Home!

I am home!!

I enjoyed Atlanta this morning (I got to explore both the MLK Center AND CocoCola World!) and made it to the airport in time to take a tiny plane.

I did get some awesome airplane fun. First I was chosen for SSSS, which translated to special sweep by the TSA. They frisked me, went through my luggage, and put explosive detecting strips throughout my luggage. It was weird. And then I sat with a lady with a dog.

I am SO happy to be home! We even made it to the Neko Case show.

I will update tomorrow with pictures and articles and all that. For now, I am relaxing.

Homeward bound?

I am in Atlanta, at a Baptist convention.

Tonight I am sleeping here (in the Westin! The restaurant on top revolves! I hope I make it there in time to revolve!), and tomorrow at 2 p.m. I am flying home!!!

My husband. My house. Clean clothes. Reba is coming up for a Neko Case show, where most of our friends will be. I can't really believe it!

I feel like I have been away forever.

Arkansas is pretty awesome.

We went to a tiny breakfast buffet place and talked to African American voters for a while. Then drove to the next event, passing 4 bail bonds places (open 24 hours), and the Clinton library. I wish we had time to stop!!

And the high school marching band just played some Ozzie, so I am pretty happy.

Greetings from Arkansas!

Arkansas is cold. And in Central time, so I am confused as to what time it really is, and what that even means.

Today we are wandering around, talking to voters, I think. Then to Atlanta, where I may stay for the night, or go on to Washington. I await further instructions. Again.

I did just learn more about where Hillary stays when she is here. Two nights ago she got to sleep in her bed in Chappaqua. The next night in Georgetown. Last night, she stayed in an apartment on top of the Clinton Presidential Library!!! I wish we had time to go there. I enjoyed Reagan's very much.

Send any Atlanta tips my way!!! I like to pretend I will do more than just sleep! Apparently a few of us will be ditching out, most heading off to California direct instead of the DC stopover.

Crapstick.

Just realized there is a 50/50 chance I will be home to vote on Feb. 5. Too late to do absentee.

What are the chances I can convince Joe to vote for me... It worked in 2004 when I wasn't a registered part member.

Florida, again, but not for long

We are in Ft. Lauderdale for a bit, for her 6 minute victory speech. Now that's over, and we'll head to Arkansas.

I'm almost done with my book I brought with me. I should have brought two like Joe suggested. I was worried about the weight of it all. So tomorrow's goal will include finding something to read. I did pick up New York... Hillary and Obama are on the cover though, so its hardly a guilty pleasure this week!

Candy from CNN is sitting behind me. Awesome.

Pandas

I am getting some grief from my colleagues about the pandas. Some of them live here and still have never visited them.

So for those of you unfamiliar with the cutest little panda in the world, go here, and watch him and his mom and possibly dad (unsure of lineage!).

They are amazing.

Found em!

It took the help of both Mom and Reba, but I eventually was able to find a place that sells underwear. JT would say, TMI, but its important!

I walked downtown, saw the White House (it popped out of nowhere!) and now I am enjoying some spicy eggplant and tofu at a Thai place. I love thai food. So much. It's so sad we don't have it easily accessible in Albany.

I think I fixed the photo problem. Thanks for the heads up! If there are more problems, let me know!

I gotta say, between the 8 hours sleep, excersize of walking around for a few hours, eating a healthy breakfast...I feel human again!

A day in DC

I woke up this morning feeling really homesick. I can't help it. I really like my husband and our house and our friends. My friend Rachel has a motto about when she feels sad, she decides to feel awesome instead. So I bundled up and braved the rain, and went to the zoo!

I watched all three pandas have breakfast (chomp on bamboo) and headed back here. I have been trying to figure out how to use flickr to show you pictures. I can't get shutterfly to work. So, hopefully this link will work.

Photos.

If not, i will give it another try in a few hours. I am off to Dupont Circle to get some lunch (I am thinking Thai!) and buy some underwear. It doesn't look like I will be home in three days, and laundry is hard to come by!

Mom raised me right.

Growing up there was really one rule that was more important than all others. There is nothing that a bubble bath can't solve. My mom would say unless the house was burning down, bath time was not to be disturbed.

