Obbie King
Somewhere in hell, a snowball refuses to melt.
RoZ and I are going to Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention. Not as protesters, but as an official delegate and his staff. We’ll have credentials, badges and everything.
My job will be to vote for Bernie Sanders on the convention floor. More than that, I must channel the passion and energy of the Bernie supporters who elected me.
I know the convention is much more than the festivities that we all see on TV. I anticipate a busy schedule of workshops, how-to presentations, and caucuses for every political niche. I will seize every opportunity to bend the arc of history, whether it be in personal conversation or in public meetings. And I anticipate learning a lot from this unique experience.
Every time I’m overwhelmed by the privilege of such an experience, I feel compelled to share it with others. So as time permits, I will report on my convention experience. That doesn’t mean I will report on the “news of the day.” After all, you can get that anywhere. This is a look behind the scenes at the convention as experienced by one Bernie delegate from Wisconsin.
Getting Elected
Learning how the process of becoming a delegate works, then following that process to its conclusion: a ticket to Philadelphia. Show More Show Less
The "How to Become a Delegate" Meeting
Learning how the process works, and what to expect if elected.
Fact Checking and Getting Realistic
Correcting some inaccurate information about Philadelphia from last night's meeting, and sharing some of our own experience from two years living there.
Getting Out the Vote
A festive gathering of many local die-hard Bernie supporters.
Bernie Wins the Primary!
A win in Wisconsin means more Bernie delegates at each level of delegate-selection caucuses.
La Crosse County Caucus
We select representatives to go to the next caucus.
County Caucus Aftermath
Pondering the delegate count of other counties, and the number of other people running for four delegate positions. Is there a chance?
Delegate Pitch
Why I am the right person to represent my district as a Bernie delegate.
The Congressional District Caucus
Making new friends from around the district while being selected to represent them.
Preparing to Go to Philadelphia
Life gets busier. Fundraising, paperwork, conference calls, and travel arrangements. Show More Show Less
Facing Reality
As a newly elected delegate, I had a lot of new tasks on my plate.
Fundraising
Embarking on arguably the most unpleasant task in politics: groveling for money.
Getting Certified
Contact from the delegate wrangler for the state party, and filling out a form for getting certified.
Meeting Our Next Congressman and Opening Local Headquarters
Meeting the Bernie Democrat challenging Ron Kind in the primary, and a conversation with a Hillary delegate.
The World of Conference Calls
Meeting our contacts with the Wisconsin Democratic Party and the Bernie campaign.
Catching Up
So much happening, it's been hard to keep up here. And it's soon going to get even harder.
Convention Week
Our experiences during convention week itself, starting with our arrival at our hotel on Sunday afternoon. Show More Show Less
Arriving, and the Welcome Party
Our Philadelphia decompression ends, and our convention experience begins.
Monday's Delegation Breakfast
A report from the Wisconsin delegation breakfast, including a truncated report on the contents of the swag bags.
Getting to the Arena
Adventures in getting from downtown Philadelphia to the Convention.
The Scene on the Convention Floor
A description of the madness inside the arena.
Monday's Events Reviewed
A recap of some of the madness from inside the convention arena on Monday.
Breakfast With Bernie (and three other senators)
For Tuesday's delegation breakfast, we got to hear four senators, including Bernie Sanders.
Tuesday Roll Call
Reporting on early activities on the convention floor Tuesday, including the roll call and the walk-out of some of my fellow delegates.
Tuesday's Headline Speech and Getting "Home"
Sticking around for Bill Clinton and getting "home" afterwards
Wednesday Delegation Breakfast
A report on this morning's delegation breakfast, where Ron Kind gets confronted over his support of the TPP.
Wednesday Afternoon
Recovering from sleep deprivation, and an interesting conversation on the bus en route to the convention.
Wednesday: Obama and Kaine Feelin' the Bern
Wednesday's convention events, and some behind-the-scenes observations that teevee watchers may miss.
Thursday: Berniecrats Meet the Democrats
A report on Thursday's breakfast, and a meeting held afterward.
Thursday: Under the Dropping Balloons
An adrenaline-fueled report on Thursday nite's action.
Aftermath
After we got home, we processed what happened and tried to guide the movement forward as a legitimate political force. Show More Show Less
The Noisy Tantrum of the "Silenced"
Some slanderous comments about one of my fellow delegates are appearing on social media, so I must debunk.
Making Everybody Happy
Even though Bernie did not win the nomination, we won a great deal in the process. Now we must work with the Hillary people the way we would want them to work with US should the roles be reversed.
Hi Mom!
In the convention hall at the DNC there seemed to be more cameras than delegates. I'm just now discovering that the cameras were often pointed at ME.