DNC 2012: Greetings From Charlotte!

The Democrats are up to bat.

The 2012 Democratic National Convention is in full swing, and Democratic delegate Nan Stearns is providing her updates from Charlotte, N.C.

Nan and her husband are "recovering Republicans" since 1992 and are fully behind President Barack Obama.

Stearns sent out an email on Sunday to let us know how excited she is about the convention and how things are over there. 

Here is her email:

Well we did it.  We got up at 4:00 yesterday morning, we had a nice school teacher/driver pick us up promptly at 5:15, and we were at the airport in Manchester is perfect time for an easy and stressless departure.  The trip down was about two hours; we snoozed much of it away.  We were greeted at the airport by swarms of smiling volunteers who made our arrival easy as well.  Before we knew what was happening we were at our hotel, The Renaissance Charlotte Suites, and unpacked and put away before lunch.

For lunch I ordered a new item, a BLT Salad with Fried Chicken.  We are in the south, after all.  Pete had a Bistro Dip, and he too was happy.  A lovely nap readied us for our big evening and our first party:  The Media Event at The Music Factory.  My fantasy was that we would meet somebody from MSNBC, but we just met some really lovely people, enjoyed the free drinks and ample "heavy hors d'oeuvres", and took a taxi home.  Sounds simple, but the people added delicious complexity.

I am going to send separately, because I do not know how to do it otherwise - - yet - - of some of the people.  You will see the ladies who greeted us at the airport, plus one of us taken by our best new friend who took us under her wing and got us onto the correct bus.  You will see Julie and Denver from Charlotte - - she undeclared, he Republican.  You will love Brittany and Erican from Virginia, who came up and told me they hoped to be as "cute" as I am when they are my age.  You will see the good-looking man who took my picture with Julie and Denver for a Charlotte paper.  Then there is Sonja and her Mother Georgia, who was happy to find another old lady.  Sonja is a delegate from Colorado. 

I did not get a picture of Beliese Kolo Kolo from The Congo, our taxi driver who got us safely home.  He told us he had written twice to Obama to call his attention to the horrid situation in his home land.  He spoke of women being raped and others trying to take the land.  He broke my heart.  I am going to try to help him call more attention to the situation. 

I have not figured out if this is going to work or if the computers are timed.  My time may be up.  

We are so thrilled to be here - - I must pinch myself.

Look out for more photos and updates from Nan Stearns coming this week.