The Power of a Moment: Hillary, Hillary and More Hillary

Hillary is still my hero. And, after last night, she is now more than ever before. Last night, she looked like a president; she spoke like a president; and she made an impact like a president. I had the privilege to be on the floor during her moment. I am young and Hillary got me excited about our political system.

As I stood in line for my morning chai at Perk's in the Grand Hyatt, I heard some weeping. The woman in front of me was crying. I tried cheering her up by pointing out some adorable $4 donkey cookies sitting in the pastry case. But, I quickly came to learn her tears were for Hillary. Then I started to cry.

Reporters are critiquing every line of her speech. Could she have been more blunt? Were her words sincere? Is Chelsey planning on getting into politics? Yes, she could have been more blunt but for the first time in a long time, she was 100% herself. No one can take that away from Hill. She has worked too long and hard for that moment. I think her words couldn't have been more than sincere. And, I do think Chelsey will jump into the political ring someday.

On my way to Harry's book party, I stumbled across a small group of women and men protesting for Hillary. This group is mad at the party because they took Hillary's votes away. I am supporting Obama because I support the party. But, it was a out-of-mind experience. I found myself on the grass with this group. I wasn't chanting with them. It was out of curiosity. I wanted to know why they couldn't move forward. I wondered if they thought their actions separate, and not bring together, the party. There was too much anger and disappointment on their end to even get a straight answer. This is when I was interviewed for a documentary. See below.

I think I could go either way on this issue, but at this point, I think what all Hillary supports must keep in mind is: IT IS WHAT IT IS, and anything is better than 4 more years of the 8 we have just had. If Obama is her candidate, then Obama is my candidate.

CELEBRITY TALK: I spotted Reverend Sharpton in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt during my daily coffee run. I also ran into Marc, my friend from Bradley University who invited mom and I to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's book signing party. I met Harry too! Mom and I sat with some great ladies - Lorette from Georgia and Karen from California. Some of my association colleagues were at the party too. But, I never did see any books.

If you think this is good, I found Charlize and her boyfriend downing beers at The Market at about 5ish. One woman went up and asked her if she was in fact Charlize. The movie star apparently answered, "No. I am 15 pounds heavier than her." OK, sorry but it was so her. The word is she hates reporters like myself and lies about being her all the time.

Oh, in case you didn't get the alert, I am a celebrity now. I was interviewed for a documentary. The California-based production company plans to inform me of when the movie will be out for release.

And, again, you heard it here first. Bon Jovi and Springsteen will be performing at tomorrow's Obama acceptance speech. I will be there so look for the girl with curly hair. It should not be that hard to spot me in the crown of 70,000. The logistics that go along with switching from one venue to another venue is historic. And, considering so much is still up in the air logistically, I think it is going to be stressful on all staff.

Blue is now the new color of the night. Jill, Joe's mom, and Michelle were all sporting it tonight and I have to say it looked phenomenal.

FOOD and ENTERTAINMENT: This goes out to a special person with a unique question. No, there is NO Guitar Hero on the Pepsi Center compound. But, what were they thinking? That would have been fabulous. Politicians in bow ties and suits jamming out to oldies but goodies.

The food at Pepsi Center is delicious and even better that it is free. FirstData is distributing $10 gift cards that can be used for food and merchandise in the Pepsi Center. What a great way to promote FirstData's new gift card. When I was an intern at Schenkein, I was on the FirstData account. It wouldn't surprise me if Schenkein had their hands in this amazing promotional campaign. The one item of food that you can't purchase with the gift card is Donkey Donuts. I plan to purchase tomorrow and report on ASAP. CNN Grill has been handing out free vanilla ice cream with red and blue sprinkles everyday from 4-5 pm. Tamayo, the location for Harry's fiesta, has some tasty modern Mexican and some strong margaritas. If you are ever in Denver, this is mandatory stop. Oh, the priorities.

COLORADANS CRAVING POWER: A lady eating linner on Larimer Square stopped me and asked, "How do I get myself one of those things? I want to be a delegate and vote. I give a lot of money to the Colorado Democratic Party." This goes along with my post from yesterday. These credentials are getting out of control. In fact, I was standing near the restroom with my binder in one hand and Blackberry in the other. Folks started flashing their credentials at me thinking I was security. I never thought flashing and power would go hand-in-hand. I guess anything is possible at the DNC.

Quote of the Day: A DNCC manager: "Hey, it's a convention. What more is there to do than party?"

It is true. People are here to party. I pick-up a copy of a special DNC edition of The Washington Post every morning. And, what are the only 2 sections included in this special section? News and Style. Does that tell you anything?

I am exhausted and came home early to soak my feet. Your DNC2008 gal, Stephanie

Day 1 is Done: Media Celebs, Fashion, and Parties Oh My!

After getting through security and making my way to the Pepsi Center entrance, I was in total disbelief. I had an official credential and was about to be part of history. I proceed into the arena and there it happened – my most inspirational, memorable moment as a public relations professional. The kind of moment that gives you chills. I realized right then and there, this is what I have worked toward for so long.

CELEBRITY MEDIA UPDATE: I took the moment in but wasted no time capturing some fabulous, close-ups of Katie, Anne, and the like. I was so close that I heard Katie asking her people about NBC on multiple occasions.

