Sharing my Democratic Convention front row seat
A few reflections on the Democratic Convention
Let’s start this post with an important note to readers: I’m not going to tell you how to vote or make predictions about who’s going to win elections.
But I was a witness to history this week and now I’m writing about it.
During my Des Moines Register, I was not allowed to participate in politics. Employees could vote, but not caucus, contribute or even put a bumper sticker on their cars. Things changed when I retired in 2019.
That’s how I found myself attending the Iowa Caucuses on a chilly winter night seven months ago.
And how I would eventually end up in Chicago’s United Center at the Democratic National Convention as an Iowa delegate — watching history being made Thursday as Kamala Harris and Tim Walz were nominated for the Democrats’ national ticket.
Pinch me.
Inside the convention hall Thursday at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago’s United Center. (Photo by John Naughton.)
I typically don’t write about politics — there’s plenty of opportunities to select an Iowa Writers Collaborative to find that — but I do write about my personal experiences, and this is one of them.
So, if you’re looking for deep analysis of politics or cheerleading for one candidate or another, look elsewhere. And whether you support Trump, Harris or someone else, you can read on for fun or information.
I have friends from every political party and I’m a good listener. You can even tell me something that I may not like (eek!) and I won’t get offended or block you on social media.
I’m going to share a few of my experiences and will share a few lighter moments in upcoming posts.
The obligatory selfie from Thursday in the hoopla following Harris’ speech. (Photo by John Naughton.)
The Democratic National Convention, as you may have seen on your TV or phone, comes across as a combination of a pep rally and behind-the-scenes series of meetings, parties and political moves.
How did I become a delegate? In a way, it was like advancing to a state tournament or the Iowa State Fair. My experience was this: I showed up at my precinct caucus and since I wanted to move to the Polk County Convention in March, I signed up. From there, it was the District Convention and the State Convention.
I just wanted to be an alternate. And that’s unusual, I guess. Kind of like being an alternate for your kid’s Little League team, right? And then you find yourself wearing a name tag and getting a close view of Presidents, politicians and parties.
President Barack Obama addressing the convention. (Photo by John Naughton.)
A few little-known facts and observations about my delegate experience:
*Most delegates seem like typical Iowans, not politicos obsessed by candidates and issues (and I will state for the record that Republican counterparts must be the same). Friendly people that can carry on conversations on a variety of subjects.
*Delegates are responsible for most of their own expenses, such as travel and lodging. Thus I drove to Chicago and paid for my own parking, gas, hotel and most meals.
*There are freebies involved, including invitations to receptions and parties. The parties may be open to all, but many are invite only and featured celebrities and special musical guests (I’ll tell you about John Legend, Common, a cast of oldies performers and a billionaire governor another time…)
Of course, I had a chance to show off my dressy side at the convention. How could I not? (Photo provided by John Naughton.)
*Chicago did a great job hosting this event. There were protests here and there, but they appeared civil. Police and volunteers were friendly and helpful. Security lines were long and inspections thorough as a major concert, but well-organized and efficient. Most delegates seemed to be having the time of their lives.
*My wardrobe featured a lot of suits, and I’m thankful temperatures in Chicago were in the 70s and 80s, not the 90s. I wore a purple suit (with yellow), a red, white and blue outfit, a dusty rose suit with green (I later learned these are Harris’ sorority colors) and white (with black). If you saw a lot of people wearing white Thursday, it was in part because when women suffragettes were protesting more than a century ago, they frequently wore that color. There was a message to that wardrobe, Harris accepted the nomination.
*This was a travel experience unlike a vacation. I stayed up until 3 a.m. daily and woke up at 6 or 7 a.m. for meetings. There was no time to get Johnnie’s Italian Beef. (I was able to stop at Davenport’s Portillo’s for a Chicago style hot dog on the drive home.)
*There’s such a thing as speech fatigue at these events. But it’s part of the process, in my view. I enjoy following politics and relish a well-written speech, too. It has become an art.
*If you watched the Ceremonial Roll Call on TV and heard Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration” play when it was Iowa’s turn, you may have wondered the same thing I did — Why did many songs have a connection to a state (“Sweet Home Alabama” for Alabama, a Tom Petty song for Florida, etc.) when Iowa didn’t? This was debated in the stands as well as online.
*There’s a lot of made-for-TV moments associated with the conventions. A lot of media in attendance (and I ran into a few former co-workers, too). The only interview I did was with a reporter writing about fashion… and that was fun.
Readers, do you have any questions about the convention or the process? Would I do it again? Yes. But the next time I visit Chicago, it will be for a concert and an Italian beef sandwich and sausage… double dipped, please!
Once again, John, thanks for taking us along. The convention looked to be great fun. I wish I could have been there!