Notes from the Convention by Chris Nowinski</title</head> <body> <b>Notes from the Convention by Chris Nowinski </b><p> <i>July 30, 2004 </i><p> The convention is a story of highs and lows, and today I experienced some of the quickest turns in history. I went by the Democratic GAIN training seminar at the Hynes Convention Center to listen to speeches given to about 1,000 young Democrat activists. Mick Foley, Ivory, and I had already spoken to a similar group on Tuesday. Now that Mick and Ivory had headed home, I was on my own, and I wasn’t expecting to do too much. <p> As I arrived, I saw my first protest march of the week, by some sort of anarchist-type group. At first, I was confused by the dozens of police blocking off the streets and traffic, and I thought I might see John Kerry. Then a mob of a few hundred people with signs and bullhorns came marching around the corner. The oddest sight was the bicycle police riding among them. It reminded me of those tiny fish that swim among sharks, but never get eaten. Always practice safe protesting. <p> They had actually locked the convention center doors for security reasons (I guess they didn’t know if the protesters wanted to come in), so we had to wait outside for a few minutes after the protesters went by just in case it was a trick and they were going to turn around and rush the doors. I thought that would be my excitement for the day. <p> So when I came up the escalator into the convention center, I was shocked at the number of people and press. The last time there was some press, but not as many as today. They must have heard I was coming! <p> Then I saw Teresa Heinz-Kerry. Aha! As I walked behind the velvet ropes off to the side, I saw the organizer rushing towards me. She said, “Maroon 5 is a little late. Could you please get up there and talk so that people don’t leave?” Sure, I said. So as I’m panicking and trying to construct a meaningful speech in my head, (Constructing cohesive thoughts without paper and pen is always hard since “the accident”), I look out at all the lights and riveted students, I thought, “Boy, this is going to be a tough act to follow.”<p> Then the organizer comes by again. I ask, “Am I on next?” “No, you’re on in a little bit.” Phew! Teresa Heinz-Kerry finishes and walks off the stage. I hear a commotion from backstage. “What’s going on?” I asked one of the volunteers. “P. Diddy is speaking next!” P. Diddy! Cool! As some of you might know, P. Diddy just joined the cause with his “Vote or Die” program. <p> I asked one of his entourage if I could interview him for my column. “Sure,” he said, “Sean would be happy to.” Awesome! I thought, “What a treat for my legions of readers.” But he was obviously preparing for his speech, so I thought I’d give him a minute. Unfortunately, he was introduced right away. “Oh well, I’ll get him after.” <p> He gave a speech to a rowdy crowd, and I thought about my questions. As his speech began to wind up, the girl approached me and said, “You’re on next.” Oh man, I’ll have to get my interview after. And I have to follow the keynote speaker!? Then as Puffy starts walking off the stage, he takes a quick turn and starts walking out through the crowd.<p> I thought, “That’s not good.”<p> Then I saw the audience starting to follow him. That’s not good. Then I saw the cameras turning off and packing up. That’s not good, either. Oh well, I guess this thing is over. Then I watch the girl introduce me to the backs of 1,000 people. Stop! You don’t put on a popcorn match after the main event! <p> So there I was, unprepared and unscheduled, watching P. Diddy walk out with my crowd as I go to the podium. I went from having an interview with a big star into certain doom. She said, “Please don’t leave, we have another speaker! Chris Nowinski of the WWE! 100 people turn around. 50 sit and 50 keep going. I give a good speech, but I’m stretching it out watching the door for Maroon 5. I go as long as I can go, but no one shows. “Thank you Boston, good night!” I walk off the stage. I hear the girl say, “Sorry, but Maroon 5 didn’t make it. Show’s over.” What! I went through that embarrassment for nothing? Unbelievable. Puffy and Maroon 5 are conspiring against me.