So tonight, instead of going out on the town, after I filed at the Tribune bureau (so pretty and clean and new and shiny!), I went to CVS and picked up some bubble bath. I was able to turn off my Blackberry, and give myself a nice 30 minutes of peace. I feel SO much better.

I am watching the State of the Union. Weird to see the capitol if I crane my neck out the window, and here is what is going on inside of there. President Bush waited 42 whole minutes before bringing up Sept. 11. It's a record.

I ordered room service and am ready to read and go to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a long day, but we aren't getting started until 'mid afternoon.' I may sleep in I may go for a quick wander to the zoo. I am in the same neighborhood! Or maybe I will go to a Smithsonian. If only the Newseum was open already! I would love to go play there. Either way, this is a welcome break!

In DC for the night

We landed in Washington around 5 p.m. but the flight was incredible! We flew over the Hudson, over Poughkeepsie and both the bridges, over Manhattan (I could point out the Statue of Liberty!) and then DC.

I'm writing at the DC bureau now, but just found out I have this out there, in Metroland, this week. It's not the campaign, but its a story. :)

Greetings from Connecticut

We landed in Tarrytown at 2 a.m., and the bus finally arrived a half hour later. Three hours sleep. I'm in Hartford, Connecticut right now. Kinda weird, I am dissapointed that today I will not be going anyplace new. I've been to Hartford (my favorite Phish show ever! 12/12/99? Maybe 2000), and Springfield Massachussets. Tonight I'll have eight free hours in Washington, D.C. I was saying yesterday its a shame that we haven't had time to explore the neat places we've been, but I meant Memphis, not D.C.

I may go to the Newseam, if it has opened. I may go see Juno. I may meet up with the TFAS kids from my Georgetown days to watch the State of the Union. I may just sleep and order thai food.

Here are links to the 'team coverage' including myself, over the past few days:
On the Kennedy's, Why Black Voters Shifted.

I need a nap.

And now I'm in South Beach

Thank you all for the notes/emails/phone calls! It breaks up the day!!!

It's been a long day. Memphis was pretty fascinating.

We went through a poor neighborhood, every other house was boarded up or broken. Then to this incredible church. They sang and clapped and danced! Hillary spoke, and then Rev. Samuel Billy Kyles talked. He was there the day Dr. King was killed. He described the hours before, how King teased him about buying a house without extra money for furniture. And then the shooting. And the blood and the sheets and the panic. It was really, really moving.

Afterwards we raced out of town to take a plane to Sarasota. Bumpy ride, smooth landing. I skipped Cuban lunch to walk around the outdoor market. I bought myself some earrings while I waited for editing questions. I looked for souveniers, but no luck.

Then a hop to Miami. Hillary had another fundraiser, so we are on our own. The restaurant we were suposed to dine/file/relax was a no go. It was quite posh (and beautiful), but had no power outlets. We went into our reserved room, and it was the wine cellar. THe manager followed us in and kept shouting "You break a bottle of wine, its $50,000!" It was jarring, to say the least. So we left. Now I am at a place called the Front Porch Cafe, overlooking the beach. It is dark down there, so unlike Santa Barbara, I don't think I will explore it tonight.

Looks like I will be back here in Florida on Tuesday. They are keeping me on the trail until then, then figuring out what to do with me. Tonight we're flying up to Tarrytown. Tomorrow its mostly New England, then back to DC in time for the State of the Union. I am going to send out an email to my girls in DC/Baltimore to see if anyone wants to meet up for dinner, since I will have a night off!

I am enjoying a mojito, awaiting some Mahi Mahi. Not such a dinner!!

No ducks before church

We were all loaded up on the bus and ready to go, and then there was word we could see the marching of the ducks. A few of us ran inside, and heard the Duckmaster tell us that the ducks are on three months shifts. They come down the elevator, walk across a red carpet, into the fountain in the center of the hotel lobby, and then swim there until 5 p.m. And he went up to get the ducks.

Then Hillary came through. Time to go.

We're now at a Baptist church in a poor section of Memphis. It's quite amazing. The signing and everything. Find me a church in Albany that is this much fun! Ok, my church across the street with Rev. Smart is probably pretty awesome. That's it. I'm going!

