(Originally published in Greater Democracy)

“I’m sitting in the railway station, gotta ticket for my destination…”

For some reason, Simon and Garfunkel is going through my mind.

“Each town looks the same to me in shades of mediocrity …”

Today, I covered the first day of the Republican National Convention. There was a big protest and I know my way around New York a little better than I know my way around Boston, but other than that they were pretty similar.

“.. reminds me that I long to be, homeward bound… “

The protest was a lot of fun for me and I imagine a lot of other people, but I cannot help but wonder if my day would have been better spent door-knocking with Kim, or maybe going swimming with Kim and Fiona.

As I walked to the train station, I saw the full moon hanging over Time Square.

“Silent night, Holy night, all is calm, all is bright…”

There was a cookout at The Tank, and I spoke with people who believe it is going to be a landslide for Kerry. I sure hope so. But I asked them what made them think this when the polls were so even at this point.

“This is the early evening edition of the news.”

They talked about how close it was last time, and nobody who voted for Gore last time would vote for Bush this time, and how some Bush people were coming around and how there were going to be lots of new people voting for Kerry that just didn’t vote last time.

“Former Vice-President Richard Nixon says that unless there is a substantial increase in the present war effort in Viet nam, the U.S. should look forward to five more years of war “

They talked about all the young new voters who weren’t being counted in the polls, because they didn’t vote last time and no one counts young voters because they usually don’t vote.

“Round yon virgin, mother and child … “

My mind wandered to other discussions about how unless we work on getting out the vote of these newly registered voters, they are unlikely to make it to the polls, and how the Republicans are six times more effective organizing campuses than Democrats have been.

“And the waitresses practicing politics… “

Inside, several notable political consultants and bloggers talked about the Internet and blogs, and politics and the presidential election.

“.. as the businessmen slowly get stoned…”

How it is like the age of radio, but it is all new and completely different. I didn’t have anything to add, so I headed home.

I walked past fast food joints where protestors had a last quick hot dog before heading home, as others sat by themselves seemingly oblivious to the Republican Convention.

“… but it’s better than drinking alone …”

Maybe I’m cranky because I’m tired. Maybe I’m feeling out of place because I’m not a member of the inner echo chamber beltway crowd. Maybe I’m worried that all the protestors will feel satisfied with their day of protesting and writing about it online, but won’t get out and vote and get liked minded people to vote.

However, I cannot help but wonder what Thomas Jefferson would have thought of this group liberal bloggers or pamphleteers sitting in a performance space or tavern in New York City as the conservatives get ready to re-coronate their leader.

“Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.”