DNC Diary: Rocking in the Great Outdoors, Michelle Preview, and Unplugging and Recharging at the Oasis

The party got started early last night, with a fabulous concert at the Red Rocks amphitheater put together by Laurie David. Called Green Sunday at Red Rock, the show featured hot sets by Sheryl Crow, Sugarland, and Dave Matthews, and speeches about the environment by Laurie, Van Jones, Tim Kaine, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, sustainable architecture innovator William McDonough, and Bobby Kennedy, Jr. And as remarkable as the performers and speakers were, the setting was even more spectacular. Words can't do it justice. If you ever get the chance to see a show there, say yes as fast as you can. (One interesting note: RFK, Jr. pointed out that the amphitheater had originally been put together with the assistance of the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Work Projects Administration (WPA), a glorious symbol of the kind of things that can get done when an administration is focused on using public spaces to serve the people, not help cronies turn a fast buck.)

This morning I had breakfast with Valerie Jarrett, Michelle and Barack Obama's close friend and a senior advisor on the campaign. She was with her daughter Laura, who is a second-year student at Harvard Law. They had flown in yesterday with Michelle and the kids and heard her practice her speech -- which they described as very personal and very emotional. The introductory video is narrated by Michelle's mother, who Valerie says regularly pinches herself and says, "I can't believe that's my little girl." Valerie, who had been in the background for much of the campaign, is now doing a lot more press -- by 7:45 when I met her, she had already done the morning show rounds.

The HuffPost Oasis has become a must-visit destination for harried conventioneers and members of the media. More than once we've seen visitors walk in with stress etched on their faces and walk out loose-limbed, smiling, and clearly recharged. When I left the Oasis this afternoon, one high-powered magazine editor was slumping contentedly on the coach. "I've gotten two massages and taken an incredible yoga class," he said. "I can't seem to leave the Oasis."

He's not the only one.

Follow Arianna Huffington on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ariannahuff

Comments

[genia]

Red Rocks.....­is breathtaki­ng.....at sunset...w­ith the sounds of the Dave Matthews Band in the air..on a warm summer night.....­ohhhhhhhhh

[Markvli]

Why is MSNBC sitting outside the convention (the most liberal leaning station in the MSM) and CNN and Fox are sitting inside the convention­??????????­?

[Lolly55]

Wow, Arianna can afford the big parites...­what about people with fixed incomes who can barely afford to drive to work...ver­y much an insiders site with big names...tr­y to hear from people who live it and know

[Markvli]

I wish someone would put the DNC back in the bag and bring out the Obama campaign. This convention is an abject disaster. It needs to reach out to independents and undecided Republicans - instead its a party for the party - and not appealing to anyone else. The Obama campaign, on the other hand, is. But this isn't their show - it's the DNCs. And we're all to familiar with how the DNC runs a show - we need only look back a few feet to the Michigan/Florida meetings which looked more like a passive aggressive attempt to derail an otherwise smooth running operation towards the Presidency for the Democrats.

[Lolly55]

Don't know where to comment, tried the Obama web site....wi­ll try this...whe­n will Michele become a contributor to society...­she has taken as a high paid employee of a hospital..­.at what point does she give to society...­I don't see her as a giver

[transparent]

Somebody needs to remind MSNBC that this convention is about Obama, not Clinton.

[PQuince]

The media decided on a storyline before they arrived: how can Obama win over the Clinton voters?
This is NOT the story nor the question.
The question is "how can Obama explain that John McCain represents a disastrous continuation of the policies of the last eight years AND THEN SOME."
What is Hillary's task? To attack McCain (not to win over her supporters).
When asked about Hillary Clinton, the only answer should be: she is aware, as are we all what a disaster John McCain would be, advocating warlike policies, outmoded economic policies, and no concern for the average American.
McCain McCain McCain.
Not "healing" -- we don't need to heal. We need to attack.
Tell the media to stop flogging a story which doesn't exist and insist that they cover the story that does exist: McCain.
Anyone else agere with me on this?

[karenworks]

I agree with pquince. When is the media going to cover the stuff that matters - the economy, the Supreme Court, the Iraq War? Enough of Hillary already. It's time to show the country who McCain really is - more of Bush.

[QueenCeleste]

HuffPost's Pick

The HuffPost Oasis is a briliant idea. Wouldn't it be great if all businesses, big and small, had some version of it? What a difference that would make to workers.

You describe the convention doings like no one else, and I will look forward to your missives from the floor. And I hope you be sure to visit your oasis regularly!

[Ohg]

I am excited about the opportunity for the country to see Michelle Obama - many of us are political junkies and have been following this lady for some time......­..........­.
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/08/26/michelle-obama-for-first-lady/