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Wesley Clarke was brave enough to go through the mob at the door so we saw him as the crowds parted to let him pass. He was treated to hand shakes, pats on the back and friendly greetings along the way.

I've never seen so many limos and really big stretch limos in my life. But with a $1,000 minimum to get into the all-they-could-eat barbecue democrat-unity bash, it was to be expected. The valet parking attendants were kept very busy all evening and parking was hard to find for blocks around the event. They were even bringing in groups of these monied democrats by bus.

Our permit was really for the south side of the street for the sidewalk from one end of the block to the other. Unfortunately, we did not realize that a large tent would be erected at the front of the building and the lines of people waiting to get in would be so wide and so long. The tent had tables set up for registration (to check off their name on the list of attendees and to find out what table they had for the dinner) and also contained security checkpoints. Because it was so crowded in front of the building, we opted not to be at the corner on the same side and set up our signs across the street directly opposite the front door. It was a very good location.

The building behind us housed the GAO and also housed the Army Corps of Engineers. Many people leaving the building stopped to talk to us and look at our signs. Several men, some in uniform, stopped to see what was going on and discuss some of their recent experiences in Iraq. It was extremely interesting to talk to people who were on the ground in Iraq and hear about actual conditions and what they had to deal with in the reconstruction of basic services that we in America take for granted.