Social Media Training
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Eagle Forum's Executive Director Ruth Reynolds leading social media
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7 months ago
Monday, October 8, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Dems bus in crowds for Obama's speech
I interupt my coverage of the Republican National Convention to bring you this intriguing
story from Charlotte, NC...
Fox News reports that as voter enthusiasm falters for President Obama so does the attendance at his campaign rallies. Thus, they are resorting to bussing in people to fill the Bank of American stadium where Obama will give his acceptance speech on Thursday night.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – College students from across North Carolina will arrive in Charlotte by the busload. Same with members of predominantly black churches in neighboring South Carolina.
Their goal: help fill a 74,000-seat outdoor stadium to capacity when President Obama accepts the Democratic nomination Thursday night.
Anything short of a full house on the final night of the Democratic Party's national convention will be instant fodder for Republicans eager to use empty seats as symbols of waning voter enthusiasm for Obama.
Democrats have been fretting for months over whether the president can draw a capacity crowd at Bank of America Stadium. Polls show voter enthusiasm is down, as are Obama's crowds for his battleground state campaign rallies.
Obama advisers insist the stadium will be filled when Obama delivers his speech. Vice President Joe Biden also will speak Thursday night, along with Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, who will vouch for Obama's national security credentials.
"The response we've seen from the community has been incredible and it's obvious that people have a big interest in owning a piece of the most open and accessible convention in history," said Adam Fetcher, a campaign spokesman. "President Obama's speech on Thursday night will bring this election into focus for the American people, and it will be even more significant because so many North Carolinians will be there to see it."
Convention delegates, volunteers and other Democratic officials already in Charlotte for the party gathering could make up as much as one-third of the crowd. But filling the rest of the stadium is a piecemeal process.
Elena Botella, a student at Duke University and president of the College Democrats of North Carolina, said her school was busing 100 students to the speech.
Lonnie Randolph, the president of the South Carolina chapter of the NAACP, said several large black churches in his state are planning to send busloads of members on Thursday to watch the president's speech.
"There are plenty of people who wouldn't miss it for the world," Randolph said. "How often does this happen this close to South Carolina?"
Obama aides say several thousand tickets also have been given to new campaign volunteers in North Carolina. People who complete three volunteer shifts totaling nine hours got one ticket to the final speech.
The volunteer ticketing program also helps Obama boost his grassroots network in North Carolina, a battleground state he moved into the Democratic column in 2008 for the first time in nearly 40 years. But Obama is facing an uphill battle this time around in North Carolina, where the unemployment rate exceeds the national average and voters approved a gay marriage ban the day before the president announced his support for same-sex unions.
Thursday's event is certain to draw comparisons to 2008, when Obama accepted the Democratic nomination before a capacity crowd at an 84,000-seat stadium in Denver. There was little concern back then over whether Obama would fill the stadium, in part because he was easily attracting tens of thousands of people to his campaign rallies across the country.
This time around, Obama's crowds are far smaller. He drew his biggest audience at his campaign kick-off rally in May, a 14,000-person crowd at Ohio State University. About 13,000 people attended Obama's rally at the University of Colorado in Boulder Sunday.
The campaign says the size of Obama's events this summer have purposely been kept low. Large rallies are more expensive and security requirements are more intense for a sitting president than a candidate. [Uh huh, sure]
Convention organizers in Charlotte may have more control over the crowds than their other big concern: the weather. Heavy evening rains doused Charlotte over the weekend, and thunderstorms are in the forecast for Thursday.
Officials say the outdoor event will go on rain or shine, except if there is severe weather.
Fox News reports that as voter enthusiasm falters for President Obama so does the attendance at his campaign rallies. Thus, they are resorting to bussing in people to fill the Bank of American stadium where Obama will give his acceptance speech on Thursday night.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – College students from across North Carolina will arrive in Charlotte by the busload. Same with members of predominantly black churches in neighboring South Carolina.
Their goal: help fill a 74,000-seat outdoor stadium to capacity when President Obama accepts the Democratic nomination Thursday night.
Anything short of a full house on the final night of the Democratic Party's national convention will be instant fodder for Republicans eager to use empty seats as symbols of waning voter enthusiasm for Obama.
