Denver People Examiner

Best of the Democratic National Convention through Examiners' eyes

Examining the DNC finale (Photo courtesy: Cam Tucker)

But to the relief of the Democratic National Convention host committee, which once appeared doomed to fall short of its $40.6 million fundraising target, he didn't leave a deficit. Indeed, Mike Dino, the committee's chief executive, said they surpassed the target by $10 million. And while demonstrators had vowed to recreate the 1968 Democratic Convention clash in Chicago, only 152 were arrested here, and the old protest chant “the whole world is watching” took on new meaning Thursday, when some 38 million TV viewers witnessed Obama knock his acceptance speech out of the stadium.

The week provided numerous highlights, and Examiners were there to capture the sweep starting with DNC Examiner Jeff Hart, himself an alternate delegate, who set the stage by talking about the things to look for at the event, rightly pointing to Hillary Clinton’s speech and Obama's tone as key moments. Weather Examiner Tony Hake was able to peer into his crystal computer, and let us know what to expect – despite one Focus on the Family official’s prayers for rain on Invesco. Sunny for Dems. Filmmaking Examiner Mel Aman prepped delegates with "Mile High Quickies", original films about Denver, and Women's Examiner Brit Horvat introduced one of the new female leaders in communication who would impact the DNC. The build-up was key, but the actual event was better.

Of course, politics was only part of the Dem Party party. DNC Examiner Mike Wolf was busier than a one-armed fiddler in a bluegrass competition, tracking stories and rumors ranging from David Bowie performing at a Tent State jam (not true, sadly) to the venerable E-Town hosting David Crosby and Graham Nash.

Plenty of the drama unfolded inside the Pepsi Center and Colorado Convention Center, home to daily caucuses of groups ranging from the Hispanic Caucus to the Rural Caucus. Obama delegate and another DNC Examiner Dorian De Long, a high school teacher and musician whose world was tossed upside down with this inside peek into the world of pols and lobbyists, shared what it was like inside the Big Tent.

Still, there were things a-poppin at Obamapalooza. Politics Examiner Matt Wolf captured the acid tone of humorist Bill Maher.  Sometimes, there was a mix of humor and reality, as when Young Democrats Examiner Ryan Briceland gave a double-barreled account of protesters and the arrival of Jon Stewart’s Daily Show.  Not everything was cozy, Crime Examiner Miranda K. Bacon showed, as some questioned heavy-handed police tactics. Health Examiner Donna Feldman gave a primer on tear gas, then went on a hunt for healthy things at the DNC.

As the days unfolded, Fashion Examiner Renee Mudd found fodder on the streets, the Green Examiner Linnae Selinga-Puyear saw the flowering of the Green Scene. Gay Examiner Drew Wilson kept people in the loop on all the topics and actions of the GLBT issues. For those at home, Crafts Examiner Kayleen Burke told how to capture memories of the DNC experience in a scrapbook.

Of course, the final night was the biggie, with Celebrity Examiner Jenny Finke pointing out the O factor -- Oprah and Obama together -- that 9News reporter Kirk Montgomery scooped, and the Denver People Examiner on this site -- which tracked some of the oddities for sale, the class of Clinton supporters with Obama-backers including Grammy-winner Herbie Hancock, and anti-war vet protestors -- captured some of the spectacle of the finale.

There was much much more. For a complete rundown, follow the link in the info box, and I think you'll agree -- like Barack, the home team Examiners passed the Mile High exam with flying colors.

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