The next time I am home on a Sunday.

Ducks, ducks everywhere!

I slept on a duck embroidered pillow. The paper I jotted notes on, and the pen I used, ducks. Ducks on the shampoo, ducks on the towels, ducks on the roof of the lobby that my room overlooks!!! They are everywhere.

But it was the best six hours sleep I've had in days. I woke up with a sore throat, but I can't be sure if I am sick or if I snored. I took some airbourne, and will have tea with breakfast. I am figuring out how to dress for Miami and Westchester in the same day. And church.

Off to find some grits...

Memphis... at 2 a.m.

So I am not sure if its 1:30 or 2:30. It might be 3:30. But we have arrived in Memphis. I am getting good at flying! Today we did it twice. Tomorrow we're doing it three times, as of now. The landings are a little ridiculous. But everyone gets all riled up, so that in and of itself is fun.

In Nashville I was able to meet up with Aunt Kathy! She came to the Hillary event. It was so good to see her! I met some of her colleagues and the band played and it was lovely.

And now I'm in Memphis, and its too late and I'm too tired to go dancing. LAME! But tomorrow we'll be loitering in Miami for a few hours so that should be fun. And we're coming back to NY at night! 74 degrees and sunny to 30 with snow showers. Flu anyone?

I am a little cranky because my suitcase is slightly broken. I love the thing. It has served me well. And today when it arrived at our hotel, the bottom was smashed. Guess its better to be smashed than lost.

Otherwise it was a neat day. Chelsea came and talked to us about a duck ritual at the hotel we're staying at. The Peabody. It's the second prettiest place I have ever stayed (the resort in Santa Barbara still has my heart). It's quite southern, in my mind. And bright and cheery and yellow and soft. And there are beautiful flowers in the lobby that remind me of Daddy Warbuck's house in Annie.

Anyway. Twice a day there are ducks in the hotel that do a march around the main area. It's apparently quite a phenomenon. Chelsea came to tell us that on weekends the times have been changed. So we will have to miss the ducks to go to church. I asked her if she had contacted the duckmaster, and she said she tried, but he wouldn't change their schedule. Talking to Chelsea about ducks. Not bad.

Off to catch some sleep before the circus starts all over again!

Greetings from Nashville!

I did it! And it was pretty awesome! I'm very flying commercial again. They gave us food. They gave us warm cloths. It was an experience.

Now we are in Nashville. It's cold. We're at TSU, but we won't be in town long enough for me to see Joe's Aunt Kathy. I gave her a call though. After this rally we're flying off to Memphis. I am hoping some press folks are up to exploring! I would love to see a little bit of this state!

Tomorrow we're going to a church (I'm SO excited!!) and then Florida for fundraisers we can't get into. Then Monday we're going to Connecticut and Massachusetts. Maybe I will get home for the State of the Union after all!!

So much for New York and DC! But at least its an interesting weekend.

Confederate flag?

So I was walking around by the capital, talking to Joseph, and voila, there was a confederate flag. Odd. I vaguely remember a debate about that...

Now I am at Five Guys, treating myself to some fries. Waiting for my editing.

Keep me in your thoughts! I'm flying in an hour!!!

On the bus...

We spent the morning at Shaunees, a restaurant chain with great hash browns. It was a little chaotic, but interesting. People were so excited to see Hillary. She ate breakfast there, so we had time to kill. When a bunch of women were excited about one thing coming out for the buffet, I went over to investigate and they encouraged me to try it.

It was fat back. And it was salty. But I ate it!!!

Then we went to a restaurant downtown in Columbia for the same thing. No fat back. But lots of people running around and talking to Hillary.

I've managed to find some vegetables and a place to sit down for a bit. I am writing up my notes for the boys.

Tonight we head to a super rally in Nashville, and then Memphis! Who knew life could be this exciting.

Last minute arrangements

I can't sleep. I changed my car reservation info so I can get the car to them by 8:15 and make it to the baggage call for HillAir as she called it last week. I'm all packed and ready to go... But still, I'm awake...

