So, now that I've been elected to the Democratic National Convention

[geniph]

...are there any Bostonians or former Bostonians out there that want to give me tips on things to do, see, places to eat, etc., in Boston while I'm there? My tastes run more to maritime museums than art museums, and more to birdwatching than shopping.

[davidinalameda]

1. congratulations!

who are you gonna vote for

;-)

[geniph]

7. I'm a Kerry delegate alternate

we're sending two Dean delegates from our congressional district, as well as 4 Kerry delegates and one Kerry alternate (me).

One signs a letter promising to vote for one's pledged candidate, so I'd get in trouble if I voted for Kucinich (who was always my first choice). But I'll do my damnedest to keep progressive issues on the table! (Our district, for some reason, elected four females that are all very liberal and definitely not doormats!)

[tomreedtoon]

2. Well, first off, go to Bartcop.com...

You can receive, for free, a nice package from Bartcop of stickers and items to pass out at the convention. He's looking for anyone who is a delegate to the Democratic convention to represent good causes. (Primarily to convince Democrats to really be an opposition party.)

[geniph]

5. Thanks!

I'll definitely do that, thanks for the information!

[geniph]

12. I just heard back from Bartcop

he's going to send me a big roll of stickers and whatnot to hand out at the DNCC! Thanks for letting me know about that.

[Justice]

3. Lots To Do

Boston Harbor tours (multiple companies offer)
http://www.bostonusa.com/visitor/resdet.php?seqnum=6562&type=event

Salem Maritime
http://www.nps.gov/sama/more/

Maritime Islands (off Boston - good for maritime and birdwatching)
http://www.cityofboston.gov/harbor/

Maritime Musuems (in/around Boston)
http://www.bgladco.com/museums/maritime.htm

It is a great city!

[geniph]

10. Great links, thank you!

I'd really like to do a harbor tour and see the maritime museums, so thank you for the information.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

21. Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester and Crane Reservation in Ipswich

are beautiful beaches.

Lobster and steamers at Woodman's in Essex.

Fried Clams at the Clam Box in Ipswich.

Visit Rockport-it's charming and quaint.

The North Shore in the summer is a wonderful place!

[geniph]

11. How far is Gloucester from Boston, anyway?

that's one of the places I'd like to visit if I have time.

[maveric]

16. Fifteen miles or so. Hammond Castle is there.

http://www.hammondcastle.org/

[papau]

4. Peabody Museum, Newburyport Custom House, many, many choices

And Congrats on being elected a delegate to the Democratic National Convention!

:toast:

:-)

[geniph]

8. Thanks!

I'm still pretty much in shock! (There were 89 candidates for six delegate slots and one alternate, so I still can't believe I was elected.)

[tsakshaug]

6. Are the Red Sox in town?

If they are catch a game

[geniph]

9. If the Sox are in town,

I'd be really surprised if the convention committee doesn't put together at least one baseball evening for conventioneers. I hope so, anyway - I think the state delegation hotel is within walking distance of the stadium.

[MaineDem]

17. Nope, they're away that week. (nt)

[geniph]

27. They're playing the Yankers early in the week

but I think they're away during Convention week itself. Those of us that go early will get to catch a game, and root on the Red Sox against the Evil Empire! (As if I didn't ALWAYS root for the Sox against the Yanks.)

[Robb]

13. Time to get a t-shirt...

...that says "Democratic Operative"!! :D

Congrats! What a blast you'll have. :toast:

[geniph]

14. Well, I did order my Kerry t-shirt on Saturday!

and my fancy lapel pin! (I already had the regular campaign buttons, but I figure a convention calls for more swag.)

Thanks for the toast! I suspect we'll be seeing rather a lot of those - and I'm an Irishwoman heading to Boston - things could get a bit hazy for me! Good thing I'm an alternate - I only vote if one of the delegates is unavailable, which gives me a little more leeway to party! :D

[maveric]

15. Peabody Museum, Freedom Trail, Quincy Market, Fenway Park,

Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, The Common, America's Stonehenge in Salem NH, Gloucester, Kennedy Library, Bunker Hill Monument, Old Ironsides, Custom House...
To name a few.

[geniph]

20. Old Ironsides is DEFINITELY on the must-see list

I hope to make it up to Gloucester, too. I don't know how much sightseeing time I'll get, but I'm hoping the convention committee puts together a few tours for us.

[MaineDem]

18. Congratulations!

I was a candidate but didn't make it. We only had 4 Kerry slots for females. I didn't spend enough money to win. :(

I hope you have a great time. What hotel is your delegation staying at?

[geniph]

19. I didn't even campaign

I started getting flyers in the mail and phone calls over a week ago, and emails and I don't know what all. I thought, wow, you have to do all this? well, then I haven't a chance - but decided to go and give my speech anyway. As it turned out, only one of the people actually chosen had sent out campaign letters.

We had two Kerry delegate slots for females, and one Kerry alternate slot for a female for our district. I'm the alternate. I still can't believe I was chosen solely on the basis of a 90-second speech, but it was a VERY well-received speech! :D The others that are going are all very well-known regular party people.

Oh, and Washington state will be in the Radisson downtown with the Democrats Abroad, the American Samoa delegation, and a few others.

[MaineDem]

24. We didn't even have the opportunity for speeches

I'm a little disheartened that name recognition and money spent campaigning were the requirements for election here. One of the delegates is Al Franken's sister-in-law. I don't begrudge her the opportunity of going but her relationship didn't hurt. Another one advertised herself as "the woman in the pink hat" and walked around in a bright pink suit and hat and gave out campaign info. She got elected. Others were long-time delegates and state Legislators for the most part.

There was no opportunity for candidates to address delegates directly unless one was able to go to every county caucus. I didn't have that opportunity because of committee work I was doing at the convention.

I'm a little disappointed but I'll get over it.

I think it's great that DUers will be there! Our delegation will be at the Colonnade Hotel. THe only one in town with a rooftop pool. Cool!

Have a great time.

[geniph]

26. You're kidding!

What a horrid way to do it! I can't imagine running for National without being permitted to speak at the Congressional District caucuses. You DID have to be at the CD caucus to speak, of course, but each candidate only campaigns in their own CD, so you only have to speak at that caucus.

There were lots of people that spent a lot of money sending out campaign flyers, getting fancy handouts printed (I printed my own handouts and didn't do a mailing), getting big banners printed up to put on the wall, etc., but I truly think when it came down to it, most of that stuff was a waste; most of the delegates at the CD caucus made their decisions based on the speeches (I know that's how I made my decisions). Which is how I got elected; I'm the only one that's not a regular party insider - and I also had by far the best-received speech. I'm hoping to have an opportunity to deliver it to a journalist at the Convention!

[MaineDem]

29. That's the way it should be done

I have a meeting this weekend to discuss how we can make future conventions better. I have many ideas.

Have a great time in Boston. I worked there for years. It's a great small city!

[dae]

22. Congratulations geniph, have a great time and spread the DU word.

:toast::)

[geniph]

28. You bet! I'm hoping we can have a meetup of DU delegates!

I CAN'T be the only one - but I guess a lot of states don't pick their delegation for a couple more weeks.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

23. Congratulations!

I wonder how many DUers are going to be in Boston this summer.

[geniph]

25. I don't know, but I would surely like

to have a DU meetup at the convention! Wouldn't that be a great picture for the DU Gallery? :D