Citizen Kate attends Sarah Palin's speech at the Republican National Convention and discovers the key to the Republican VP's popularity: Palin Power. I actually made it into the Xcel Center. We totally borrowed badges from friends and were snuck into the real action. The Republicans really had a lot of security. It was like Fort Knox in there. The entire time, I was worried that I was going to get thrown out like the NPR debate that I attended with Mike Gravel. But the Republicans are so into ladies that I fit right in. Nobody even flinched when they saw me. It must have been my conservative outfit and Sarah Palin glasses. She really did knock 'em dead with her speech. I wasn't sure about her at first, but there's no doubt now that she was a strong choice for VP. Heck, her husband's a snow machine champion. That's tough. Note to Self: Political ladies are powerful with the right hair style and fighting words.
Citizen Kate runs into Henry Kissinger at the Republican National Convention and gets his "kiss" of approval. I can't believe it. I went to John McCain's hotel the day of his speech at the RNC to have lunch with Cindy McCain and in hopes to meet the maverick himself. Instead, I met a really old time political leader, Henry Kissinger. He may be old, but he's hard to catch up with. Kissinger is a man who has been around for world leaders for decades. Seriously, he's been around the block. Kissinger helped Nixon open the door to China. Now he's helping Sarah Palin understand the world. She hasn't been outside the US that much. But who needs to travel to foreign countries when you have Kissinger in your corner? Note to self: Peace and hugs and kisses can change the world. Well, at least it's a start.
04:15
Hunting for Conservative Women for Palin
Citizen Kate hunts for young conservative woman before Palin's big speech at the Republican National Convention to uncover the key to being conservative at the under-attended Network of Enlightened Women (NeW) Book club event. I'm so excited to be at the Republican National Convention. I got my first official invite for an event at the Lifetime party. Finally, Republicans are welcoming me in. Maybe they decided that they need the Citizen Kate vote after all. Karin Agness sent me a personal invitation to the group that she founded -- Network of Enlightened Women (NeW). The place was buzzing with media. Apparently, none of the NeW group members could make it. They were helping with the Hurricane relief. Wow. I really think I may be conservative. The Republicans really like the ladies. Sarah Palin is proof of it. Note to Self: To get taken seriously in politics, you need darker hair and a shorter skirt.
04:26
The Nader Fight for People, Peace and Freedom
Citizen Kate discovers a political party she relates to, Peace and Freedom, and that we have to fight for the people and third parties at a Ralph Nader event. I didn't get credentials for the first Presidential debate. So, I decided to hang out with Ralph Nader. I can't believe that he didn't get an invite either!?! Unfortunately, Nader didn't have time to spend one-on-one with me. But I was invited to his big University of Southern California event, and his Bill Maher after party in Hollywood. I got to meet his VP pick Matt Gonzalez, who was amazing. But that's another story. The big story? The Peace and Freedom party. I can't believe there are third parties we don't know about. Nader really brings to light some of the challenges with American politics. He makes me want to do something about it. We can't just sit around watching the Inconvenient Truth. Note to self: We should focus less on the parties and more on the candidates and taking action. Although a Peace & Hugs party would be awesome!
04:16
The Republican Ladies Love the Maverick: The Cindy McCain Luncheon
Cindy McCain - we haven't seen her in weeks - here's a glimpse back into the Salad days of the McCain campaign, Cindy McCain's luncheon with Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Jon Voigt, the first dude, Todd Palin and country singer Clay Walker.
04:03
Citizen Kate: Stars and Stripes and Mace
Dateline - St. Paul, the Republican National Convention. I found myself in the middle of a riot - and it turns out that fashion sense was what saved me from being clobbered, although I may not have worn the right shoes. It turns out that the delegates were bussed from their hotels to fully gated area of the Invesco Center, so they had no idea of the scope of these daily protests or that kids were being beaten up. We were never sure of what for since we didn't ever see anyone do anything but react to the police. There was so little main stream media coverage of the daily protests outside the RNC that I felt an actual bit of journalistic pride for reporting this.
Citizen Kate discovers the true media oasis at the Democratic National Convention in the “Big Tent” dedicated to the “little media” -- bloggers, and she finds her first real fan. I found blogger’s paradise - The Big Tent. Most bloggers really don’t venture beyond their living room. Why bother when you can produce political reports in the comfort of your underpants? But when we do get out, we get the best treatment. Google, Daily Kos and the Huffington Post made this Big Tent the best media spot at the DNC. Filled with massages for the stressed out, Yoga for the mentally blocked, and organic goodies for the media fit. Of course, these weren’t the only sponsors. It really showed me that you don’t need to be “big media” to get the “big treatment". In fact, big media got free Coors. Bloggers got free Fat Tire. Note to self: Being “Big”, doesn’t always mean “quality”. Bloggers have the clear advantage when it comes to politics. We can say what we want.
02:10
Citizen Kate: The War on Keith
17 year old Keith Smith, a practicing Buddhist from Menomonee Wisconsin, had been beaten up by the RNC riot police and then released without medical attention. His story made me want to find out more. There was so little coverage of the daily protesting at the RNC, that we felt like his story needed to be told.
02:59
Bob Barr: Schmoozer, Charmer, Secret Agent
Citizen Kate caught up with Libertarian Presidential Nominee Bob Barr at the Libertarian National Convention. Everyone is buzzing about the Democratic and Republican prez nominees. But there are other candidates to consider for the next great American leader, including Bob Barr. I can't believe I met this super cute candidate three times in person. First at the Libertarian masquerade ball. Second on the streets of Denver during the LNC. Barr recognized me and spun around to say "hi". And finally on nomination day for the official Libertarian presidential candidate. Did you know Barr was in Congress, the CIA and Borat? He totally knows the secret to politics and comedy, which makes him a top contender in this race. I also liked his style. And his running mate, Wayne Allyn Root (WAR -- the kind you can trust). Note to self: There are more Presidential choices than the ones we see on TV. All candidates should charm us.
Citizen Kate finds herself on the inside circle with friends and family of John McCain, "The Maverick", at the Republican National Convention. I had an amazing time at the RNC. I never realized how welcoming Republicans are until I met Ladies for McCain, Sambhu Banik, and Sid Rosen. Sid has known McCain forever. He really taught me about McCain's commitment to the people, his country and values. Sid really inspired me. I got amazing treatment with seats to McCain's nomination acceptance speech and an invite to the after party. That day, I learned what makes McCain the Maverick. As well as why he's so popular with the ladies and America. He's willing to go against the party, and stand strong for the people. McCain has a track record of standing his ground, being tough, and fighting for what's right. I wonder what his next Maverick move will be? Note to self: Republicans have big balls.
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