Elsewhere at the Convention

When Matt Lockshin of the California Democratic Party told the MOMocrats that we were welcome to bring our children with us while blogging our state convention, I had mixed feelings… because I knew that once I got here, I would spend more time being a mom than writing about politics.

I decided that the benefits of bringing my 12-year-old outweighed the hassles. She was already going to have memories of this historic Presidential election, and having the opportunity to witness a small part of history in the making will ensure that her memories will be special.

So yesterday morning, while a slate of rising stars and political legends like Jerry Brown, Gavin Newsom, , Judy Chu and Willie Brown were bringing the state Democrats to their feet, we were elsewhere: in the Marriott lobby, (where we had easy Internet access which allowed her to finish a school project) …

out in the hall (where the people hawking buttons and stickers were of a lot more interesting… prompting my kid to collect and wear as many as could fit on her jacket )...

and exploring the city of San Jose.

We got to see a part of the convention experience we never would have --- if we’d stayed in the ballroom, listening to speeches:

We learned of some of the ballot propositions that will be choking California's airwaves later this year.

We discovered a terrific training program, aiming to create a new generation of female leaders.

We were entertained by political street entertainers, like the guy in the Bush mask and the chorus of Lyndon LaRouche supporters who serenaded the Democrats in the convention center lobby (they were actually pretty good, but I probably wouldn’t say so if I’d been able to make out the lyrics).

We learned of a bitter campaign between San Francisco's incumbent state Senator Carole Migden and Assemblyman Mark Leno, who is trying to unseat her. The convention center exhibit space was filled with both their supporters, and there were times when it looked as if we would be seeing a West Side Story type rumble (without the dancing).

This was at the center of our one really awkward moment here: We had stopped at Migden’s booth to get one of her stickers, when we realized the woman shaking our hand was Senator Migden herself… and she and her supporters were not pleased to see that my daughter was already displaying the sticker of her opponent.

I explained to them that I didn’t really understand the issues underlying Leno’s challenge to her incumbency, and we didn't want to get in the middle of their dispute (I didn’t get a chance to add that I’m from Los Angeles).

"But you should care about this!" Migden's supporter said indignantly. "This woman has been fighting for your rights, and for your daughter's future."

Migden is obviously very upset. She complained that she has worked hard for her constituents and doesn't deserve to be challenged by another Democrat. I will be reading up on this race when we get home.

One thing I discovered about bringing your kids to a political convention: They are a very useful accessory for an anonymous blogger. Megan, by fact of her incongruous appearance here, was something of a secret weapon.

Crusty old party hands were eager to ask her what she thought of the proceedings (and then, they were stuck talking to her old mom). Public radio reporter Kitty Felde (who I listen to on Pasadena station KPCC) interviewed her to find out who she was supporting and why. The veteran Newsweek photographer we met at lunch gave her pointers and a history lesson on great photography.

And when Megan took his advice at the end of Phil Donahue's impassioned press conference, Phil invited her to come up and pose with him. (I'm not sure she wanted to, but we made her do it, anyway).

In the end, the convention was an educational experience for us both. And given the opportunity, I would bring her again.

Comments

[Glennia]

Megan was a great addition to the convention. I'm sure this will have a much greater impression on her than you or she realize now. Who knows? Maybe we'll all be carrying signs one day that say "Megan for President!"

[Daisy]

Wow! Maybe she'll find herself running for office or managing a campaign when she's old enough. Or perhaps the photographer's advice will inspire her. The possibilities are endless!

[jaelithe]

My mother took me to an Equal Rights Amendment march in Washington D.C. when I was seven or eight or so. It definitely stuck with me.

[Jim V.]

I played the video of Carole Migden's speech before the Women's caucus and found it disturbing that she left during Gloria Romero's speech. This was typical of Carole's antics when she was Board of Equalization member, a job to which she was elected to for 4 years but vacated after 2 years. She does not have the courtesy to listen to others. Her whole career she has only championed her own causes and not those of the people of the State. During her tenure as Board member she amassed a huge war chest of money so that she can contribute to all her friends campaigns and make them beholding to her.