Category Archives: Political Theater

Bits and Pieces

So, here is what I know after my first day at a Republican National Convention.

Comfortable shoes are a must!

Thank goodness for these Ivanka Trump shoes I rocked for over 12 hours! All the walking and standing and walking up and down stairs and walking to point A from point B would have caused a Fitbit explision I’m just sure of it!

The Quicken Arena is Big.

Here is my view from the cheap seats, or “Loud City” as we say in OKC. And, it was loud!

I chose another angle to watch my Governor address the crowd.

She did a really nice job…especially since there was a little conflict and controversy taking place.

The arena is a cesspool of activity.

This lady from Colorado was one of the head Dump Trumpers. She had a small, but vocal contingent with members from several states (my own included) who tried to pull a coup.

They failed. I just happened to walk by an interview of her that took place before their movement was shut down.

Yes, there were some sore losers in the building. Fact.

This is one of my favorite reporters from MSNBC. He is what I would call a roaming reporter….
I am old enough to be his mother.

You run into people you know everywhere.

Cliff and our friend from Tulsa (center), ran into another Okie (tall, young one on the left) who will be the next head of the RNC. What a breath of fresh air he is and a great guy all around.

I am now a big fan of Facebook. Haha

We found the Facebook tent mid afternoon and their adorable intern from Northwestern (and his boss) allowed us to charge our phones while we enjoyed a cold beverage and chilled before the prime time speeches. They also explained a little Facebook live challenge they had going on a took a party pic of a few of us in their “Oval Office!”

The Media Narrative is skewed.

After our phones were charging we met several reporters for a national magazine who were looking just as exhausted and thrilled to have found the same shady respite. In the course of a conversation with them, we learned they had been covering the protesters…all 2-300 of them. Bet it looked like more than that on television, didn’t it?

Evidently, this is an unconventional convention.

Since this is my first ever political convention, I am not sure if there is a precedent for the nominee to speak to the convention before he speaks to the convention – but last night, he introduced his wife (who, by the way was stunning and humble and gracious and wow’d everyone but the media).

It was something else and brought the arena to its feet.

In fact, I really want her white dress but I hear it has sold out already.

Maybe I can just be her in my next life! Seriously though, she was simply breathtaking and you could have heard a pin drop in that arena when she spoke about her family, her immigrating to the United States, her life with Donald Trump. What I experienced in the arena and what I read from the media this morning are two different narratives and I will leave it there.

I am just thrilled to be experiencing a little history in the making from my seat on the sidelines!

Refreshing Difference

Like most Americans, Cliff and I have spent the past 24 hours glued to the t.v. watching the coverage of the tragedy in Nice, the attempted military coup in Turkey and wondering what the heck is happening in our world! Seriously makes me want to hug my almost grown babies a little tighter and pray for our world.

But, sandwiched in-between the international news coverage was a media narrative that caught my attention, a narrative that belittles and bashes the presumptive Republican nominee for POTUS. Imagine that! Republican bashing has been a sanctioned sport for members of the media as long as I can remember. However, since we are headed to Cleveland to the big event, I had to watch the talking heads pontificate this morning…so, just shoot me already!

A handful of reporters on a few of the cable networks doubled down on the ‘bungled’ roll out of the Vice Presidential candidate, mocking the new campaign logo, the list of people who aren’t speaking at the convention…you name it, they gave it their best shot to downgrade and denigrate. Some of the words used were sloppy, strange, disorganized, rocky, to depict a superficial narrative they (the media) are trying to develop. Sure, maybe it was all of those things, but I would suggest a different one. A narrative that addresses the why and how a political outsider (with a long history in the media and lots of baggage) rose to the top? What was behind that rise and how does it correlate to the mood of the country? Clearly, there is something brewing and despite all the media bashing, and millions spent in unanswered negative ads by the other side, the race is virtually tied? Like I said – there is a story here.

I happened to catch an interview with Ben Ginsberg, a Republican strategist who has been around as long as I can remember…probably since Reagan….Anyway, he was funneling questions about the convention, Republican “dis-unity” and all the proported fumbles by the nominee on his VP rollout ….Ginsberg just chuckled and said he found (Trump) the nominee’s way of doing things to be ‘refreshingly different.’

Refreshingly different. Exactly. Trump might not be doing things the way politicians typically do things, but it’s probably why he received more votes in a Republican primary than any other nominee…EVER! He isn’t running as a politician, but rather as a businessman…someone who can clean up the mess politicians have made. That is the real story here…or, at least something to talk about anyway.

Odds & Ends

So, here’s what I know. We are headed to Cleveland in less than a week and I am kind of freaking out for lots of OBVIOUS reasons. Or, maybe because we just returned from a long weekend in Chicago and traveling on airplanes is not my favorite thing to do…never mind we went to a special wedding for the girl next door and nothing says you are old than when the children you watched grow up go and get married. What a gorgeous event, this wedding. The ceremony was held at the Saint James Chapel. Simply breathtaking.

And, was followed by a reception at the Field Museum. THE FIELD MUSEUM. Oh my goodness, who gets to party with the dinosaurs. Seriously.

It was such a beautiful evening and everyone stopped to take pics in front of the museum with this view!

Then we headed up to the tent for a happy hour.

Before heading into the museum for dinner.

I mean, just look at those gardenias, peonies, hydrangeas and ivy combined with the navy blue cloths and chairs and china!! Simply stunning!! How many times have I said that in this post?

Wow. Just Wow! We were so so honored to be included in this incredible…over the top…celebration for a special family friend.

Next up- Cleveland for the Republican National Convention.

So many questions…oh my goodness, like who will be the VP pick? Who is speaking? Are the delegates REALLY plotting a coup to Dump Trump? How many different groups will be protesting? Most importantly, what to pack! At least, I know the Oklahoma delegation has matching navy blue blazers with an Oklahoma patch sewn on…so, there’s that. I also know the Doobie Brothers are scheduled to play at the opening reception which is worth the trip in itself for someone my age, haha. There are also some fun side events and BBQ’s that we’ll be attending. Secretly, I hope to catch a glimpse of my favorite journalists and politicians who will be there either reporting or spinning. So, while the Senator is doing his delegate thing, I will be stalking members of the media and snagging pics of all the crazy- cause you know it’s gonna be there!

Happy Monday!