Walt Handelsman

Obama is an awesome speaker and as I wrote yesterday, it's wonderful to be a part of American history. But it's important to stay objective and just cover the event. Period.

At political conventions wierd stuff is supposed to happen...and it does! Last night I shared a cab with two other folks leaving the convention. Turns out they are actually Hillary Clinton's hair and makeup team! It was an interesting ride. I learned a lot. Plus I scored a new haircut and pantsuit!

One of the great perks of working these conventions is getting to hang with my brother, Steve.

It's easy as a journalist to get jaded. As a cartoonist, I just naturally see everything in terms of humor or sarcasm...But just moments ago, watching Barack Obama officially become the first African-American nominee of a major American party, I know I just witnessed first hand a great moment in the history of our country and it's a privilege to be a part of it.

---Walt

The giant parking lot surrounded by gates for protesters is almost always empty

But last night, as I left to go out for a few drinks with friends, there was a lone guy in there doing this. Now there's a cause we can all get behind!

A funny thing happened on the way into the convention hall.

The press keeps yammering on about how scripted these conventions have become.

The dems are hoping Joe Biden will be a pitbull.

When I arrived at the convention site Sunday afternoon, I spotted a group of heavily armed security forces running drills on a huge SUV with like 8 guys hanging off the outside of the vehicle. They were covered in bulky armor and carrying gigantic flat-black rifles. Bottom line, they looked very cool and very ready to kick butt.
Fast forward to this morning...As soon as I arrived I saw a group of local policemen all hanging off a little white golf cart. They exact same kind I bounce around through the woods on when I tear up the turf on Long Island.
As I tried to snap their picture they screeched to a stop in front of me and in a menacing tone yelled at me that I wasn't allowed to take their picture.
Now, I have a great deal of respect for law enforcement and I particularly appreciate what they do to protect me and everyone else at big events like this. But the only reason they didn't want the picture taken is because they looked silly...I mean reeeeeeeeally silly They knew it...I knew it...And now through the magic of ball point pen and paper...You know it.

This animation is over a year old and I've posted it here before but watching all that's going on here this week in Denver, it still strikes me as relevant. See what you think.

Enjoy---Walt

When I work in my Newsday office, I turn off the lights so I can trace my rough sketches onto my thicker drawing paper by using a light table. So I lugged the light table to the DNC in Denver but once I saw our unbelievably bright, plastic-roofed work tent, I knew I was in trouble.

First I tried pulling the blue plastic skirt running around the table over my head like one of those old-time photographers but that didn't work.

Then I actually tried to lay on the floor under the table but realized immediately that I would never be able to walk again if I spent two hours down there.

Finally I decided to think inside the box.

More later---Walt

Coming to these conventions is always such a sureal experience. This is the fifth time I've been lucky enough to be sent to draw cartoons at the conventions and although it's hectic getting around the crowded venues and a real pain standing in the long, slow lines to get through security...The bottom line is I love the excitement.

This is a news junkies crack house!

It turns out that on this very morning the power center of New York politics was at United Airlines gate C-14 at LaGuardia airport where I just happened to be seated.

To the right of me sat Congressman Gary Ackerman. To the left of me sat Congressman Steve Israel. In front of me sat Suffolk legislative big-wig Jon Cooper. And holding court in the aisle across from me was none other than the Speaker of the New York State Assembly, Sheldon Silver.

Luckily Shelly didn't mention any of the mean spirited (read: funny) cartoons I have done about him lately. He spoke in hushed tones...I think they were holding some sort of secret meeting about the pros and cons of the airport bran muffins.

Jon Cooper casually mentioned to me that he hadn't met any Hillary supporters who were not solidly behind Obama...To which a random woman seated behind us poked up her head and said, " I'm not...I still support Hillary! "

Let the fun begin!

At one point Congressman Israel seemed to be working the room. All I could think was these folks had already paid the extra bag fee and now they were being hit up for a campaign contribution at Gate C-14!

For the record, Gary Ackerman sat in First class, Jon Cooper sat in the middle of the plane, Steve Israel was smashed into a window seat next to a squirming child while I sat comfortably behind him in an aisle seat chuckling to myself.

The esteemed Mr Silver sat in close proximity to the true seat of power on an airplane...across from the bathroom.

Cartoonist Disclaimer: I am a cartoonist. I am not a professional writer. I doodle for a living. I embellish the facts and twist reality on a daily basis and get paid for it. If these convention blog entries have misspellings and incorrect punctuation please do not contact my editor to complain. She may get mad and not send me back in 4 years.

Give a news junkie a break!

More tomorrow---Walt