Barack Obama was fascinating. The crowd was so energetic and so into it! I haven't seen that kind of enthusiasm. And he is an amazing speaker. Definately one to watch. I have no idea how this is all going, but I love that it's still a race and no one is a declared winner, so the votes actually count. It's great.

Today I met a man who said he picks cotton for a living. He spoke at one of the Bill Clinton events. He was 50, but looked much older. He was talking about how hard it was for his son to keep a job and his fears for his grandchildren. I really never thought that we still had cotton pickers.

Tomorrow night I will most likely be in Nashville. I emailed Joe's Aunt Kathy, hopefully she will be in! I looked up the Everybodyfields to see if they were playing anywhere down here while I was down here (familiar faces make me happy!!!) but they're on the West Coast. It's going to be a busy few days, with lots of events and plane rides and stories. I always think I will have free time. Hasn't happened yet!

My story today

Here is what is on the modern Internet with my name on it:

Hillary's library.

Obama for a change

Instead of staying in, catching up on some sleep before tomorrow, I decided to try to see Barack Obama before the primary season is over. You remember my theory, if I see everyone once, I will have covered the president! So far, only the Clintons and Edwards...

Anyway. I am at a beautiful Theater on the USC campus. He isn't here yet, but the crowd is amazing. They were lined up for over a block, in the cold. Young. Much more diverse. Energetic. Fascinating.

A choir sang a few songs. The couple of dozen people on the stage initiated a 'wave' through the crowd. Then an amazing young man came out and played the violin for 15 minutes. First he played over a remix of "I have a Dream" and then My Girl. It was something. Everyone cheering and singing and dancing. This is pretty fun!

On the whole, Obama's music is very different than Hillary's. Hootie and the Blowfish? Phil Collins? Not quite "She was an American Girl" and "The Rising." It's a nice change...

Because tomorrow I am on the Hillary plane! Nothing is official yet (hope I am not jinxing myself) but I am being told I will be on the plane with her tomorrow to Tennessee. Kinda freaking out. But it will be fun... Anyone know the patron saint for flying?

For now I am enjoying this crowd.

Food.

I've been here one full day. But I feel the need to write about the food already.

South Carolinians like meat. A lot! But they are nice about it.

I went to a Mexican restaurant last night, El Chico. It was decorated nicely, if a little tacky. The margaritas were served in beer steins (odd). And there were no vegetarian options. None. Every salad had meat! I had some really tasty chicken, but still!

The bill said: We cater. Please remember us for your next event at your home, office or church.

Not a lot of church mentions on our bills in NY.

Today I tried to stop at a "grill" Reba found online for me to grab lunch. It turned out to be a beer store. That wasn't good for lunch. No other options up in Spartanburg, so I headed southeast, to the town of Newberry. There were signs for miles about the cute downtown. Well, it had a ton of chain fast food, but I wanted authentic southern! I drove down every street in town. No food.

Disheartened, I headed back to the highway and found a lovely pizzaria. Trying to keep an open mind about pizza down here, I went in, and ordered a grilled chicken salad. If I had my uploader with me, I would post the pic (promise I will eventually tonight). There was some iceburg under there, but it was tasty, smokie, on a grill for a long time, chicken. Probably at least a pound of it. It was delicious, but after an hour, I barely made a dent in it.

But the waitress who kept calling me doll and sweetheart loaded me up on 'Sweet Tea.' I asked what was in it and she winked and said it was a family secret. It was amazing. I had a few glasses, and when it was time to go, she even made me a cup to go. It was pretty awesome.

Tonight I am in Columbia, which is a neat little city. I can't really figure out its groove yet, but the college area is well lit, safe, and full of pretty little restaurants. But everywhere is really crowded and the bars were overflowing. And smokie (They still smoke inside here!). I started to loose hope and thought about heading back to the chains for a sad little dinner when I saw Indian Pavillion. Perfect. There were vegetables, tofu, naan! I was a happy girl!!! No smoking! Woo hoo!

The Navaratan Korma, which was spelled so differently I didn't recognize it on the menu, was tasty, but... well... lima beans and corn in korma???

