Lovely New Bern, North Carolina - location of the 2008 North Carolina Democratic Convention and location of me after a "refreshing" early morning drive.
I arrived at the convention an hour or so before it started, and I spent that time helping one of the Bev. Perdue people and one of the John Brooks people set up their signs.
Once in the convention center there was the long hall way seen under the sailboat in the above picture. The hallway, I thought, represented one of the neatest things about the whole convention: capitalism. People were there with buttons, t-shirts, bumper stickers, hats, etc for the candidates and political ideas. Plus tables were set up for some political action groups, which I should have taken better pictures of. Upstairs from the room pictured above were classrooms where the classes I participated in - Grassroots and one about arguing the issues - took place.
The real exciting things didn't start until the convention started. The picture above shows the stage Chairman Meek and other speakers spook on, and the projector screen where relevant images and text were shown.
But everyone already knows there's going to be speakers and speeches at a convention. At the convention I saw (and participated in) one of the best examples of democracy open for everyone: adopting the state party's platform. Every resolution and idea for the party's platform was orated by Chairman Meek and every resolution and idea for the party's platform was open for amendments or discussion and then voted on. Everyone in that room had a voice if they wanted to speak it. I doubt most people even knew anyone could give a voice on any of the resolutions brought up. Truly an excellent day to be an American.(if you're interested, Resolution 80 was not passed and in fact I was one of those who spoke against it)
Above is the microphone people people used if they wanted to voice an opinion, and there was another mic on the other side of the room.
A few hours after the convention ended began the second Sanford-Hunt Dinner, in honor of Terry Sanford and Jim Hunt, both governors of this great state and overall amazing Americans. (read the wikipedia page)
At the actual dinner the events included delicious food and awesome speakers, such as from the former Mississippi governor (and Obama supporter) and Jim Hunt himself. Overall, it was an excellent experience and a great way to top off the day.
What's left of the amazing North Carolina Style Barbeque.
This above is sort of a business card for one of the anti-war groups at the convention.
Me and my bad haircut with State Chairman Jerry Meek! (it should be noted I'm not four foot tall)
Above is my fellow 3rd District Obama Delegate, the always lovely Tricia Ben-Davies.
Above in the front of the photo is my hero and fellow North Carolina Obama Delegate, Donald Hughes.
Lovely hotel room at the "lovely" Bridgepointe Inn.
New Bern!
-Jared
jaredmhagemann@gmail.com
(sorry for the late post)
