I should get extra credit for the double alliteration in that headline.
I want to clear up something: I know who Mo Rocca is. If you read the blog post about Obama girl, you'll note that I said she was with some guy that I didn't care about. This was intended to be a joke. It was apparently neither funny nor understood.
Now, for the photos. First, a shot from my surprise interview with Governor Blagojevich. I say it was a surprise for two reasons: first, he hasn't appeared as a guest on WJBC in a very long time (his office has been less than helpful) and second, I almost (literally) ran into him as he passed our broadcast spot on the concourse. To his credit, he did give me a few minutes of his time. You can hear the whole interview this afternoon. We'll also put it up here on the website then.
Now for delegate Mike Matejka's photos for the Illinois delegation's spot on the floor:
Breaking News: Obama Girl spotted near WJBC broadcast facility
Below you'll find photos snapped by Bob Bradley featuring the famous "Obama girl." She's the one with the long hair. The other guy is with The Tonight Show, but we really didn't care enough to find out who he was.
We've also witnessed personally at least four bits recorded by the news team of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. They seem to have taken a shine to our little corner of the Pepsi Center. But we don't care about that. We care about Obama girl. Really. Jason Jones is the blurry guy second from left.
Oh, look at me! I've adopted the cable news tactic of using a question as a headline, thereby allowing you to suggest the most ridiculous thing that comes to mind without actually suggesting it. Example: McBride Serial Killer? Good stuff.
Things are a little more settled on Day 2 of the Democratic Convention. Michelle Obama's speech and Ted Kennedy's (kind of) surprise appearance at last night's festivities has taken some of the attention away from the alleged grumbling of Hillary supporters who say they won't back Obama. I spoke with local Clinton delegate and lifelong Hillary friend Patsy Bowles who seemed to think the media was making much more out of the situation than they should. For her part, she says she preferred Clinton but fully intends to support Obama. Bowles will join us on the show this afternoon and we'll talk to her again tomorrow after Clinton speaks to her delegates.
Yesterday's on air highlight was probably the appearance of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, who will be introducing Obama on Thursday. The highlight was his for foreshadowing of Kennedy's appearance.
Now for the photos. Here's the best button I've seen this week so far:
Senator Durbin stops by:
Local delegate Mike Matejka took this photo from the floor during last night's Michelle Obama speech:
I'm not sure the locals are thrilled. There are major disruptions to traffic patterns and mass transportation. Two different locals I ran into Sunday proudly proclaimed they were leaving town for a week.
Denver is as beautiful as advertised. The city has gone all out to welcome the convention, including placing "information volunteers" all over downtown.
I covered the Chicago convention in 1996 and the difference in police presence is amazing. No doubt it's a symptom of the post 9/11 era, but I've never so many police with riot gear a the ready. Another difference is the perimeter; security checkpoints are anywhere from 2-4 blocks away.
Wolf Blitzer is taller than I thought. And even though a star of his status was required to show his credentials to enter the CNN headquarters, he handled it like a gentelman.
Here are a few photos from the floor:
A shot of The Daily Show's Bus. Note the logos of 80's heavy metalers RATT:
Biff Henderson from The Late Show with David Letterman does an interview in front of WJBC's station:
And finally, a shot of CNN's show on the floor. You can't tell how tall Wolf is because he's sitting:
For those who missed the news, longtime WJBC broadcaster Art Kimball was named a recipient of the Illinois Broadcasters Association's brand new Pioneer Award. Here's the tribute video shown at last week's ceremony.
Step Out to Fight Diabetes Fundraising Luncheon/Walk Kickoff
The annual Step Out to Fight Diabetes Fundraising Luncheon/Walk Kickoff is coming Wednesday, July 9th from 12:00-1:00pm at Outback Steakhouse in Bloomington. For $15 (all of which goes to the American Diabetes Association for local outreach and projects) you get either chicken or roasted sirloin, choice of a side, and a drink. To sign up today, call the ADA at 1-888-342-2383, extension 6546.
The walk itself is October 4 at White Oak Park. You can sign up today by clicking here.