Following Bill

I have spent the day so far driving around the state, following Bill Clinton. We started up in Spartanberg, where he talked for over two hours! Then I drove down to Clinton, which is about an hour away. No idea how I beat him there!!! He gets to run red lights!

And now I am in a pizzaria in Newberry, which will get its own post later on. I have to finish filing a story, but needed a break for a minute from the tapes.

Sweet tea rules!!!

Made it to South Carolina!

Well, I took a plane, all by myself! I wore my second pair of socks I ever made (they are REALLY soft) and Joe drove me and I did it. I am feeling pretty awesome right now.

I landed in North Carolina, and took the Billy Graham Highway (really) to Columbia.

So far I have observed:

The speed limit is 70.

The road kill is MUCH more interesting (a snake and something like a wolf/coyote)

My hotel on the outskirts of town is attached to a nice Italian steakhouse. Across the street is a Cracker Barrell (my parents LOVE it and the one time I went, my breakfast was tasty!), and a Fudruckers is down the block, as is a Waffle House. I am definately looking forward to some grits. Do they serve them at dinner?

I know nothing about the south. I have been to Florida once (Orlando, when I was a kid). But so far, everyone is nice. I want some collards. :) Joe said I should grab some catfish too. But is that being cliche?

I will be here through Saturday's primary, then head to Florida on Sunday morning. I am hoping to come home after that, get some hugs from my darling, maybe get to that Neko Case show at the Egg, and then head back out!

I hope to update this as I can. Thank you all so much for your notes while I was on the road last time! Made me smile!

I'm going... somewhere

Sometime today I am most likely flying off to somewhere!

No one knows where yet, which is a little frustrating, but I am packed, I've checked the TSA website (knitting needles can come with me!) and I am ready to go...

Let's do it again!

Not right away, but I would love to do it all again. It's fascinating to be the witness of history like that.

I made some friends, heard lots of stories, and learned all about the geography and pride of the Granite State. I am fascinated by the Hillary upset, and all the articles and columns that have followed. One by a Times columnist talked about how women don't like to see Hillary be beaten up, and how they respond to it. Apparently when she ran against Lazio, the commentator showed her during the Monica times, and asked about why she lied about her husband. Fascinating.

I've gotten some great feedback from my loved ones on the Internet, so if I ever go back on a trail, I will definately do this again! Today Hillary is in Nevada for most of the day. Then California. I wouldn't mind spending a day or two in sunshine...

But for now, it's great to be home. Joe got me roses. And cleaned the house. And got us Indian food last night, so I could put on pajamas and watch Super Bad. He's a keeper, and life is so much more fun with him.

And we're back...

Despite an overturned tractor trailer that closed Route 9 in Vermont, I made it back in time for the State of the State that's about to start.

I need a nap!

Change of plans...

So at 8:05 my editor for the week called and said to haul it over to Rudy headquarters instead. On the ride over, Rudy's concession of the state speech went on NPR, so I pulled over, taped it, and wrote it up. Now I'm at the Radisson, awaiting further instruction.

Huckabee, Romney have spoken cause they've called it for McCain. Now we're waiting for Hillary/Obama. Obama's rally is just down the street. I am tempted to go over there, but apparently its hard to get through security with his new Secret Service detail. Hillary is across the river and through the woods, at Southern New Hampshire University.

Some of you know tomorrow is the State of the State back in Albany. I've been helping out with arrangements for that from my lil' computer here. Well, now I'm writing a Bloomberg presidential story tomorrow after the SoS.

Phew!

Pictures

While I am waiting for Mitt Romney (and my bacon and pear pizza), I thought I would share some pictures.

Here you go.

Primary Day...

So the polls are closing in an hour. I've been wandering around, taking in the sites. There are far too many Ron Paul supporters. They're everywhere.

Long Islanders too!

But all in all it was a chill day. Tonight will be interesting. I will be at the Romney campaign headquarters. Joe pointed out, a Mormon party.

I've decided I could live in Concord. The bartenders at the Barley House are nice, Joe likes their burgers from our Honeymoon. We could get NESN and watch all the Red Sox games we want. And we could have a moose on our license plate.

I miss home!

Happy Primary Day!

