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Vote 2004

2004 Democratic National Convention

NewsHour Extra:
NewsHour Extra's Vote 2004

My Story:A young reporter discusses why teaching abstinence in schools over the use of birth control can hurt rather than help women. 07.27.04

My Story: A 17-year-old delegate to the DNC convention in Boston shares his vision of what will appeal to young voters. 07.26.04

My Story: A Boston teen says Democrats and Republicans should address issues teens care about. 7.26.04

Update: Conventions Define Presidential Election. 07.19.04

Update: Young Voters: Untapped Potential for Candidates. 02.11.04

My Story: I Can't Vote But I Still Count. 01.26.04

Update: Political Conventions. 8.2.00

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Children's PressLine

The 2004 Democratic National Convention

The 2004 Republican National Convention

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Sights and Sounds from the Democratic Convention Floor
Posted: 07.29.04

Eighteen-year-old Nily Rozic describes what it's like to be at the Democratic Convention in Boston.

Boston - The Democratic National Convention is a muse for the politically obsessed. Whether it is an interview on the floor of the Fleet Center or a quick conversation on the T train, the city is bustling with politically inspired activity. The highlights of everyday, however, are the primetime speeches given by such big names as former President Clinton and Teresa Heinz-Kerry.

Opening night

Upon approaching the Fleet Center all you hear is the humming of the helicopters that are patrolling the skies and all you see are stretches of wired fence and cement blocks.

The Fleet Center is a honeycomb of people. All walks of life gather to celebrate the opening night of the convention. There is a buzz in the atmosphere and my eyes widen at the prospect Nily Rozic (r)of spotting a prominent figure.

Prior to the Clinton's speeches it was easy to sneak my way around, but as soon as Hillary Clinton hit the stage the security shifted from superficially comforting to intimidating. The tight security refused to let anyone stand in any area that overlooked the arena. This became overly frustrating as the desire to hear Clinton speech overcame any other thought in my mind. On Monday night, I watched Clinton speak from the worst possible angle - the dreaded nose-bleed section- yet I was euphorically satisfied. It was my first night at my first convention and who better to hear than one of the most inspirational public speakers.

Who are these crazy delegates?

My second night back at the convention, I was exhausted from 12-hour days, but there was no way I would miss my chance. During the morning hours, the Fleet Center is still recovering from the overwhelming excitement of the previous night. The vendors slowly lift up the gates as they gear up for yet another night. This time around I went down to the floor for a different perspective.

The floor has a whole atmosphere unto itself. Some wear crazy red, white and blue sequined hats while others have donkeys as finger puppets. Celebrities mingle with delegates and all hold up signs when they cheer for the speakers. The roar of the crowd and the waving of the signs contribute to the electricity that runs through every single person in the arena. The energy and emotions on the floor are at such a high levels that it felt plastic, artificial.

During every speech a different sign is given out to the crowd, so that they cheer when the cue is given. On command, people hold up their respective signs and scream as long as possible at times mimicking a rock concert. Delegates compete for the loudest cheer. Press scramble for position.

So there I stood in the middle of a myriad of faces and a sea of red white and blue signs taking in the first, but definitely not last, convention.

--By Nily Rozic, 18, an editor for Children's PressLine

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