suggested that the entire MN delegation needed to follow our example! Really, Rebecca Otto was the instigator.

Was a fabulous start to the convention as most of you know - very moving speeches by Sen. Kennedy and Michelle Obama. None of us really knew if Sen. Kennedy was going to be there to speak and so many of us had tears in our eyes by the time he was finished. A great, posititive, uplifting experience for all of us!

Had a long but great breakfast meeting with several speakers, but certainly the most rousing one was Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee - it was a speech that would have all of the national delegates at the Pepsi Center on their feet if they heard it.

Soon off to a luncheon sponsored by Rep. Oberstar before we find our way to the convention again for more great speeches by Sen. Clinton and Gov. Mark Warner.

Posted by Lori at 8:47 AM 1 comments

Monday, August 25, 2008

Posted by Lori at 10:22 AM 0 comments


Posted by Lori at 10:05 AM 0 comments

First Minnesota Delegation Meeting

We just finished our first Minnesota breakfast meeting and heard from some great local speakers - Vice President Mondale, our next Senator Al Franken, our co-chairs, Mayor RT Rybak and Sen. Klobuchar along with Teamsters President James Hoffa Jr. Then we got our surprise speaker of the day, Howard Dean. He proceeded to talk about the 50 state program and thanked Minnesota for investing in it because it helped elect Tim Walz to Congress! A great moment for those of us from the 1st.

The convention starts at 3pm today and we'll be hearing from Michelle Obama tonight so I'm expecting a great speech. Just heard on the news that Bon Jovi and Springsteen may be playing at Invesco on Thursday before and after the Obama speech - very, very excited about that!

I'll try to upload some photos from the breakfast for everyone. Hope you all check out C-Span - Sen. Klobuchar speaks today between 5:30 and 6pm.
Posted by Lori at 9:10 AM 0 comments


Sunday, August 24, 2008
Welcoming the delegates
Just arrived back at our hotel after enjoying a party to welcome all of the delegates - lots of music, drinks food like any party. It was in recognition of Katrina victims and the music was primarily New Orleans jazz - but also included recording artist Randy Newman who has done many film songs over the last couple of decades. DNC chair, Howard Dean, gave us a rousing welcome also. Prior to getting on the bus to this event I was lucky enough to have a channel 5 cameraman come over and ask to get a closeup of the buttons on my shirt - so if you see some good buttons on the Channel 5 news, they're probably mine!

Spent the earlier part of the day going to a presidential exihibit that will also be in St. Paul next week. Was a very hot day and our bus ride back got delayed in the downtown area by the peace activists walking through the area. Some of them told me they'd also be in St. Paul next week - very nice people exercising their rights to express their views.

The Minnesota delegation meets each morning at 7am, beginning tomorrow, so this is it for me tonight. The real business starts tomorrow.