Awesome Video

An awesome video called “by the numbers” is showing right now.

Chair’s Point Of Personal Privilege & Housekeeping

Chairman Ritchie has taken a moment of personal privilege to recognize first-time attendees to the TDP Convention. Literally more than half of the convention hall has stood up. Hilda Burks, from SD 5, who has attended every convention since the 1950s was also recognized. Very cool.

Chairman Ritchie is announcing housekeeping matters: The presidential preference poll is open for one hour to allow delegates who have not to designate their presidential preference. This announcement was required under the rules. 99 percent of people have already done this.

Now, the credentials committee will begin meeting on Level 3–this one will be a barn-burner.

Chairman Ritchie says “you’ve made history and we’re just getting started.

“IN the two years since our last convention; we built a stronger grassroots organization…we built an interactive voter file used by 2000 Democrats used by presidential campaigns to precinct chairs….we had a run of victories that set the table for 2008. We won two congressional seats that helped Democrats take back a majority in Congress. [Aside from Nate: Nate says that every time the Chair says "we" it reminds him of the Nintendo Wii commercials.]

“We worked with local party leaders to turn Dallas County blue in 2006 and, by the way, Harris County, you’re next.  We just had a party primary with two of the best candidates who have ever run for president in my lifetime. And, because of you, we’ve changed this wonderful party of ours.

“From the campaign for president to campaigns for the courthouse, when we leave this convention united, we’re going to change Texas, one voter at a time and in all 254 counties of this great state. Thank you again for all of your hard work.”

2008 TDP Convention A Packed House

Here is a photo taken from the press area that shows you just how packed the convention hall is today:

Convention Liveblogging: Chair’s Welcome

TDP Chair Boyd Ritchie is calling the convention to order right now. The blogger area is actually to the far left of the stage, so the view isn’t too bad but it isn’t that great either. We do have a huge JumboTron right in front of us, though.

The Chairman is explaining the rules process, etc.

TDP Convention Liveblogging Begins

At long last Capitol Annex is beginning our liveblogging of the Texas Democratic Convention. Nate Nance from Common Sense is sitting over my shoulder to make witty comments.

Chelsea Clinton will be speaking later, as will Tom Caine. We’ll bring you coverage of all that–and more–live.

In addition, if you need a log-in to the Caucus Blog to blog, please email me at vince.leibowitz@gmail.com

Call me Capt. America

I asked Vince if I could write for him this weekend at the Democratic State Convention. I’ve been out of the loop for quite a few months and just because of the need to maintain my sanity, I’m diving in head first with a Rick Noriega press conference.

When I woke up this morning, I seriously had to question myself. I had to ask myself ‘What the hell am I doing here?’ With just four hours of sleep after a raucous night with all the other bloggers - old friends and faces that I haven’t seen in years - and free booze, it’s just insane to think that we can get up and ask pertinent questions of candidates running for crucial races.

If I wasn’t such an old hand at covering political events I would probably be laughing at the lady singing the national anthem over the PA system for a soundcheck. She doesn’t even know that we can hear her in the press room!

In all seriousness, Noriega spoke about Sen. Cornyn being “AWOL” from an important vote regarding energy independence, how much Texas families are being hurt by the status quo and calling on the senator to debate him in Wiley, Texas. Not a bad press event considering all the interruptions due to the sound check in the main ballroom.

Being here, you can see just how much people are excited about November. Just five seats from control of the state house, with Sen. Obama at the top of the ticket and Noriega running neck-and-neck with an incumbent senator in the biggest statewide race, the potential for change is almost tangible.

With ‘unity stories’ running rampant, things are looking up for the Democrats. I’m optimistic for the first time in months.

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