Democrats have been fretting for months over whether the president can draw a capacity crowd at Bank of America Stadium. Polls show voter enthusiasm is down, as are Obama's crowds for his battleground state campaign rallies.
Obama advisers insist the stadium will be filled when Obama delivers his speech. Vice President Joe Biden also will speak Thursday night, along with Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, who will vouch for Obama's national security credentials.
"The response we've seen from the community has been incredible and it's obvious that people have a big interest in owning a piece of the most open and accessible convention in history," said Adam Fetcher, a campaign spokesman. "President Obama's speech on Thursday night will bring this election into focus for the American people, and it will be even more significant because so many North Carolinians will be there to see it."
Convention delegates, volunteers and other Democratic officials already in Charlotte for the party gathering could make up as much as one-third of the crowd. But filling the rest of the stadium is a piecemeal process.
Elena Botella, a student at Duke University and president of the College Democrats of North Carolina, said her school was busing 100 students to the speech.
Lonnie Randolph, the president of the South Carolina chapter of the NAACP, said several large black churches in his state are planning to send busloads of members on Thursday to watch the president's speech.
"There are plenty of people who wouldn't miss it for the world," Randolph said. "How often does this happen this close to South Carolina?"
Obama aides say several thousand tickets also have been given to new campaign volunteers in North Carolina. People who complete three volunteer shifts totaling nine hours got one ticket to the final speech.
The volunteer ticketing program also helps Obama boost his grassroots network in North Carolina, a battleground state he moved into the Democratic column in 2008 for the first time in nearly 40 years. But Obama is facing an uphill battle this time around in North Carolina, where the unemployment rate exceeds the national average and voters approved a gay marriage ban the day before the president announced his support for same-sex unions.
Thursday's event is certain to draw comparisons to 2008, when Obama accepted the Democratic nomination before a capacity crowd at an 84,000-seat stadium in Denver. There was little concern back then over whether Obama would fill the stadium, in part because he was easily attracting tens of thousands of people to his campaign rallies across the country.
This time around, Obama's crowds are far smaller. He drew his biggest audience at his campaign kick-off rally in May, a 14,000-person crowd at Ohio State University. About 13,000 people attended Obama's rally at the University of Colorado in Boulder Sunday.
The campaign says the size of Obama's events this summer have purposely been kept low. Large rallies are more expensive and security requirements are more intense for a sitting president than a candidate. [Uh huh, sure]
Convention organizers in Charlotte may have more control over the crowds than their other big concern: the weather. Heavy evening rains doused Charlotte over the weekend, and thunderstorms are in the forecast for Thursday.
Officials say the outdoor event will go on rain or shine, except if there is severe weather.
Monday, September 3, 2012
SEVEN!
I was given a heads up about the group that was asked to sing the National Anthem on Thursday night. Friend Kathy went to Ferndale High School with Frank Hernandez, a member of the group SEVEN and she asked me to try and say hi to him. The odds of talking to one of the many performers at the convention is a serious long shot but I decided to give it my best try.
A couple of us arrived early to the Tampa Bay Times Forum and were surprised to hear SEVEN practicing for their performance. Their acapella voices blend in near perfect harmony and their rendition of the National Anthem is breathtaking. As they finished practicing I asked to speak to Frank Hernandez and he came right up and I had the opportunity to send greetings from Kathy and Washington. He was delighted to hear from home!
The Bellingham Herald picked up on the story of the home grown musician's contribution to the Republican National Convention and wrote an article about him:
"Ferndale-raised opera singer Frank Hernandez will set foot on one of the summer's largest stages this week when his vocal ensemble SEVEN performs both the opening and closing songs on the final day of the Republican National Convention."
It's a cool story! Read the rest here.
A couple of us arrived early to the Tampa Bay Times Forum and were surprised to hear SEVEN practicing for their performance. Their acapella voices blend in near perfect harmony and their rendition of the National Anthem is breathtaking. As they finished practicing I asked to speak to Frank Hernandez and he came right up and I had the opportunity to send greetings from Kathy and Washington. He was delighted to hear from home!
The Bellingham Herald picked up on the story of the home grown musician's contribution to the Republican National Convention and wrote an article about him:
"Ferndale-raised opera singer Frank Hernandez will set foot on one of the summer's largest stages this week when his vocal ensemble SEVEN performs both the opening and closing songs on the final day of the Republican National Convention."
