Wrap-Up from the West Coast
(Cross-Posted to DemNotes at www.DemNotes.com)
Well, most everybody has left here in San Francisco, as the DNC’s Western Regional Caucus wrapped up its 2007 meetings here on Sunday morning with a breakfast sponsored by Speaker Pelosi (sponsored by the Speaker, but she was not there). I’m still here, with my family, taking a mini-vacation and enjoying the Northern California sights and activities.
Since I last wrote, we heard from all of the campaigns for Presidential hopefuls. Most sent along a personalized video, with each candidate addressing the Western Caucus meeting directly via that video opportunity. A few campaigns also sent representatives to lobby each of the DNC members (each of whom is a “super-delegate” to Denver, getting an automatic vote at the Convention).
Saturday night was the culmination of the weekend of training. We enjoyed a “Pacific Rim Buffet” here at the Grand Hyatt, and heard updates from several of the states. It was “open mic night,” with a festive atmosphere. Hawaii’s delegation got up and sang, of all things, an Irish tune. We heard great reports from such places as Idaho and Alaska, and there was even a raffle at the end of the evening. The raffle worked out well for Colorado’s DNC members — there were about 8 items in all, and we won two of them. I won a $50 gift certificate to the Levi’s store next door. Ramona Martinez won the big prize, though: a hand-drawn, hand-painted framed drawing by Senator Diane Feinstein. She already has a place in her home set up for it!
Since I had my family with me, I thought I’d keep my kids busy with a great little task. I gave them both a list of all of the states in the Western Caucus and made a contest of finding one person from each of the states and finding out something about each state. It was a great way to get them to interact with different people, and to learn a little bit of geography in the process. It worked out great, with the DNC Members being so cooperative and helpful — they were eager to tell about their states, which is always so great to see. In the end, it was a tie, so I have to find a prize for each of them tomorrow morning before we head to the airport…
We’re back in Colorado tomorrow night. San Francisco is fun, but there’s no place like home. Once I get back, it’s back to the road to get out to the counties and talk to Democrats across the state. Saturday, I’ll be in Monte Vista for the Rio Grande County Dems’ dinner, where I will be the keynote speaker. Sunday, I’m headed the other direction, up to A-Basin to attend the Summit / Clear Creek Dems’ joint fundraiser ski run and BBQ. Hope to see you there!
I do have the last set of pix up from San Francisco, including one of Ramona’s winning Feinstein drawing. Head over to:
http://www.DemNotes.com/photos