Probably not in my best interest to taunt the audience, but hell yeah! I got a ticket to impossible to get tickets to Belmont Presidential Debate!!!
the pre-game…
For those of us who are not politicians, celebrities or big-time donors, we were required to park at Greer Stadiumand ride shuttle buses to Belmont. The last shuttle was scheduled to depart at 6:15, so of course, I showed up at that time and rushed to the tapering line of attendees to be frisked and metal-detected before jumping on the last bus to Belmont.
When we arrived to the event center, the Grand Atrium was packed with every politico and activist country star Nashville could muster. To name just a few:
- Mitt Romney
- Al Gore
- Fred Thompson
- Bob Corker (US Senator for TN)
- Lamar Alexander (US Senator for TN– currently up for re-election)
- Zach Wamp (US Rep for TN, 3rd District)
- Van Hillery
- Harold Ford, Jr.
- Cowboy Troy
- John Rich
the debate…
After a little mix and mingle we shuffled to our seats, which were 4th row, closest section to the exclusive “town hall” center stage where a select group of 80 people were chosen to pose questions to our presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama. I was staring down the back of Michelle Obama, but even better, I had a crystal clear view of Meghan McCain’sblack patent stilettos; I may have paid more attention to her shoes than her father.
Numerous individuals from the Commission on Presidential Debatesand finally Tom Brokaw spoke, all making it explicitly clear that the audience was to remain silent and anyone who such much as mustered a cheer would be removed– ie. stay quiet or the secret service will drag your chatty ass to the street. Only the flutter of camera shutters and the breath, sigh and fidget of those around me could be heard.
At 7:58:30, the media (more than 2,000 media attended) turned on their live cameras and at 8:00 Tom Brokaw made his introductions and what would become his agitated moderation of the debate. The answers were expected and but lively, adherence to the debate format: question–2 minute response–1 minute free flow discussionwas non-existent and it was frigid like a fucking ice box– my feet were numb in 20 minutes, I sat in that butt bone breaking bleacher seat for more than 2 hours.
My most amusing moments:
- Anheaser-Bush Companies are the first named national sponsor (would have been nice to have a beer during the debate– thanks Belmont, you bunch of bible-beating conservatives)
- Both E-Bay and Russia were mentioned (not mentioned in the VP debate, which fueled many a missed bingo opportunity)
- McCain referred to the American people as “my friends” at least a hundred times, at least
- I got a free CSPAN tote bag on my way out– word CSPAN
the after party…
One of my greatest friends works for the Bob Tuke senate campaign so as soon as I got back to Greer Stadium, at 11 pm, I was off to the Tuke for TN official Democratic Viewing Party and After Party at the Mercy Lounge. I had a blast! Biscuits and Gravy, Futureman and How I Became the Bomb provided the tunes. Mr. Tuke gave a speech on the stage at Mercy to tout his recent endorsement by Obama at Al Gore’s private post debate party earlier that evening and to muster some enthusiasm from the youth vote. SpotLite dance studio, in full colonial costume, followed Mr. Tuke’s oration with some hip-hop and break dance accompanied by the Black Mozart Ensemble (who played with Futureman– hotT violin player).
I met Mr. Tuke before his speech and was pleased to find him personable, attentive and actually engaging, unlike some politicians who shake your hand with one eye on their next photo op. Though Mr. Tuke’s race against Alexander is a long shot, I got to say– where is your campaign Lamar? Where are the signs? outreach? I don’t see nothin.
For those of you who give a damn about the future of our country and/or bothered to watch the debate, you like me, were probuably bored, but still proud to see Nashville and Belmont in the national spotlight. After all, Tennessee has NEVER BEFORE hosted a presidential debate; what a moment in history to observe and take part in? There’s one more, so tune in October 15th for the final debate at Hofstra University in NY.
such a political minx!
i was in maddox by 4:30 promptly freezing my ass off. some fashion minxes might have voted against the black rain boots with a black dress, but by god i was never so glad to have worn them.
also, i was back at my car at 10:30. i hauled it out of that place and was on the first bus back to greer!