<p> Anyway, in the last two nights, we’ve heard John Edwards and John Kerry work to define the Democratic Party’s 2004 platform. I’ve been listening to see how often The 18-30 VIP issues make it into the speeches. John Edwards, in one of the better performances of the convention (even battling laryngitis, I’m told), hit on most of the high points of the VIP: plans to make college more affordable, a pledge to make America secure and to defeat terrorism, and a plan for providing healthcare to all. Truly, an inspiring performance. On Thursday, it was Sen. Kerry’s turn, and a huge test for him and his message. The crowd was extremely pumped, far more than it had been all week. Maybe there was a slow build all week. They even set his speech apart in space and time with a well-crafted package on his life, not unlike what we do for a big match at a PPV. Sen. Kerry gave it everything he’s got. He wasn’t overly focused on issues for 18-to 30-year-olds, but he did allude to specifics and programs. <p> As his speech built momentum, something in the air of that arena touched me. Like a great wrestling match, the air was electric and the crowd was on the edge of their seats. I wished that the stands in the arena went on forever, that everyone 18-30 could be sitting in the crowd with me. I thought to myself, “This pageantry is well-executed enough in person that everyone who listens to it just might find that hook they need to want to learn about politics.” I imagine President Bush’s speech will have a similar effect on the RNC crowd at Madison Square Garden, and I’m sure I’ll be sitting their frustrated that you’re probably not watching. I saw this as a missed opportunity for millions of disenfranchised 18-30’s, that if they just stopped to listen and hear what the candidates were saying to them, they’d be moved enough to change their minds about voting…that it would move them to get educated and take control of their futures by choosing which vision of the future they wish for themselves. As it is, we’ll have to find another way.<p> Especially considering that I don’t think the television translated that energy across the airwaves. After the convention, I caught the replay in the hotel room, and I didn’t think the moment was as magical as it felt in person. Ah, crowd psychology can make you feel anything.<p> Most of the details available on the initiatives they actually discussed throughout the convention, and how they relate to people our age can be found in Sen. Kerry’s response to The 18-30 VIP. Smackdown Your Vote! is looking forward to updates to the response that contain more specifics regarding Sen. Kerry and Sen. Edwards’ proposed initiatives and programs.<p> By the way, I couldn’t help but notice how many trees were killed during the night’s performances to provide the myriad of manufactured signs (but I heard everything was meticulously recycled). I can’t believe what sign freaks these guys are. They were carting bins full of them around, even passing out a few during Edwards’ speech to highlight the ends of sentences. I got passed a little American flag. I didn’t want to be a pawn in their machine, but how can you turn down an American flag? On the flip side, can you be forced to wave it? It was the first time in my life I’d ever felt awkward waving an American flag. Did you see those three homemade signs in the gym in Edward’s hometown? How’d those get in there? They actually stood out and were a nice relief from the sea of manufactured placards. (Maybe they were WWE fans, who make the greatest signs). Al Sharpton had a homemade sign on stage at the end, but I don’t think he colored it himself. Ya know, either I’ve turned into a sign snob from being involved in the WWE, or I’m a little touchy from not enough sleep and too many speeches. The jury is still out. <p> Sign issues aside, the Democratic convention was a terrific experience, and I was lucky to be there. It took a while to gain momentum, but the final two nights had some exciting moments, and the enthusiasm of my peers for their challenge of getting out the vote for their Democratic team was impressive. I saw some of the final day’s speeches on television after the fact, and it was a different experience. Certainly, the convention on television was not as engaging as being there. It’s a shame that all of you cannot experience a convention for yourselves. I hope that I shared with you a bit of the excitement, the chaos and the exhilaration.<p> Now it’s on to the Republican National Convention to see how the other half lives at the end of August in the Big Apple. In the meantime, if inspiration strikes, I may offer some other observations before the Republicans big show. If you are interested, sign up to be notified when a new column appears. Email me if there are aspects of the convention you’d like me to cover <a href="mailto:smackdownyouvote@wwe.corp">(smackdownyourvote@wwecorp.com)</a>. And if you haven’t done so already, go to the <a href="http://www.smackdownyourvote.com" target="new">Smackdown Your Vote!</a> home page and register to vote. You can’t play if you don’t get in the game. Remember, you vote, you win!<p> Return to <a href="chrisarticles.html">articles</a>.<p> </body> </html>