I got to sleep in instead of rocking the Hillary bus this morning I will be hopping around to the rest of the people running.

I'm relieved I didn't end up Dixville Notch. It would have been a long drive for a seven minute story (Obama got 7 votes!) that wouldn't have gone anywhere but the Modern Internet.

So now I am awaiting instruction.

End of the tour...

At least for today.

They’ve brought in the ringers. Matt Lauer, Brian Williams and George Stephanopolous are here. As is Chelsea. And Bill.

People really liked her tonight. I'm exhausted. And there are port-o-potties, which I haven't used since Coventry and don't plan to start now! In the dark! Outside a dome near the Manchester airport!

Tomorrow is going to be a long day. Press call for Hillary is 4:45 a.m. In Manchester. So that's a 30 minute commute (with parking). I don't know how much more of this glamourous life I can take!

Monday...

It's becoming a long, long day. We're in Salem now. I have a quite obstructed view in an auditorium that looks way too much like Spackenkill High's, and they have the same SHS moniker... but they'r colors are red and white instead of green.

The 'crying' footage is making the rounds. I have the lead byline which is nice. Still ready to nap. But we have this event and then another with both Clintons.

One woman went with Chelsea as she campaigned for her mom today. I guess she was calling people and they didn't believe it was Chelsea. Would you? These poor people keep getting phone calls and people knocking on their doors. No wonder they're ready for Wednesday.

Hillary gets emotional

My day so far:

Hillary shows emotion.

I'll be back on the bus shortly, to another super rally, and then on to a Bill and Hill event... and hopefully making it back to my hotel by midnight.

I remember packing my bathing suit, imagining awesome excersize time in the mornings... oh well.

Monday, part 1

I'm in Manchester, killing time in the Radisson. The call time for the Hillary bus was suposed to be 7 a.m. They bumped it some time after midnight to 8:15, but I hauled it down to Manchester instead of checking my email.

I've learned my lesson.

MSNBC is taping in the lobby as well, and I am sitting across from Pat Buchanen.

I will be on the Hillary bus today. We're going to Portsmouth! I love it there!! We went for a few days on our vacation this past summer. It was amazing. I think we're going to the coffee shop in the center of town. I could live in Portsmouth. Joe and I were plotting of making all our friends move with us in August.

I'm starting to miss my bed. I definately miss my Joe. And I could use a nap.

Things that made me smile in the past 24 hours

Joe Burke. When I texted him that I was having some bumps in the road (ie not having a bus ride from Nashua!!!), he called and it was so nice to have him to chat with. He's the best. Sorry everyone else. He really is.

Listening to the Arcade Fire on the bus on my fake iPod after being cranky about a few editing issues.

Yesterday I was lost and called Reba to guide me through the streets of Manchester, to get me to Brentwood. I was flustered with a few things (ie not having a Road Atlas- its been taken care of!!!). And Reba offered this idea: Joe and I and Hillary and Bill should go on wife swap. Scary.

Day 3, part 2

Sorry! I've been away from the modern Internet all day. My wifi was all screwy.

After the Hillary super rally, our press bus left a dozen of us behind! We ran out when the director told us to, and saw the busses and they pulled away. We waved, and the driver saw us, but the secret service said to keep going!

So instead we finished our stories in the high school hallways, waiting for the small bus to come back for us. In the meantime, I met Ben Smith! I tried not to act too excited, but I was. He was my favorite blogger when he was at the Daily News.

Eventually we got a ride and headed an hour east, to Hampton. More rallies. More crowds. No Internet. And Hillary said something about Putin not having a soul.

Now I'm back up in Concord. Tired. But they sell wine at the gas stations, so I am having a glass before bed, and hoping to read at least another chapter of my friend Matt's book. Or maybe I will just watch the Family Guy.

No word yet on tomorrow. My editor for the week had mentioned going on Obama watch, but he will be WAY upstate. I will charge the fake-iPod just in case. If not, I am hoping to see Huckabee and Chuck Norris.

Day 3, Part 1

Well, so far nothing is as it appeared in Beth Harpaz’s The girls in the van. But its not quite “Journeys with George” that Nancy Pelosi’s daughter did either.

