Jefferson-Jackson Day: Dinnertime

Well, it's time to blog again. As usual, there are technical difficulties and it appears I'm the only blogger with Internet access. We tried to hook up a router through my laptop to use my aircard, but no go. Tech support here sucks. (just kidding, Curt!)

We opened with two videos: one from TheRealMcCain.com and one a musical rendition of Yes, We Can (featuring a bunch of celebrities, most of whom I'm too old to recognize -- heh). Now we have the invocation and the presentation of the colors, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. (See, Republicans -- you don't own patriotism, you assholes.) Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) just walked in right in front of me. I didn't confront him like I did last year, though ...

Mitch Caesar, Broward County Democratic chair, is speaking now. He just asked for a remembrance for Tim Russert. "This election will not be about Internet rumors ... this election will not even be about Joe Lieberman whispering in his candidate's ear what the real answer is ... we will no longer be a red state and be a blue state in 2008 -- now and forever!"

Caesar introduces "a person who's done a fabulous, tireless, and wonderful job ... our [Florida Democratic Party] chair Karen Thurman." Thurman: we have already begun canvassing, walking precincts ... this is only the beginning. Now is our time ... it wasn't always this tough. I was fortunate to be in Washington during the good years. (For some reason, a huge influx of people just came into the banquet hall, and there's a great amount of talking and milling around ... how weird.) It is time to elect a president who can look a struggling working family in the eye and say honestly, "I'm fighting for you." We need to elect a leader who can lead this country in a new direction -- we need to elect Barack Obama!

More Thurman: throughout this campaign, don't forget that we are all in this together. Brave Americans are fighting for us in distant lands every day. Regardless of how you feel about the war, the soldiers deserve our respect. This flag [Thurman shows a folded flag] flew over Camp Victory in Iraq two weeks ago, and she is giving it to state Senate candidate Fred Taylor, a veteran, on behalf of all veterans.

Next up is Florida's highest ranking Democrat, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink. She said, "didn't we have a great woman candidate for president?" Scattered applause. She has been "glued to the TV" over the last couple of days watching the Russert coverage, and she remembers the white board he held in 2000 when he said the election comes down to three words: "Florida, Florida, Florida." Sink: "I need help in Tallahassee ...