In the Convention Hall During McCain’s Speech
We are sitting in the convention hall and so far 3 different protesters have unfurled signs and yelled at Sen. McCain, only to be drowned out by chants of “USA!” Honestly though, the audience seems very listless with only about 1/3rd standing during most applause lines. The loudest applause came when McCain said the words […]
Republicans Stepping Up and Falling in Line Behind Strong Ticket
After last night’s fireworks from the ad-libbing Rudy Giuliani and everyone’s new favorite star Sarah Palin, the Republicans in the Twin Cities are flying high. Paying no attention to the protestors amassing outside the police barricades, party loyalists are working themselves up to a fevered pitch in support of their candidate. The energy and excitement […]
A Few Thoughts from the Convention Floor
We’re here inside the XCel Center listening to the packed lineup of speakers at the RNC, and boy is it a night full of fireworks. One after another, Republican heavyweights are stepping up and knocking one-liners out of the park. Tonight is shaping up to be about conservatism, hard-hitting politics, and big-time campaigning for the […]
NIAC at the RNC: Day Two Begins!
Today’s events for us here in Minneapolis started with a presentation by The Israel Project on a new, but clearly flawed poll on Americans’ views of attacking Iran. For info about the poll, see our article here. Straight from there, we went to a reception put on by Human Rights First in which former National […]
NIAC at the Conventions Continued: The RNC
The DNC has come to a close. John McCain has chosen Alaska’s Governor Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential nominee. Half of Washington has just returned from Denver, while the other half is gathered in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. And with that, the RNC is just beginning. NIAC’s Assistant Legislative […]
Kerry to be the next Biden?
You probably noticed that Massachusetts Senator John Kerry had a pretty public role at the convention. This is not only because he was the democratic presidential nominee last time around, it’s also because he’s positioned to be the dem’s next foreign policy authority in Congress.
The Most Popular Kid…or a Has Been?
The United States is in horrible shape and is in dire need of some serious leadership. Whoever the next president is, they would have to crawl out of a hole to ground level before reaching the sky. At least that was the message to the 500 diplomats from 100 countries and 760 students from 12 […]
Obama speech not open to everyone
Its a little past noon, and I’m on my way to Invesco Stadium to get in line to see Obama’s speech tonight. Contrary to what the candidate proclaimed during his surprise appearance at the convention on Wednesday, the event is only quasi-open to the public. While 75,000 tickets have been made available, I’ve talked to […]
Do you know your neighbor?
Last night, NIAC held an informal meet and greet where members of the community were welcomed to come by to meet NIAC staff and ask questions and discuss any issues on their mind. Between the hours of 7-9 pm, Iranian-American Denver residents dropped in at their own convenience to say hello and talk politics. During […]
To be or not to be: what is your identity?
Soldiers crowding the streets, strapped with imaginary guns, make their way through the city as they reenact combat as if they are on the streets of Baghdad. Military veterans from Iraq are only few of the many groups in Denver, here to make a statement. Everybody here has a message, whether in suits and in […]
Yallah, Vote!
“I am Persian, like the cat, meow!” And the crowd already rolling with laughter breaks out in an even louder burst of hilarity. Just a few hours before, Michelle Obama delivered an inspirational speech formally kicking off the Democratic National Convention, speaking of “belief in America’s promise, [and] commitment to our children’s future.” A harder […]
NIAC covers the Democratic and Republican conventions for the Iranian-American community!
NIAC Legislative Director Emily Blout and West Coast Director Sara Shokravi will cover the Democratic National Convention in Denver for the Iranian-American community. From Denver, they will report on the week’s events and meet with NIAC members, local and national organizations and elected officials. Throughout the proceedings, NIAC will present an Iranian-American perspective through daily […]