Back on the campaign..

It's time to get back to work and win the election in November. One of my favorite places to go every year is the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival in Clarksburg. This is the festival's 30th Anniversary. My mother is from Clarksburg and is 100% Italian. The festival is a great opportunity to get a taste of Italy right here in West Virginia. And yes, it's also a chance to campaign and talk one-on-one to voters. Here, I'm chatting with a friend of my mother's. They went to school together in Clarksburg.

Of course, I love the festival for a few other things too.....friendship, food and fun. It continues tomorrow so take a trip and enjoy the weekend.

Convention Wrap

We head out from Denver in the early morning, but wanted to give you some field level photos from the West Virginia delegation. Enjoy!

More Convention Activities

Wednesday was such a great night filled with anticipation, uncertainty and excitement. Even though Hillary Clinton had released her delegates and she voted for Obama herself, it was still uncertain how many people would vote for her. But her Nomination Acclamation really brought the party together. And it was such an exciting way that it turned out with her appearing with the New York delegation.

It's on to Thursday now and already I have had three radio interviews, one on Howard Monroe's show in Wheeling, one with Jean Dean in Huntington and Erik and I were on MetroNews with Hoppy Kercheval on Talkline.

Here we preparing to talk to Hoppy Kercheval with MetroNews Talkline. He was been stationed on Radio Row interviewing both state and national figures.

Hoppy interviewing Tom Vogel who was the Executive Director of the State Democratic Party and now the State Director for the Obama/Biden Campaign in West Virginia. There will be 22 people hired in West Virginia to work on the campaign. There will also be several offices open state wide for the presidential campaign.

Also with Tom is Wood County Democratic Executive Chairman Walt Auvil.

Hoppy is interviewing ABC Radio's Ann Compton. I met Ann and was on a story with her when I was an intern at ABC News in London during the summer of 1991. She didn't remember me and really didn't seem interested only to say that I had a good memory. I didn't even get a chance to tell her that I was running for Secretary of State. Oh well, I guess I won't be getting her vote!

Senator Rockefeller addresses the convention

Senator Rockefeller, who is the chairman of the Senate's Intelligence Committee, addressed the convention on national security.

Rockefeller said from his seat on the committee he knows first hand there is a serious threat against our nation. And the only person capable of addressing that threat is Senator Barack Obama.

The most moving part in the early hours of the convention was when Senator Hillary Clinton asked that Senator Barack Obama's name be placed in nomination by acclamation.

Third Congressional District delegate Mary Pearl Compton, in her sixth convention, said she has never witnessed such a moving moment.

The convention hall erupted in applause as unity and purposes were clear. A united party dedicated to winning the White House in November.

Roane County resident Ann Hapney celebrates with Delegates Jim Humphreys and State Senator Jon Blair Hunter celebrate during the convention.

Convention Hall Fun

Convention fun with Wood County Democrats Walt Auvil and Jean Grapes leading the way as we have a break during the convention floor activites. The West Virginia Delegation, including Senator Rockefeller has enjoyed sitting together and enjoying the fun.

Governor Manchin Behind the Scenes

Have you ever wondered what takes place before a speaker at the convention goes before the delegates and the entire nation?

We got a first hand look today. Ironically, Erik and I were standing near the media area eating free ice cream that was being given out by CNN. Gov. Manchin walked by and we asked him if he were ready for his speech. He said he was on his way to get ready and he told us to come along.

Below is the Gov asking John (who ran the entire back scene operation) if we could come along.

Now John may have a look on his face that says, "Should I even trust you two?" But he was INCREDIBLY helpful. First stop was to make our way to make-up.

From make-up it was to the holding room. This is the room where speakers were escorted to prior to going on stage.

It's also the last few minutes that have to go over their remarks one last time. Gov. Manchin looks over his speech as a live feed from the convention plays on the screen behind the Governor.

Game time for the Governor as he addresses the nation.

It was a great evening to showcase West Virginia and our delegates. On Wednesday, Sen. Jay Rockefeller will address the convention.

