A newcomer braces for frenzy to come

I'm new to politics. In fact, I wouldn't really even say that I am "in politics." I don't see myself that way -- I'm just frustrated.

I'm frustrated with the direction of this country, and going into this year, I knew that the classic idea of "participation" wasn't going to be enough. It would require more than a few dollars and a vote -- my frustration demanded that I become part of the force pushing on the symbolic "levers of change."

In 2004, I was voting more against Bush than for Kerry. It wasn't anything wrong with Kerry, but his message and his vision didn't connect with me. The process seemed rather remote, and I felt powerless in the face of big party politics. Who was I anyway?

Barack Obama changed all that for me. Not only did his policies speak to me, but he grew a new machine -- a machine that sprouted new levers for each new supporter. Not only could I believe in the message and the vision but now I had tools at my disposal that allowed me to participate. Long story short, those tools led me down a path to Denver and my first ever political convention.

Yesterday, as I looked at the convention calendar on the blog DemConWatch, the size and scope of the convention finally hit. For weeks I have been receiving invitations to this or that event, but it wasn't until I actually tried to make sense of my calendar that the scope of what lay before me hit.

I've been to large technology conventions, but never have I navigated such an array of competing choices.

Seasoned convention veterans have been advising me to pace myself carefully, and now I understand why. I'm even beginning to wonder if I will see my wife once we finish breakfast. I imagine by the time I write tomorrow's update, my head will be spinning.

Each morning begins at 7:30 with the process of getting the day's credentials, followed by the California State Breakfast with a guest speaker. By 11, I should have my updates on the day's events, and then the frenzy begins.

The various interest groups who want to get their message to the delegates have four hours to compete for our attention before the convention starts.

Many delegates are longtime politicos -- there are district attorneys, mayors, city council members, staffers, etc. As a semi-retired engineer with all of eight months of campaign work under my belt, I'm not one of them.

I'm the new kid on the block, full of ideas and enthusiasm, but I don't envision myself as some power broker worthy of persuasion. I'm just a guy who was motivated and who happened to understand how to use the technology of the Obama campaign.

So, as this convention begins, there is one big question on my mind: What do I have to contribute to the traditional practice of political gatherings? Over the next few days, I hope to find out.