First, they feed us good food. Croissants and coffee for breakfast, with fruit on the side! And then decent wraps and homemade cookies for lunch. I prepared for the worst, and have cheese, almonds and apples in my bag. Didn’t want to be starving through the day if the option was a ham sammy.

We spent the morning, in the cold, going door to door with Hillary and Chelsea. I went back and talked to two neighbors, in one’s home, with their 4-year old running around, and a dog. People have been really welcoming to the press. I had been told that the New Hampshire-ites treat talking to the press as part of their democratic responsibilities. I am grateful for it.

Now I am in Nashua, at a super rally in a gym. People stood for over an hour and a half to hear the candidate speak, and she took their questions for over an hour. Supposedly there is another one of these in an hour in Durham. Not sure where that is, but I am grateful for the bus today, instead of trekking around the state.

Maybe I can even get some knitting in during the ride…

Things on my mind

Things on my mind since I’ve been in New Hampshire:
-In NH, they like The Police and AC/DC. A lot.
-They Might Be Giants are in a Dunkin Donuts commercial?
-They don’t have full lanes in New Hampshire, because there’s nowhere to put all the snow.
-CVS sells everything you need. Everything.
-Democrats all use the same three songs: The Rising, Won’t Back Down, You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.

Day 2, part II

Well, the debates are on, and I am watching them at a bar with wifi in Concord. I had Joe looks up wifi places for me to have dinner, and he found it for me. It's directly across from the state capitol and its pretty gold top. And full of perky Obama supporters that are really excited.

And its the restaurant we stopped at for lunch on our honeymoon when we visited a million state capitals.

I was going to go to the debates tonight, to watch them live, but alas, the media area was full. Apparently you had to sign up a month ago. So instead I watch it with the "common folk" that the media love so much.

So instead of waiting in an auditorium this evening, I drove to Brentwood, and watched Bill Clinton talk to a few hundred union workers for a few hours. It was amazing to see such a frank discussion. I'll be blogging about it. (http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/)

I'm trying not to get too excited, because things can change at any point. But as of an hour ago, there was a pretty good chance I'm covering Hillary all day tomorrow. I just want some sort of set thing to know that I am doing. Hopping around is hard!!

Day 2, part 1

This morning I decided to start a quick blog for New Hampshire, instead of emailing my loved ones with updates. And since I will be loitering in coffee shops while I wait for assignments, it seemed logical, and blogger makes it easy.

I spent the morning at a John Edwards rally. 600 people in a small room. The fire marshall was a very patient man. Elizabeth introduced him, and the people seemed to love both of them. A quick speech and a couple of questions took an hour.

After the event I spoke briefly to Joe Trippi. He does not love the national media.

Then we gaggled around the senator. He took four questions. I tried.

Now I'm in a Panera. I wrote up a story, most likely for our website, and am planning my afternoon before tonight's debates.

Melissa goes to New Hampshire!

At 8 a.m. Friday morning, I got word that I would be covering the New Hampshire primary. Details to be announced later.

So I packed my bags, hit the office to get some maps, and gave Joe a squeeze before heading east.

By 2 p.m. I was in Keene. I interviewed a few folks for a color piece (including some adorable high school seniors who were crafting "Vote" t-shirts to wear for the next week), had lunch, and played a Cajun concertina.

Wandered around town, talking to more "common folks" for the story, which was ultimately bumped to Sunday or beyond.

Then I drove, in the dark, on a windy road, to the tiny town of Milford. There we parked in a snowy field and took a school bus to the New Hampshire Dome, where 4,000 Democrats had dinner. Dodd and Biden didn't come, nor did Edwards, who opted instead to go to Portsmouth for an event. Kucinich (with his beautiful wife), Richardson and Hillary (with her husband and Chelsea) spoke, as did Obama. Long night. Lots of Democrats. And a thin Howard Dean that is slightly jarring.

It was on CSPAN so Joe watched along with me for a while, which was nice.

By 9 a few of us begged a school bus to take us back to our cars. I missed Obama, but I still had an hour drive to the hotel, which I didn't have directions to. By 10:30 I was in bed, so it all worked out just fine.