DENVER
Thurs., Aug. 28 @ 11:30 p.m.:
It was an impressive show in Denver. Now the question is, Did it convince anybody? From my vantage point the audience here at the stadium got what it wanted or expected.
Joe Biden showed up, a decision we are told not made until a few hours before he appeared.
There were more people than expected, at 84,000. And they all had to find alternate transportation. No private vehicles, and a long walk for thousands of people.
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
Thurs., Aug. 28 @ 6:45 p.m.:
Sheryl Crow and now Stevie Wonder, then Al Gore and Barack Obama. The crowd keeps growing. It's like a big rock concert. People of all ages. And they are in the zone. It will be mayhem when Obama comes out. People walked miles and waited around in the heat. It's a sea of American flags on the field.
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
Thurs., Aug. 28 @ 3:40 p.m.:
We are here!!! We left our workspace at the Pepsi Center at 1:45 p.m. It is now 3:30. It is only a mile. There is music to entertain the crowd until the political speeches begin. There is already a crowd and Obama doesn't speak until 8:30 MT.
There is no respite from the sun in the stadium. Remember, this is also Mile High Stadium and the sun feels close enough to touch.
There is a disabed Iraq War vet speaking. A U.S. Marine. He opposes the war.
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
Thurs., Aug. 28 @ 2:15 p.m.:
It's interesting how many people attending and covering the convention look as if they have had no sleep. It goes with the territory whether working as a journalist or schmoozing like a politician.
I am now in a two-block line of photographers, reporters and techs. Photographer Edgar Alcala and I are schlepping all the gear we think we'll need. We'll soon be on a bus with any luck. All 75,000 people have to find some other way to Invesco Field. No private vehicles and many of the major roads and freeways are being closed.
I talked with one businessman who is trying to get all his delivery people back in the office to beat the expected traffic chaos. We've moved 20 feet in 30 minutes. Not unlike the 405 Freeway in rush hour.
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
Wed., Aug. 27 @ 11:45 p.m.:
Amazing night. People were hanging off the rafters. I didn't know there were seats to the ceiling. Bill Clinton was in his zone and of course went long. Joe Biden showed how he will make a great attack dog.
The big thing here is the move to Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium. All the technical equipment it took weeks to set up in the Pepsi Center is being moved to the stadium. There are convoys of Secret Service escorting trucks all night. The moving crews have a huge job.
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
Wed., Aug. 27 @ 6 p.m.:
Democrats had it planned to hit the network newscasts at at 6:30. They couldn't shut the roll call speeches down. But as planned, after a roll call put Obama over the top, Clinton moved to stop the vote and have Barack Obama made the nominee. So it went.
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
Wed., Aug. 27 @ 9 a.m.:
California is overwhelmingly Clinton delegate territory. The people who are die-hard Clinton delegates will vote for her on the first ballot. Then most of them will have no problem going with Obama.
We still don't know if there will be a full roll call. But the consensus is Hillary Clinton hit a home run last night. Question is how it played with people outside the hall.
The Democrats started getting back to the McCain-bashing last night. The new watchword is "McSame." Even former Congressman Leon Panetta tells me they have to get back on message.
I know that Denver is making some money off this convention. Our parking fee has doubled from $10 to $20 in three days. It's the American way.
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
Tues., Aug. 26 @ 6 p.m.:
The speakers so far haven't been very cutting in their criticisms of John McCain. Up now is Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell. There has been criticism of Monday's opening because no one took the gloves off. It was all warm and fuzzy with no sharp message.
Not many delegates here at 5 p.m. local time. The place will be full as the prime-time speakers get under way. The climax is Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. She showed her strength as a campaigner in the final days. Now the pressure is on her to help unite Democrats.
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
Tues., Aug. 26 @ 7:55 a.m.:
Attorney Gloria Allred actually put a gag on herself at the California delegation breakfast. She wore a gag to dramatize her protest that the California Democrats won't let her tell Clinton delegates they should vote for Clinton on the first ballot.
For those who know Gloria, she never misses a chance to talk to the cameras. It was a surprising interlude.
A few delegates said the gag was a welcome addition.
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
Tues., Aug. 26 @ 7:10 a.m.:
The California delegates meet for their second day and breakfast. Those I've talked with are still buzzing about Ted Kennedy's amazing appearance and speech. Nearly everyone thinks Michelle Obama hit a home run. Some think the satellite hookup with Barack Obama from Kansas City was contrived and a little strained.
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
Mon., Aug. 25 @ 10:50 p.m.:
We are waiting for a midnight live shot from a nearly empty Pepsi Center. Security guards, janitors and jounalists are the only people around. It has been quite a night.
Ted Kennedy's appearance here wasn't assured until the last minute. His speech would have been a good political speech under normal circumstances. Instead his appearance and determination brought tears to the eyes of many hardened political veterans.
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
Mon., Aug. 25 @ 4:40 p.m.:
It's finally started. A few pro-Hillary Clinton supporters are outside who apparently don't have the word that inside everyone is trying to make nice.
A lot of empty seats early. All are waiting for the biggies like Nancy Pelosi, Michelle Obama. Maybe even Ted Kennedy will speak. From the trailer to the skybox isn't bad. About 100 yards and three flights of stairs carrying the gear. It's when you discover the altitude is not your lungs' friend.
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
Mon., Aug. 25 @ 8:00 a.m.:
It's the first day of the convention. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is greeted as a hero by the California Delegation. They will meet every morning to hear speakers pump them up to go out and work when this is over. These are the people who do the grunt work and make the difference.
Big disappointment. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton canceled. The New York senator is speaking to her delegates.
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
Mon., Aug. 25 @ 4:08 a.m.:
It's 5 a.m. in Denver. It helps to have your hotel near the action. However, ours is a 30-minute drive from where we need to be in a short while. Every morning the California Democrats meet for breakfast at their hotel. Speakers like Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton will be there. So photographer Edgar Alcala and I must be there. And with so many roads blocked off and Monday morning traffic, it should be a lot of fun driving across Denver.
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
Sun., Aug. 24 @ 11:38 a.m.:
It always happens. We got into the Pepsi Center with the right credentials. Now we are locked in because of a protest and can't make it to cover the California delegation as it comes to town.
Not now anyway.
They are protesting anything from the war to AIDS funding. Lot of anti-war protestors.
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
Sun., Aug. 24 @ 8:30 a.m.:
It happens everywhere, but downtown Denver has been transformed into blocked and one-way streets. Heavily armed police are getting ready for anti-war demonstrations. And we have been driving for 40 minutes to find our way to the Pepsi Center. It goes with the territory. City is getting ready for the big start tomorrow.
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
Sat., Aug. 23 @ 7:55 p.m.:
Traveling is so much fun these days. I'm off to Denver to cover an historic Democratic convention. Two carry-ons. Eight pieces of big luggage with all the camera and editing gear.
But United cancelled our flight. We didn't know it until we saw horrendous lines at United curbside checking. Now we are wait-listed on one flight and booked on an even later flight. It means we won't be able to drop our gear and get credentials until some time Sunday. And shoot a story sometime that afternoon.
Traveling is so much fun now!
- See a slideshow of John North's behind-the-scenes photos while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
- See a slideshow of the Democratic National Convention