“Where are they positioned? Oh, I see Andrea Mitchell. Can you go grab her?”

Is it just me, or does it sound like Katie is missing her family? I have always thought so and today just reaffirmed it. Anne is shorter than I expected. Both are beautiful and natural – wearing little to no makeup for the camera.

I am assigned to specific media pavilion on the grounds of the Pepsi Center. Reporters can choose to rent workspace in these pavilions. However, the DNCC have nothing to do with assigning these tenants their workspace for political reasons. It is my responsibility to provide my tent tenants with daily schedules, copies of speech transcripts, and resources to help them get their job done. I have some huge press I will be working with.

FASHION UPDATE: I ran into a beautiful woman on the street from Republic of The Gambia wearing a definite snatch-worthy ethnic dress. And, as chatted about in an earlier post, flip flops were in fact the shoe of choice. Anyone from an intern and producer, to a runner and Katie could be caught wearing flip flops. I even spotted Tevas. This latest fashion trend may not be the case tomorrow – the official first day of the DNC.

Apparently, dressing up in Halloween masks is also very much a fashion statement. From afar, I thought this tall man with very white hair was my first celebrity sighting. He had a huge entourage and looked the part. As he got closer, I realized he was sporting a freaky McCain mask on behalf of the campaign http://www.worsethanbush.org/.

I took the Light Rail into the city with the most hip grandmothers around. See above. Julie and Nel (r), with Code Pink, drove from Dallas to attend peaceful protests around the city. You immediately get a sense of their passion for PEACE in the way they speak and the funky clothes they wear. My new favorite ladies told me about the numerous times their children and grandchildren have witnessed them getting arrested. There was rumor on the Light Rail home, from 2 middle school boys and their friend moms, of teargas actually being sprayed outside the Colorado Convention Center. It would not surprise me if these courageous, experienced women, with so much chutzpah, were front and center. Keep fighting the good fight my sisters. And, I totally dig the hot pink. This color will always be in!

PARTY UPDATE: Tomorrow night I will be making an appearance at 2 fiestas. For part of the night you can find me at the College Democrats of America Alumni Association Launch Party at The Lure Lounge. There is chatter that Congressmen Tim Ryan and Gary Ackerman will be there as well as XM Radio’s LeftJab host Mark Walsh. I also was invited to the Exhibit Darfur Opening Reception at Ditto Art Gallery. I can bring a guest to this one so let me know if you care to join me! Maybe this will entice you...There is buzz that George Clooney might make an exclusive appearance. Let’s show up and find out.

Quote of the Day: A young media rep: “Forget the politics. I love looking at all of the outfits.”

Buzz of the Day: The new McCain ad featuring Hillary Clinton. How low is he going to go?

And, if you haven’t already found the answer to my previous post question, the woman with Joe was his wife Jill. She is simply stunning. Until we meet again tomorrow, Stephanie

What does business to business casual mean anyway?

Important information came my way yesterday. I will be required to wear business to business casual for the end-of-the-month festivities. I have also learned that if I don’t dress up enough, I could be denied access into important venues and hip parties. So, now I have to ask, what does business to business causal mean anyway?

The talk on the street is that working the PIC attracts fiesta invites. This means there is an actual chance I could be sipping mojitos and dancing the sprinkler with celebrities Anne Hathaway, Gloria Reuben, Hillary Clinton, James Taylor, Quentin Taraentino, and Oprah. One confirmed party invite - Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid’s booking signing shindig. A chance is enough to draw me to the mall this weekend to purchase outfits that scream “Now this girl has access!”

I turned to some online sources to help answer my buring question. Reported on USAToday.com last year, Jennifer Cohen was just as puzzled as I am about what business causal truly means. She thought she understood business casual but was quite mistaken. Companies try to lighten the pressure to dress for success by offering casual Fridays. You would think it is a great perk, right? But, June Webb, a fashion consultant in Alexandria, VA reports causal Fridays are getting out of control. Women are showing too much skin and men are equating casual Fridays to mean permission to wear wrinkly shirts and pants.

Do you want to talk out of control? A group of women visiting 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue decided flip-flops would be the most appropriate shoe to wear to visit the President of the United States. I think most people would assume when visiting with the President, dressing business casual would be a good place to start. But, these women must have been mistaken that flip-flops are considered business casual. But, were they? According to The Washington Post reporter Ruth Marcus, there should be no flipping out about flip-flops. Ruth has a point. Politics is filled with flip-flopping. Which makes me think there might be a whole lot of flip-flops on the street's of Denver. Perhaps DNCers will be wearing them in honor of politics.

Michelle Obama is redefining political style with glowing similarities to Jackie O. She is bringing the sleeveless dress back to the political arena. The Donna Ricco sleeveless dress Michelle wore on “The View” nearly sold off the shelves of White House/Black Market stores overnight. So, this is business or business casual?

What you wear to work may affect your career climb! But, until we can define business and business casual, my expert advice is simply to always dress your best! In my case, my wardrobe August 25-28 will impact the amount of juicy daily dishes I can serve you all.

I will be comfortable yet sheik; and cute but conservative.

Yes, I'm shooting to have the Michelle Obama Fashion Factor, but am prepared to settle for my own style that WILL get me access to the important venues and dazzling parties.

Over and out, Stephanie