It's a cool story! Read the rest here.
 |
| Frank Hernandez is on the far right. They changed into black tuxes for the actual performance. |
Whatcom Republicans
On Thursday Ralph Schwartz of the Bellingham Herald featured a very nice article about the Whatcom delegation to the National Convention:
TAMPA, Fla. - Republicans are often criticized for a lack of diversity, but party members from Whatcom County said they drew inspiration from prominent women this week at the Republican National Convention.
Read entire article here.
TAMPA, Fla. - Republicans are often criticized for a lack of diversity, but party members from Whatcom County said they drew inspiration from prominent women this week at the Republican National Convention.
Read entire article here.
 |
| From left are Jeff Kent, Republican national committeeman from Custer; Luanne Van Werven of Lynden; Eileen Sobjack of Custer; Charlie Crabtree of Bellingham; and Kathy Kershner of Bellingham. |
 |
| Delegates, alternates and guests: Jeff Kent, Rika Kent, Luanne Van Werven, Charlie Crabtree, Jeri LaMont, Kathy Kershner, Eileen Sobjack, Matt Kershner, missing is Jeanne Quinlivan |
Mystery Speaker
The much-anticipated mystery speaker was legendary actor Clint Eastwood!
His mock conversation with President Obama was an absolute hoot! It has gone viral and spawned an entire "empty chair" campaign. Obama's "empty chair" has been nothing but "empty promises".
The Bushes: 41 and 43
On Wednesday we were treated to a stirring video of both Bush Presidents and their First Ladies. The response of the delegates was absolutely overwhelming and not a dry eye in that place...
"I accept the calling...
...of my generation to give our children the
America that was given to us"
So began Paul Ryan's acceptance speech as the Vice Presidential nominee for Mitt Romney. It was a beautifully crafted and deftly delivered speech. Ryan has a unique ability to prompt his own applause lines by raising his voice as he ends his sentences. It was an uplifting speech with multiple references to the heartland (read: swing states), religion, freedom, liberty and of course MOMS - in particular his mom.
"My mom started a small business, and I’ve seen what it takes. Mom was 50 when my dad died. She got on a bus every weekday for years, and rode 40 miles each morning to Madison. She earned a new degree and learned new skills to start her small business. It wasn’t just a new livelihood. It was a new life. And it transformed my mom from a widow in grief to a small businesswoman whose happiness wasn’t just in the past. Her work gave her hope. It made our family proud. And to this day, my mom is my role model."
Leading up to Paul Ryan's speech on Wednesday night I noticed something unusual play out. All of the top tier finalists for the VP slot addressed the delegates - Sen. Rob Portman, Gov. Chris Christie, Tim Pawlenty, Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Sen. Marco Rubio. It seemed slightly risky because by rolling out the other potential VP candidates it naturally set up comparisons in the minds of the delegates. Not to worry though, it turned out to be a brilliant strategy because Paul Ryan rocked the room and left no doubt that Mitt Romney made the very best decision when he tapped Paul Ryan for VP.
The term "stiletto" was adopted during Ryan's speech to describe the quick jabs aimed at Obama with a swift return to the positive. Paul Ryan is truly a gifted communicator! The most memorable line of his speech that brought down the house:
So began Paul Ryan's acceptance speech as the Vice Presidential nominee for Mitt Romney. It was a beautifully crafted and deftly delivered speech. Ryan has a unique ability to prompt his own applause lines by raising his voice as he ends his sentences. It was an uplifting speech with multiple references to the heartland (read: swing states), religion, freedom, liberty and of course MOMS - in particular his mom.
"My mom started a small business, and I’ve seen what it takes. Mom was 50 when my dad died. She got on a bus every weekday for years, and rode 40 miles each morning to Madison. She earned a new degree and learned new skills to start her small business. It wasn’t just a new livelihood. It was a new life. And it transformed my mom from a widow in grief to a small businesswoman whose happiness wasn’t just in the past. Her work gave her hope. It made our family proud. And to this day, my mom is my role model."
