Well, my alarm went off at 4:45 and at 5:00 we were on the road to Miami's Parrot Jungle to have breakfast with Hillary Clinton. Picked up six people and two cars who followed us, and got to the PJ Ballroom with time to spare. Everyone was dressed very nicely, some even in evening cocktail attire. I wore a nice pant suit (no, did not wear a blue dress as frank and beans suggested I should do yesterday .

The tables were lovely and we were served coffee and juice and eggs, sausage and homefries. Danish and croissants and rolls were on the table. I don't know how many people the ballroom seats, but think enough tables for a large event such as a business convention. The room was full to capacity. I asked my county chairperson why the tickets were only $100 as many of these events are much more expensive, and she said that Hillary does three speeches per day when in a large town, breakfast being the "cheap seats" and lunch and dinner going up to the max amount per donation.

Hillary arrived shortly after everyone had eaten with a brief introduction by one of the sponsors. She was dressed in a salmon pink colored pant suit with matching earrings and looked dazzling. Rested and refreshed and smiling.

Her speech was about twenty minutes long, warm and chatty and without that mannish drony tv voice. It was sprinkled with annecdotes and humor and just the right amount of political rah rah-ness. She mentioned that after the mess Bush and Cheney left in eight years what the country needed was a good cleaning woman. That brought a lot of laughs. Afterward there was a great crowd around her shaking hands and getting pictures, so we didn't even attempt it. I got some good pictures during the speech as we were only three tables back from her.

Still don't know who will be my first pick, but I was very nicely impressed by her intelligence and carriage. So that's it, for all those who asked for a report today.

Nice report, but I think they'll be looking for it in the lounge...

Glad you had a great time. In 1994, I got the political bug and worked for a local congressional candidate. The best part was being about to go to these type of functions and meet all types of politicians.

I haven't decided who I am supporting yet(waiting to see who burns out first) but I hope people take advantage of opportunities to meet and/or hear the candidates.

Yes, sorry, copied to lounge. Yawn...not used to getting up at five.

Sorry, Dottee but "mannish drony TV voice?"

Oh, Dukey, I hate those people who do the surveys and tell the candidates that they have to act or talk in a certain way. Hillary has lately adopted this "masculine" way of speaking during the debates because their "surveys" shows that the normal female voice comes across as shrill. Hillary has a lovely normal speaking voice and I think she should just listen to her own instincts.

Thanks Dottee... I am curious to see how things work out in this election, too.

Dottee, How exciting!

I think those advisers also tell her to use a southern accent too. I say to myself, "That sounds fake."

It's so cool that you got to see and hear her in person. I admire her so much. You should post your pics so we can see them.

Last prez campaign, I met John Edwards (actually just said a very quick hello to) at a speaking event. I was so excited.

Hillary is shrill no matter what kind of voice she uses - of which she seems to have many.

I got to meet (and/or photograph) John Edwards three times during the 2004 campaign. The last time was the day before election day - I was in Cincinnati helping out at the campaign office, and he kind of stopped in to thank us and shake hands. It was pretty cool, he didn't stay long but there were no cameras with him. He was just chatting with us, thanking us, putting his hand on your shoulder as you were typing on your computer, etc. (We were doing data entry and computer work.) It meant a lot to the workers there.

How fun Dottee!