I attended the Florida Dem State Convention this week

[tinfoilinfor2005]

and in case anyone is interested, here's a brief report:

Friday - Our trip took us nine hours due to a series of accidents on the road, so we missed Howard Dean giving the opening speech, but we arrived in time to attend the parties hosted by Jim Davis and Rod Smith, both running for governor in the upcoming election. Rod had the best party with free food and booze, a band and dancing. Jim charged for the goodies, but had more star power. Max Clelland and Bob Graham appeared together on stage in the Davis room and gave powerful words of support.

Saturday - I don't remember the order of all of the speakers, but they included Tom Vilsack, John Edwards (relaxed and inspiring speech, better than his pre-election stuff), Barney Frank (short but good speech), John Lewis (exceptional!), Barack Obama (slow start, great finish). Floridians were mostly concentrating on the speeches given by Jim Davis and Rod Smith, and I would have to give it to Smith who brought down the house. I think he tightened up the race this week, and I'm leaning toward him.

Sunday - Mark Warner gave the closing speech at the brunch but I wasn't overly impressed. Unfortunately by that time, we were all a little speeched out.

I heard rumblings from the old timers that this was not the best convention. There were lots of screw ups with parking and such, and the usual parties were pretty weak. The general consensus was that money was pretty tight so things were done on the cheap. Since this was my first convention and I didn't know any better, I thought it was fine. I even got to see Richard Dreyfuss walking around in the crowd and I am a big fan. :) So all in all, I would rate it a success.

[babylonsister]

1. Thanks for your account; I've never been to a

convention, so you're way ahead of me! I think it sounded like fun-at least you were surrounded by people you understood. :toast:

[tinfoilinfor2005]

6. I would definitely recommend attending one if you get the chance.

Everyone is very friendly and you don't have to watch what you say about the bush brothers, lol! Oh, I forgot, Bill Nelson also spoke, but I've seen speak before, and since he's let me down several times, I didn't really take his words all that seriously.

[Dudley_DUright]

2. Thanks for the excellent report

I got to visit senator Graham's office in DC a few years ago (before he retired and we got stuck with Mel) and I have met Max a few times personally since he is an alum of my university. Sounds like some big national names were in attendance.

[FreedomAngel82]

5. Oh yes

I had an opportunity to meet Cleland not long ago. He came here for a Kamfur (sp?) dinner. I didn't get to go though.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

7. Last year Graham came to the Keys on his last day of work

before his official retirement, and helped us to wrap Christmas presents for the orphaned kids. I was the only one wearing a Santa hat, so the press dragged me into the picture that made the front page of the Miami Herald. Me and the Senator, like old buds. :) He sat down with us afterward and ate stale sandwiches in the church rec room. Real nice guy.

[FreedomAngel82]

3. Sounds like you had a pretty good time over all

I would've loved to been there to see all the star power.

[stop the bleeding]

4. I heard a 5 minute excerpt from Barney Frank's speech and it was

very good, but I have not had a chance to hear excerpts of the others. BTW I live on the west coast of Florida.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

8. Yes, his speech was good, but I wish you could have heard John Lewis.

He had us laughing and crying and clapping like crazy people. He was really terrific.

[SW FL Dem]

9. Wish I could have been there

I was appointed but had a conflict. I was there in 2003 for the last convention where most of the Dem Presidential hopefuls spoke - that was awesome!