Overheard in Denver
A lot of the Friday chatter was about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain’s pick for VP nominee. Most of the Democrats were pretty pleased with her selection. More than one said it was reminiscent of George Bush’s 1988 pick of Dan Quayle, suggesting that both picks overlooked more experienced and/or qualified candidates in an attempt to reach a demographic group. Of course, any pick like this is made with political calculations and considerations, and we’ll know how this one panned out in November.
On that subject and others, here are some comments heard and overheard in Denver the week of the Democratic National Convention.
“I think it’s great. She’s anti-choice, pro-gun, no experience. I’ve met her and she’s very nice, but she’s a great one for Democrats to run against.”
- Woman on the selection of Palin as GOP VP candidate
“[There are] some second rate celebrities. I don’t know who they are, and I don’t care. (Pause) And I know you don’t either.”
- Older man on street when I asked why a small mob of gawkers was blocking the sidewalk ahead.
“I’ve been to the Olympics, and that is much easier to sneak into than the convention. Here you have professional bluff runners who will call you on it, and you aren’t getting by on a bluff at the convention.”
“I’ve been to the Republican convention, and it is nothing like this.”
“Yes, she gave the speech last night that she should have given in May and then shut up.”
- Woman on rail transportation speaking on phone about Hillary’s speech.
“You have a guy in Alabama, Davis, that could be right there where Barack Obama is. He’s that good.”
- Washington, DC, camera man on Artur Davis when he learned on a media bus that I was from Alabama
“I hear the Alabama delegation threw quite a party the other night. Music in the alley? I wish our delegation would do something like that. Everybody’s talking about it.”
- Colorado volunteer convention host upon meeting Alabamians on the street
“I’ve heard people say, ‘I wouldn’t beg Joe Reed for floor tickets,’ and I’m like, ‘Are you crazy? I would! For floor tickets? Sure!’”
“Yep, I’m one of a few professional pedi-cab drivers. This is what I do.”
“I’m so excited about Obama. He inspired me to run as a delegate. I have already made my reservations for a hotel in Washington in January.”
- Mississippi delegate on plane to Denver
…yawn…
Comment by Anonymous — August 30, 2008 @ 10:03 pm
Not anywhere as nearly as boring as a bunch of republicans on this list calling Democrats names and making up stupid stuff to yuck yuck about.
Comment by Pecan Jim — August 30, 2008 @ 10:36 pm
Davis may be great in D.C. but he is not great in Alabama. If he ran for Governor and got past the primary the GOP would sweep the table. In a past poll only 53% of Alabamians said they would feel comfortable electing a black man. I would expect this poll to drop even lower. In the past exit polls are always higher than the actual results show when there is an African-American candidate. He is nearly middle-aged and not married. He has the handshake of a floppy fish. Who cares if he has two Harvard degrees, the people of Alabama surly don’t. He was the first to support Obama outside of Illinois. He gave Obama’s nomination speech at the convention. The majority of Alabama voters will not be pleased with his far-left politics. Rarely has he ever done anything to help out the impoverished black belt. He needs to give up all hope of being Governor. Save the Democratic Party the embarrassment and stay in Congress or get an appointment in an Obama Administration, if there ever is one. Alabama does not an out of touched elitist as their next Governor.
Any hope for the Democratic Party lies with a strong populist candidate who is in touch with the cares and concerns of people of Alabama. Sparks or Folsom are both strong Democratic contenders that could easily win outside of the primary. Both have won in Cullman County that is evidence enough. I still think Sparks could have strongly contested Sessions for his Senate seat. Both have done well all across the state and both are humble leaders.
To steal a line from Sen. Clinton, “No Way, No How, No Davis!!!”
Comment by Troy College Dem — August 31, 2008 @ 12:33 am
Danny, I want to congratulate you and the 4 bloggers from Left in Alabama for a job well done in Denver and to thank all of you for the coverage you provided. It was a different type of coverage than was provided by most professional journalists, just as professional as theirs, and quite refreshing and informative.
Comment by Don — August 31, 2008 @ 7:37 am
In response to the slam on Davis in #3, My guess is you’ve never actually seen him on the stump. Two weeks ago, he absolutely wowed Birmingham Kiwanis, a pretty conservative outfit, a week before, he gave the best speech I’ve heard an Alabama pol give at Vestavia Chamber of Commerce. A week before that, he blew away a crowd at an Obama fundraiser in Birmingham.
If Davis runs, he will be a lot tougher that Troy College Dem thinks.
Comment by magic city dem — August 31, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
Exactly! He blew away the crowd with a good speech, so what. I have met him in person. How else would I know he is a good speaker but he lacks a strong handshake with eye contact? He may make it out of the primary but will get served in the general election. Again, good speeches and Harvard degrees will not get him votes in Alabama. The Republicans will use the politics of fear to turn voters against him. They will use the race card and the fact that he is not married.
I would vote him but I would rather vote for someone that could win.
Sparks/Folsom in 2010!
Comment by Troy College Dem — August 31, 2008 @ 8:56 pm
Or Folsom/Sparks. I want a winning tickect!
Comment by Troy College Dem — August 31, 2008 @ 8:57 pm
Interesting that the delegates are equating Palin to Quayle. That was my immediate thought when she was announced - an attempt to get the female vote with a young governor from a red state. The only difference I see (beside the obvious of gender) is that Palin went to the University of Idaho, so I’m sure she knows how to spell potato (or is that potatoe?).
Comment by Truthsleuth — September 1, 2008 @ 12:08 am
Thank you, Don, for the kind word. I was grateful for the opportunity and tried particularly to find points of interest related to Alabama politics.
Troy College Dem, since you mentioned the handshake twice, I’ll mention that he must have been working on it because it’s stronger now than it used to be.
Truthsleuth, fwiw, Quayle was not a governor. Maybe you knew that and I didn’t read your comment as you intended it.
Comment by Danny — September 1, 2008 @ 1:52 am
overheard in an airplane headed out of denver by a high ranking democrat official:
“you see, it’s funny. That New Orleans will get a hurricane. That’s funny because it is due to hit when President Bush is scheduled to speak. Isn’t that cool?”
nothing, mr. fowler is cool about this storm, you partisan sob…
Comment by Anonymous — September 1, 2008 @ 6:56 am
Yeah Danny, I knew. I was focusing more on Palin. Thanks.
Comment by Truthsleuth — September 1, 2008 @ 5:01 pm