John Kerry made it through a tough primary season to arrive at the top of the Democrats’ heap and, with John Edwards sharing the ticket, his party made his nomination big news. From July 26 through 30, Mark Urycki traveled along with the Ohio delegation to the Democratic National Convention in Boston. Look below for links to the stories he filed, pictures, and additional tidbits.
Follow events as they happened with reports from Mark Urycki direct from the Democratic National Convention in Boston.
Follow events as they happen with reports from Mark Urycki direct from the Democratic National Convention in Boston.
More From Mark
Insights and images from the DNC
Convention day 4
(July 30, 2004)
Every morning at their hotel, delegates found stacks of newspapers and magazines outside their door. More were available for free in the lobby. Being well read was not a problem.
Every day at the Ohio delegation's hotel an array of authors showed up with books to sign. Al Franken, E.J. Dionne, Paul Begala, Donna Brazile, Jim Hightower, Robert Reich, James Carville, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. among others.
Author David Brock GAVE AWAY copies of his new book "The Republican Noise Machine"
Caucuses of all types are held at the hotel.
This is just weird. For the Seniors Caucus a John Kerry pillbox
Teresa Heinz Kerry spoke at the Women's Caucus
Comedians like Democrats, because it gives them good material? Jerry Stiller
Want to put on a national convention? Start with 14,000 volunteers. They came from Boston and other cities and worked long hours for free. The reason why the convention ran so smoothly.
The convention went smoothly until the police went crazy. Just before Kerry's acceptance speech police put the Fleet Center in lockdown. They couldn't be bothered with explaining this to any of the delegates, reporters, or workers, though. As people went outside for for a smoke - or even approached the doors, they were told to keep going and not come back until Kerry's speech was well over.
Midway through the speech police allowed people into the back concourse on one level of the Fleet Center. Delegates and reporters huddled around a TV to watch the speech.
And then the party started. Yet they never played "Happy Days Are Here Again."
Posted by Mark Urycki at 03:35 AM
Convention Day 3
(July 29, 2004)
Lots of celebrities have been spotted around the Ohio Delegation's hotel. Ben Affleck spoke there and John Cusack was in the vicinity. Is that the White House Director of Communications Toby Ziegler? Or actor Richard Shiff?
Cleveland's candidate for President, Dennis Kucinich addressed the convention to a rousing reception. 
Hillary Rodham Clinton made waves wherever she went
Vermont Governor Howard Dean agrees to an impromptu press conference in the outer concourse of the Fleet Center where only reporters and staff roam.
Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman was the second person to officially nominate John Kerry
Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell at the hotel had to stand to eat her breakfast because reporters kept interrupting. But I did apologize
Former HUD secretary Henry Cisneros told the Ohio Delegation at breakfast that their state was a microcosm of the country.
State Senator Marc Dann of Trumbull County held an impromptu caucus in the hotel lounge about campaign scandals among Republicans in state government.
Posted by Mark Urycki at 01:49 AM
More from the Convention
(July 28, 2004)
Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic was well received in his remarks to the Convention. As the President of the U. S. Conference of Mayors he called for investment in America's cities.
The Ohio Delegation listens to Ted Kennedy speak.
In the Ohio group that's former U.S. Treasurer Mary Ellen Withrow in blue. Would it be too cheesy to ask her to sign my dollar bill? I mean, again.
What is it with the hats?
The Senator from New York joins her state delegation.
One of the common sayings here, besides "Redefeat George W. Bush" and " Outsource George W. Bush" is "Give George W. Bush the pink slip."
Commerce is Commerce. This is why they tell politicians to never wear hats.
Political buttons, the envy of Ohio Public Radio's Bill Cohen.
Posted by Mark Urycki at 01:06 AM
Convention Day 2
(July 27, 2004)
WKSU's Kevin Niedermier will cover the Republican National Convention in New York but he was spotted outside the Ohio Delegation's hotel.
Go Johnny Go. The chosen rock song theme for the John Kerry/John Edwards is Chuck Beery's "Johnny B. Goode." In the concourse of the Fleet Center a photo exhibition shows the life of John Kerry in pictures - another attempt to explain the background of a man still not well known by Americans.
John Kerry was the bass player for "The Electras."
With two other "Johns"
Posted by Mark Urycki at 07:14 PM
Convention Day 1
(July 27, 2004)
The Democratic National Convention kicked off in earnest for the Ohio Delegation on Monday with a breakfast sponsored by Ohio Congressman Ted Strickland. Strickland is considering a run for governor and has the tote bags ready.
A surprise guest at the breakfast was actor Richard Dreyfuss.
One person not a surprise was Cincinnati delegate Jerry Springer
At the Fleet Center people without credentials stay in a holding pen and denounce Democrats for the treatment
The DNC is apparently brought to you by Bud Light
Inside the Fleet Center guerilla film maker Michael Moore suffers the indignity of an ambush interview
Al Franken may have a message for Dick Cheney
Franken and Moore square off for a "floor fight"
Cleveland Congressman Stephanie Tubbs Jones addresses the convention
The Ohio delegates sit up near the podium where reporters can annoy them
Posted by Mark Urycki at 03:02 AM
Bill Clinton Pleases Dems
(July 25, 2004)
Former President Bill Clinton signed about 1000 copies of his autobiography "My Life" at a Barnes and Noble bookstore near the Ohio Delegation's hotel. He was treated like a rock star by fans who waited for hours to get in line.
The Ohio Delegation's big kick-off party on Sunday was canceled due to fears that the Boston police would picket the site over contract issues with the city. The Cops settled but then the Democrats, America's labor party, were afraid the Boston firefighters might picket. They had to find entertainment elsewhere. Sunday night many delegates watched the Boston Pops play outside near city hall, others could see free Skakespeare on the Boston Common - Much Ado About Nothing.
The Security is so tight that barriers have been erected between the Sheraton and Hilton hotels where several state delagations are housed. These are miles away from the Fleet Center, the convention site.
The American Presidential election is the world's most important election. A march around the Sheraton Hotel, where the Ohio delegation was housed, took place on Sunday. The group wanted to call attention to the Chinese government's treatment of followers of the Falun Gong religion.
Posted by Mark Urycki at 11:38 PM
