The circus has come to town!

Submitted by r-alexander on Mon, 08/25/2008 - 5:49pm.

Each and every day there is more and more buzz! The students have met so many folks. In this post...I want to do 2 things: (1) give you a sense of what it is like here (apart from what you are getting via the media) and (2) give you some political analysis (from a practicing political scientist) about what I have seen out here ove the past few days. As the week continues...I may try and give more insight in regard to what I'm observing.

First...I'd like to set the stage out here in Denver.

The police presence here is incredible. You see them everywhere--on foot, on bicycle, hanging on SUVs, and on horseback. And they travel in groups...big groups. When they come through (with their tear gas attached to their belts and automatic weapons in hand), they definitely are noticed. I'll try and get photos, but my camera hasn't cooperated.

The vibe of the city is very interesting. The delegates are now mostly in town. You can see many are trying to figure there way around the city and are clearly trying to take things in. The media has descended in full force as well. Its not uncommon to be stopped by members of the press and asked for an interview. We must look pretty important. Just yesterday, Jake and Matt were interviewed by the BBC. Its crazytown!

People walking down the 16th street mall are like waves on the ocean. They just keep coming and coming. It looks nothing like it did last week when Washington Center kids dominated the landscape. Perhaps dominated is a bit strong, given the Rocky Mountains presence to the West!

Now for some political analysis from the ground...

There definitely is something to the McCain celebrity ad...but it certainly should not be restricted to Obama. As I noted, the students are really excited as they are meeting all kinds of politicians...many have had personal encounters with the likes of Nancy Pelosi, Howard Dean, Dennis Kucinich (and his wife), and countless others. Its hard not to get excited to meet these people. However, it also suggests how much influence celebrity culture has upon our politics.

The thought that Michelle Obama will be speaking at such and such place, creates an immediate buzz...but why? To see the potential first lady and what she has to say about the political system? Or is it to see what she's wearing...what kind of gaffe will she make...?

Its certainly interesting...although Tom Cronin (our faculty director) is a rock star of political science, I couldn't feel that same buzz among the students at the Ranger Dome on the campus of Regis when he was opining about the current presidential race. He's only one of the most prominent minds examining the presidency today...

Its just a bit disheartening to see so many folks get caught up in the hype of meeting the celebrity politician. As I said, this is not only about Obama and certainly not only about the Democrats...Rudy, McCain, Bush, Cheney, Romney, Huckabee, etc...can elicit that star struck feeling as well. People flock to these figures much like they do Paris, Brittney, and Lindsey. Its great to be excited about a politician, but I can't help but wonder...is it because you believe in this person as a public servant? Or is it the attraction toward political power?

While the media party was amazing...the gluttony permeated the amusement park. It was okay because we were on the inside...however...there were so many more on the outside (and always will be on the outside).

Perhaps I'm being too critical...after all, it is a Convention!

Here are some random photos from the front lines here in Denver...

A contributor of the Celebrity Culture?

Getting the Spin Doctors ready to work their magic!

Corporate Sponsorship of the DNC Convention? Democrats can't accuse the Republicans of being the only party wed to corporations...this is a shot from inside the Pepsi Center.

That is a scary sight!