The world is watching

Today’s the big day. Though demonstrations began Saturday evening, today delegates, politicians and the media horde converge on Denver’s Pepsi Center for the opening of the 2008 Democratic Convention.

Security is tight with a capital T-I-G-H-T. The streets surrounding the Pepsi Center are closed. The press parking lots are a good 15-minute hike away, separated from the event center by concrete blockades and multiple security checkpoints. Media burdened like donkeys lug laptops, multiple cell phones, tripods, cameras, recording equipment and all manner of electrical cords through the checkpoints, showing our press tags, which are digitally scanned.

The major networks are, of course, commanding premium space. Across from the working press stands are boxes set aside for CNN, PBS, CBS, NBS and Faux News, er… Fox.

Right now musical acts are rehearsing in what seems to be a giant sound check, an enormous electronic display behind the speaker podium glittering with iridescent floating stars and red and white stripes.

Among the reporters surround us are a handful from African nations and scores from Europe and Asia — Scandinavia, Italy, Japan, Korea, China. It’s a reminder that this convention — and specifically this election — is important to the entire world.

Europeans, who loved President Clinton but can’t abide George W, are waiting to see whether the American people redeem themselves by ousting the GOP and righting the wrongs done to the international community by the Bush administration. Excited by Sen. Barack Obama’s visit to Europe a few weeks ago, they’re hopeful that the United States, plagued with a bad economy and chastened by lack of progress in Iraq and failing international support, will behave as the great Winston Churchill said Americans behave: by doing the right thing after all other options have been exhausted.

The media, a cynical lot, are busy analyzing and over analyzing everything. As one stands in line waiting for one’s many bags to be searched, one overhears speculation that Clinton supporters are pissed. (Well, no kidding.) Some even wondered aloud whether Sen. Hillary Clinton might, in the wake of Obama’s choice of Joe Biden for his running mate, have enough votes to clinch the nomination. Expect mainstream media to hit the Clinton angle hard today.

Insider hint: When reporters start interviewing reporters, it means they have nothing to report.

The convention officially begins at 3 this afternoon. Right now, delegates and media alike are just trying to get to the Pepsi Center.

—Pamela White

Photos by Dana Logan