Jill Foster

Covering the DNC for Utterz was incredible:

–the Big Mo, bloggers’ role at this convention, and interviewing a former member of President Clinton’s cabinet. It all intersected. And at first, I wasn’t sure what value my presence at this event would produce.

Then as the convention itself unfolded, other issues overshadowed my original concerns of where I personally fit in to this huge experience.

Churning reflections:
A blog post has been in-progress for just under two weeks; and I’m realizing it’s too mentally mountainous for a single release. The experience affected me as a blogger for certain but as a voter more so. I’ll use the next few weeks to share the different levels of impact.

MINI-SERIES: how blogging the DNC reshaped me as a voter:
• the interviews: James Carville, Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas Zúniga, Mark Lloyd and civil rights leadership, Seane Corn and her spiritual revolution, Former Ass’t Secretary of Labor Geri Palast, and more.
• the education: on panelists discussions including climate change, community media, politics and technology, women’s movement, religious progressives, and more!
• coverage on DNC bloggers –including political attention given DNC social media outlets: mainstream media and democratic leaders invested their time toward the Big Tent i.e. a lounge and media center dedicated to bloggers covering DNC events;
• technical practice –gleaned and valued for this project: simplifying goals pre-travel; avoiding perfection; and deciding what to cover.

DNC media splice:
From the UK’s Guardian comes a 5 minute clip with yours truly about bloggers’ DNC involvement.

More from:

• My reasons for attending and covering this Democratic convention;
• Steadily feed your pig;
• More Friday Fiscal Tickle archives: weekly and wacky finance video in 150 seconds or less.

In the wake of a hugely competitive primary…
and with cell phone in hand, I’m DNC/Denver bound in a few hours.

I’ll cover DNC (check out this inclusive DNC event calendar) and Big Tent events via audio, video, text, and pics, all from my cell phone.

Why?

Because if there’s one convention I want to attend in my lifetime, it’s the one where this candidate re-ignited my political activism. It’s this convention and this campaign that are grounded in the power of WOM advocacy, peer-to-peer networks online, and good ole block-to-block grass roots organizing more so than ever in my 37 years. It’s the first time in 20 years I’ve canvassed for a candidate.

And this candidate named Sen. Obama isn’t perfect.

But pursuing a candidate’s perfection is not my motivator to attend this DNC. It’s in some way to document the kick-off of this campaign’s final leg — in all the grit and hope that a determined, inspired team like this has become.

And Sen. Obama’s leadership and message started it.

And I want to be there, sharing via mobile media, 24/7.

Join me!

To find my online coverage, visit on Utterz or Twitter.

[audio http://www.utterz.com/utts/04/041dcf46537d512c71ad4fcf7b1e3469.mp3]

Mobile post sent by JillFoster using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

For more:
…interviews, pics, and reflections on Russia’s military action.

Question to you:
So what do you most want to see or learn from a DNC coverage perspective?

• hear from DNC volunteers and campaigns?
• learn from social tech, media, and political leaders from Big Tent Media Center events?
• observe delegate and caucus meetings open to the public?
• listen to viewpoints from top political bloggers, lobbyists, Denver residents (on being a DNC host city), and advocacy groups?
• …or “Mix above in a blender ’cause you want it all!”

Time tick-tocks away with next month’s DNC almost at the doorstep.

And I’m exhilarated to cover the DNC and provide a mobile media portrait for Utterz.com! So thanks for sharing your interests in content.

And thanks to Chris Parandian and Mobile Diner for discussing this event coverage last week.

Utterz social media tool was born for politics!

Thanks to Jason Rosenbaum at The Seminal for hosting last night’s event with Jim Slattery’s campaign team.

I love conversing with people in this setting while using Utterz; their passion and drive for campaigns come across so strongly. And Utterz technology provides an ability to draw that out naturally in conversation.

More from:

• A jazzed-up conversation cast per Utterz with Rep. Jim Slattery’s senate campaign.
• Progressive political minds at The Seminal (…check out that story on the unabashed latest from the AP and bloggers).

Once a registered Republican

…then registered Independent, and now a registered Democrat relishing social media  – this was an inspiring January day when I was able to stand in line with thousands to hear Sen. Kennedy endorse Sen. Obama for president (thanks Utterz!).  I just realized this content had not imported when migrating to the new blog earlier in the week.

Ah the memories!

Utterz audio recap (per January of this year):

Observing those in line;

Crowds push through;

Watching pre-endorsement events with Kennedy family;

Crowds chant “Teddy, Teddy”, anticipating his stage arrival;

Kennedy gains momentum & impacts crowd with his speech (and endorsement);

Reflecting on Obama’s remarks & his Kenyan father.