It was also a great evening and great speech by Sen. Hillary Clinton. On Wednesday, her delegates will have a reception with the Senator. I'll post as soon as the meeting is over to let you know what took place.

Here's a photograph of where our delegation is seated in the Pepsi Center. Yes...they are not great seats, but we are able to move around throughout the facility.






Shelby Leary of Monongalia County was the hit during the first night. She had media all over her because of her patriotic outfit.








WV Democrat Party Chairman Nick Casey stands next to a sign at the entrance of Monday's night reception sponsored by the Democratic National Governor's Assocaiton of which, Gov. Joe Manchin is the chair.









Inside the DGA event, Gov. Joe Manchin talks to State Senator Jeff Kessler and Ohio Governor Ted Strickland.

Views from the Convention

It was a jam packed day on Monday and I wanted to share some of the images from the point of view of the West Virginia participants.





State Senator Jon Blair Hunter ready for the the speeches to start on the convention floor. Senator Hunters is leading the efforts of the Veterans for Obama in WV.

I'll have more in a couple hours. I have to run to the WV Delegation Caucus.

West Virginia in Play!

The word is out that some major media networks are now putting West Virginia in play. Many thought that Barack Obama would not win the our state, but now there is new resurgence in the campaign.

On Sunday, as I said in an earlier blog, the WV delegation visited Red Rocks. There I had a chance to speak with Tom Vogel, the executive director of WV's Democrat Party.

The interview is below.

Hello from Denver

Sunday was a day filled with excitement and anticipation as delegates from all over the country made their way to convention city, their home for the next couple of days.

One of the first memories for the West Virginia delegation will have to be the sight on the beautiful red rocks of Colorado. That's where we went for a reception and free concert sponsored by Dominion Gas. It's an outdoor amphitheater that uses the natural setting of the rocks for acoustics and inclusiveness.

Here is a picture of it prior to the concert featuring Sheryl Crowe, Dave Mathews Band and Sugarland.
That was certainly a great start, but the real work (and fun for us politicos) begins on Monday when state delegations begin their individual mornings meeting with caucuses. Then we gather all together for the start of the convention and Pepisco Center.

Blog Site Linked to Campaign Website

P.O. BOX 2545 ● CHARLESTON, WV 25329 ● PHONE 304-395-4491
www.natalietennant.com ● e-mail: natalietennant2008@verizon.net


For Immediate Release Contact: Natalie Tennant
August 23, 2008 304-395-4491
Natalietennant2008@verizon.net

Tennant to Video Blog While at Democratic National Convention

Charleston, W.Va. - Democrat Secretary of State Candidate Natalie Tennant will document some of the Democratic National Convention next week in Denver through her website.

Tennant and her husband, Erik Wells are delegates to the convention and will be producing video and print reports that can be viewed on http://www.natalietennant.com/.

“National conventions are a special time and a unique aspect of our political process. I want to show some of the events that take place at the convention and show some of the activities in which the West Virginia delegation will be participating,” Tennant said.

“The use of technology has given us the opportunity to communicate from far distances instantaneously and I think that my website is a great place to see a different angle of the convention.”

If elected in November, Tennant says she will use that same cutting edge technology in the Secretary of State’s Office to improve voter confidence and increase communication with election officials, businesses and the public.

Tennant will be available for media interviews during the convention.

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Welcome to my blog!

Thank you for checking out my blog.

Next week, I'll be attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver as a delegate. I'll be sharing some behind the scenes video, photos and insights of the convention and I want to know what you are interested in seeing or hearing.

This is your blog as well as mine. Feel free to leave messages. My only request is to be civil and refrain from any profanity. I don't expect everyone to agree with me or even vote for me, but there's no reason we can't treat everyone with respect.

Visit my campaign website -- www.natalietennant.com to view my commercials and ideas on improving voter confidence and turnout throughout West Virginia.

I hope to hear from you!

Natalie