Leading up to Paul Ryan's speech on Wednesday night I noticed something unusual play out. All of the top tier finalists for the VP slot addressed the delegates - Sen. Rob Portman, Gov. Chris Christie, Tim Pawlenty, Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Sen. Marco Rubio. It seemed slightly risky because by rolling out the other potential VP candidates it naturally set up comparisons in the minds of the delegates. Not to worry though, it turned out to be a brilliant strategy because Paul Ryan rocked the room and left no doubt that Mitt Romney made the very best decision when he tapped Paul Ryan for VP.
The term "stiletto" was adopted during Ryan's speech to describe the quick jabs aimed at Obama with a swift return to the positive. Paul Ryan is truly a gifted communicator! The most memorable line of his speech that brought down the house:
"College
graduates should not have to live out their 20s in their childhood bedrooms,
staring up at fading Obama posters and wondering when they can move out and get
going with life."
Below is a collection of my favorite portions from his speech:
"It all started off with stirring speeches, Greek
columns, the thrill of something new. Now all that's left is a presidency
adrift, surviving on slogans that already seem tired, grasping at a moment that
has already passed, like a ship trying to sail on yesterday's wind."
Profound words of faith and freedom...
"...sometimes, even presidents need reminding, that our
rights come from nature and God, not from government."
"We will not try to replace our founding principles,
we will reapply our founding principles."
"Our
different faiths come together in the same moral creed. We believe that in
every life there is goodness; for every person, there is hope. Each one of us
was made for a reason, bearing the image and likeness of the Lord of Life.
Paul Ryan's good humor...
Paul Ryan's good humor...
"We're
a full generation apart, Governor Romney and I. And, in some ways, we're a
little different. There are the songs on his iPod, which I've heard on the
campaign bus and on many hotel elevators. He actually urged me to play some of
these songs at campaign rallies. I said, I hope it's not a deal-breaker Mitt,
but my playlist starts with AC/DC, and ends with Zeppelin."
Listen to Paul Ryan's entire speech here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZipUINVXIc&feature=plcp
Listen to Paul Ryan's entire speech here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZipUINVXIc&feature=plcp
Last but not least, the Ryan family:
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Corporate Wife?
The title of this post refers to the demeaning comments by Fox News commentator Juan Williams on Tuesday night after Ann Romney's sensational address at the convention. Williams remarked that Ann Romney is "a corporate wife", adding that she "looks like a woman whose husband takes care of her."
Britt Hume disagreed saying, "I think that was the single most effective political speech I’ve ever heard given by a political wife.”
I thought her speech was beautifully written and expertly delivered. She was warm and authentic and her words are relatable. I am very tired of the media elite buzz word "humanize" but there is no doubt that Ann Romney's charming offensive did exactly that for her husband Mitt Romney.
Memorable lines from Ann Romney's speech:
Mitt doesn't like to talk about how he has helped others because he sees it as a privilege, not a political talking point.
And this...
I can't tell you what will happen over the next four years. But I can only stand here tonight, as a wife, a mother, a grandmother, an American, and make you this solemn commitment:
This man will not fail.
This man will not let us down.
This man will lift up America!
You can here Ann Romney's entire speech here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBA7rPKhGtQ&feature=share&list=PL18DA204110EB2BD1
On Wednesday I made my way into Tampa not sure if it would be worth the early morning trip since I had just heard Ann Romney speak on Tuesday night. In a word YES, it was worth it!
Ann's five daughters-in law made the introduction and shared poignant accounts of the impact of their mother-in-law in their lives. It was a beautiful tribute.
Mitt Romney added a video introduction and joked that her Tuesday night prime-time speech was so well received that the delegates might nominate her instead.
The breakfast was worthy of a first lady and had the flavor and feel of a White House event (not that I have any idea but my imagination can play with that thought).
.jpg)
Britt Hume disagreed saying, "I think that was the single most effective political speech I’ve ever heard given by a political wife.”
I thought her speech was beautifully written and expertly delivered. She was warm and authentic and her words are relatable. I am very tired of the media elite buzz word "humanize" but there is no doubt that Ann Romney's charming offensive did exactly that for her husband Mitt Romney.
Memorable lines from Ann Romney's speech:
Mitt doesn't like to talk about how he has helped others because he sees it as a privilege, not a political talking point.
And this...
I can't tell you what will happen over the next four years. But I can only stand here tonight, as a wife, a mother, a grandmother, an American, and make you this solemn commitment:
This man will not fail.
