8.26.2008

First Visit to the Convention Floor By Frances Barbour

(Editor’s Note: The latest from CC’s intrepid, embedded journalist from the Democratic National Convention. How many pedometer steps is a mile?)
Tonight was my first night on the “convention floor.” 
It was fun. Really fun. 
By the time we got to the California delegation, there were no seats left.  They organize the delegates’ seats around the states that elected them.  There’s Michigan, Alabama, Idaho nearby. Tomorrow we’ll get there earlier and grab our seats. 
We went to see Maria Shriver in the VIP section.  Everyone stopped to talk to her.  She seemed so popular.  She was there to see her “Uncle Teddy” speak.  When we went up there, there were lights flashing, people taking pictures with her.   It was really busy. But she was very nice to us. 
When we went back to our seats in the California delegation, my mom and I had to hold hands very tightly.  it was so crowded.  We found seats right in front of the delegation because some nice delegates moved over for us.  Even though we couldn’t sit next to each other, it was better than standing. 
I was getting a little tired, so my mom said we would leave after Michelle Obama spoke.  There were about four people who spoke before her and tributes to former President Carter and Sen. Kennedy (“Uncle Teddy”). 
When Michelle Obama spoke, it was way better than I thought it would be.  She talked about how she and Barack met at a law firm and how she thought he had a really funny name, so he must be weird. 
She also talked about how it was the 45th anniversary of when Martin Luther King led the march on Washington D.C. and gave his famous “I have a dream” speech. 
My favorite part of Michelle Obama’s speech was when she talked about the troops. 
 She said “I believe Barack will be a good president.  He will get us out of the Iraq War.  Everyday families are saying their prayers at dinner, and they have one extra seat at dinner that is empty.”  
When Michelle Obama was done speaking, a man came onstage, and I said to my mom, “Who is this guy?”  She said at the end of every convention session there’s a person who offers a prayer. 
It was so crowded getting out that my mom and I couldn’t see each other but we were still holding hands and that’s how we stayed together — by feeling each other ‘s hand.   
While all of this was happening, I was wearing a pedometer that came in our gift bags.  I’ve been wearing it since Sunday afternoon.  I have 10,275 steps in all.  I will keep reporting my pedometer steps all week.
 
t.t.y.l (talk to you later)
-30-

Filed under: Politics



9 Comments »

  1. frances,
    i love your posts! what makes it special sharing this experience with your mom….and maybe your grandfather is there too?

    Comment by joyce deep — 8.26.2008 @ 12:50 pm

  2. Frances –

    Very nice posts. Does watching and being a part of all this make you want to be a reporter? run for office?

    Keep it up.

    Comment by Rachel Richman — 8.26.2008 @ 2:06 pm

  3. Frances,
    I am really enjoying your blogs. Your unique and fresh perspective makes each blog incredibly entertaining and informative. I can tell you are a very bright 9-year-old. I look forward to meeting you soon. Keep up the good reporting!

    Your mom’s new assistant,
    Julia Wright

    Comment by Julia Wright — 8.26.2008 @ 3:19 pm

  4. thank you everyone for the good coments!

    Comment by france's reply — 8.26.2008 @ 3:51 pm

  5. Hi, Frances! We are really enjoying reading your blogs. The way you describe the action takes me back to a couple conventions that I went to with Grandpa. I watched Michelle Obama give her speech on TV, and it was “way better” than I thought it would be too. As an old public speaking teacher, I would have to give her an A-plus. Keep up the good work, Honey. Love ya, Grandma

    Comment by Nereida Skelton — 8.26.2008 @ 4:04 pm

  6. Frances,

    What an exciting life you are living. Everyone back in Spencerport (Dad’s home town) is very proud of you. I can’t believe how grown up you are. I wish we could see you all the time but it looks like Mom and Dad are doing a good job on their own. We’ll be following your blogs and watching for you on TV. Keep up the good work and tell Mom she’s my hero.
    Love from New York

    Comment by Beth Hoben — 8.27.2008 @ 1:36 pm

  7. Frances, we like reading your blog entries, too. We’re paying attention over here at California Forward. Keep it up.

    Comment by Ryan Rauzon — 8.27.2008 @ 3:06 pm

  8. Hey Frances! You are a terrific reporter. You remember so many details and that makes your stories very interesting. I especially liked how you described holding your mom’s hand in the crowd. How exciting…and maybe a little scary. I’m so proud of you.

    Because I’m in England, I have to watch the convention in the early morning. Sometimes the speeches have already taken place. I think to myself, “I wonder what Frances will have to write about this.” I was very impressed with Senator Hilary Clinton’s speech. What did you think of Chelsea Clinton’s video narration and introduction for her mother? It was great how she could help out her mom like that. I know how special it is for your mom to have you there with her.

    I’ven enjoyed reading your blog. Let us know what you think of the other speeches. And any more weird and wonderful people who come your way.

    Comment by Aunt Donna — 8.28.2008 @ 12:45 pm

  9. great blog thanks.

    Comment by Bob Manchester — 6.08.2009 @ 5:57 am

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