After spending the day talking to folks like Glenn Peterson and Chris Lutter, the transition into the Pepsi Center was frankly stunning. It truly seems like a world unto itself, separate and distinct from the protests, which are more than a mile away, and separated by several tiers of security.
In some ways, the convention goings on seem cliche: the protesters chanting "Whose streets? Our streets!" Their passionate feelings on things ranging from the most profound conundrums of our times (abortion, foreign policy, the debate over gay rights) to the ridiculous (did I mention the "Bring Back Crystal Pepsi" folks already)?
After a day or two interacting on that level, it's hard not to be somewhat floored by what goes on behind the scenes at the Pepsi Center, which we hope to bring you more of soon. Now that the delegates are there, the place is packed with old chums shaking hands, networking, chowing down (hot dogs are de riguer) and so on. In our brief encounter there - which we'll show you some of in the near future - it was striking to see that there might be some truth to the idea of a 21st century version of the "Old Boys Club" - save that it does not consist solely of boys or any one age, or one race. But rather, there is the same chumminess that one would associate with that idea. You could feel it in the air.
The last thing to mention is the true separation of the protests and the convention. Inside, the delegates are having a real party - listening to their speakers, greeting their rock stars (such as Dennis Kucinich) with the same level of intensity as one might greet J-Lo, and so on. Between that world and the barriers which separate the protesters and revelry of downtown Denver is a gulf that feels much bigger than the mile which physically separates them.
- posted by Jesse Zanger