This man will not let us down.
This man will lift up America!
.jpg) |
| Beautiful and charming lady in a red dress |
You can here Ann Romney's entire speech here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBA7rPKhGtQ&feature=share&list=PL18DA204110EB2BD1
On Wednesday I made my way into Tampa not sure if it would be worth the early morning trip since I had just heard Ann Romney speak on Tuesday night. In a word YES, it was worth it!
Ann's five daughters-in law made the introduction and shared poignant accounts of the impact of their mother-in-law in their lives. It was a beautiful tribute.
Mitt Romney added a video introduction and joked that her Tuesday night prime-time speech was so well received that the delegates might nominate her instead.
The breakfast was worthy of a first lady and had the flavor and feel of a White House event (not that I have any idea but my imagination can play with that thought).
.jpg)
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Nuestra Noche
Convention events ramped up exponentially as the week went on and unfortunately, my blogging went dark for several days. The highlights of the convention aren't as fresh as they should be, but I hope you enjoy them nonetheless.
There was much hype around Monday's Nuestra Noche and it was billed as the "do not miss" event of the week. It was held in the old Cuban section of Tampa called Ybor (pronounced E-bore) at the historic Cuban Club. Originally the party was scheduled to be held from 10pm to 2am after Monday's opening session. We were relieved when they moved up the start time to 8pm when Monday's convention business was cancelled because of hurricane Isaac.
We picked up our tickets from the Cuban Club on Monday morning when we visited Ybor so when we arrived that night with credentials in hand we were ushered right upstairs and encountered the tightest mob of people you can imagine. We waded into the mass and quickly determined that staking out a bubble of space would be essential to survival. The pounding Latin music, flashing strobe lights and Cuban sliders added to the Latin-inspired flavor. The fire marshalls closed off admittance soon after we arrived which created loooong lines of guests waiting for people to leave so they could get in.
We were expecting visits from Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, Suzanna Martinez and other notables but the suffocating crowds made us wonder if it was worth the wait, especially when we also possessed an invitation to a reception with RNC Chair Reince Priebus. We could only take so much and upon hearing word that Marco would be arriving late we decided to head out. No sooner had we left when we saw from twitter that Rubio had indeed made an appearance and wowed the crowd. Oh well, meeting Reince Priebus, his mother and sister turned out to be a sweet highlight.
On the way into the Cuban Club we encountered...
There was much hype around Monday's Nuestra Noche and it was billed as the "do not miss" event of the week. It was held in the old Cuban section of Tampa called Ybor (pronounced E-bore) at the historic Cuban Club. Originally the party was scheduled to be held from 10pm to 2am after Monday's opening session. We were relieved when they moved up the start time to 8pm when Monday's convention business was cancelled because of hurricane Isaac.
We picked up our tickets from the Cuban Club on Monday morning when we visited Ybor so when we arrived that night with credentials in hand we were ushered right upstairs and encountered the tightest mob of people you can imagine. We waded into the mass and quickly determined that staking out a bubble of space would be essential to survival. The pounding Latin music, flashing strobe lights and Cuban sliders added to the Latin-inspired flavor. The fire marshalls closed off admittance soon after we arrived which created loooong lines of guests waiting for people to leave so they could get in.
We were expecting visits from Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, Suzanna Martinez and other notables but the suffocating crowds made us wonder if it was worth the wait, especially when we also possessed an invitation to a reception with RNC Chair Reince Priebus. We could only take so much and upon hearing word that Marco would be arriving late we decided to head out. No sooner had we left when we saw from twitter that Rubio had indeed made an appearance and wowed the crowd. Oh well, meeting Reince Priebus, his mother and sister turned out to be a sweet highlight.
On the way into the Cuban Club we encountered...
Code Pink protesters who turned out to be paid professional agitators. They expressed their unhappiness with "corporate greed" but obviously they didn't realize the Democrat convention doesn't start until next week :-)
Wall to wall at the Cuban Club
Safe in our little "bubble of trouble"
On the way out I spied one of my favorite journalists Byron York, waiting in line like an average Joe
Jeff, Fredi and Mr. RNC, Reince Priebus
Cool cats in fedoras
Fedoras, Miami Vice linen suits and seersucker were VERY popular among the men in Tampa.
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