"Manhattan Mania"
POSTED BY MEGHAN
PHOTOS COPYRIGHT HEATHER BRAND
ON 05.08.08 7:10 AM

We spent Thursday in New York, starting our day bright and early at "Live with Regis and Kelly". We met Kelly's husband, Mark Consuelos, and watched Dad’s interview from the green room. After the show, we met the firemen at Firehouse 54 in midtown Manhattan and toured the station. It was a very cool experience. Dad wrapped up his NY media tour with an interview with Bill O’Reilly, host of "The O'Reilly Factor", and we watched Dad from yet another green room. We’re heading home for the weekend and will join the campaign on Monday for "Environmental Week". We’ll go on a hike in a National Park and Dad will address climate change issues around the country. I'm looking forward to it because I feel very passionate about climate change. We’ve put together a review of our green room experiences this week. Enjoy!

Green Room Review:

• "The Daily Show" - Best food with a candy basket, lots of drinks and pizza. Also the best aesthetically with cool couches and decorating. Negative: it's very small.
  
  
• "Live with Regis and Kelly" - Most official looking; it could have been a meeting room for the staff as well. Giant tray of pasteries and fruit (enough for a hockey team). Comfiest couches.
  
  
• "The O'Reilly Factor" – Hands-down winner for most original design. Very kitschy with orange walls and open theatre lights. And, we were able to see the famous "Colbert Report" microwave that was replaced when Stephen and his staff stole their old one during one of his visits. Negative: worst snacks.

In the green room before "Live with Regis and Kelly".

Dad speaking with Mark Consuelos about Kelly being named "Mom of the Year" by USA Today.

I met the show's Executive Producer Michael Gelman.

Dad chatted with him before the show.

Just hanging out.

Dad and a local TV anchor.

Visiting Firehouse 54 in New York City.

The trucks are very impressive.

The firehouse is straight up awesome.

Check out the gear.

Bringing pizza to the firemen.

A wall dedicated to the fallen firemen of 9/11.

In the station's kitchen.

Chatting it up.

These guys were all very cool.

Photo op.

Waiting for his interview with Bill O’Reilly.

Kicking back while watching Dad.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

"Michigan and New York"
POSTED BY MEGHAN
PHOTOS COPYRIGHT HEATHER BRAND
ON 05.08.08 6:13 AM

On Wednesday, we began the day with a townhall (old school style!) complete with protestors and some fans who were so excited, they started to cry. Townhalls are my dad’s favorite format of the campaign process. They're mine as well. It is the truest form of campaigning where the candidate interacts directly with voters. And no one does it better than my Dad. From Michigan we flew to New York where Dad appeared for the 13th time on “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart. Dad was very funny, as usual. My favorite part was when he pretended to walk off the show. Tomorrow, it's more interviews including “Live with Regis and Kelly” and “The O’Reilly Factor”. The campaign is getting bigger; my bond with Heather and Shannon has never been stronger; and, this experience has never been sweeter.

Song of the Day: "Voodoo Doll" by Fergie

Click on any photo to zoom and and see the full photograph.

Mom and Dad at the townhall this morning.

Sleeping kids are always cute.

Mom and Dad... :-)

Dad loves this format of campaigning.

This scene cracked us up.

The press at work.

View from the cheap seats.

Mom did an interview with Maeve Reston.

Having a quick chat with Mom and Dad.

I love my dad so much.

He's always telling jokes.

Rick Davis and I backstage at The Daily Show.

Rick is much funnier than people know.

I made him listen to some new tunes on my iPod.

The gift bag in the green room.

Pizza and candy backstage.

Jon Stewart stopped by to say hi.

Watching from the green room.

The show's opening part was really funny!

Watching Dad on the TV in the green room.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

"Wake Forest, Fred Thompson, Braids and P.F. Chang's"
POSTED BY MEGHAN
PHOTOS COPYRIGHT HEATHER BRAND
ON 05.07.08 7:30 AM

Today began with an event at Wake Forest where we were met by Fred Thompson and North Carolina Senator Burr and his lovely wife, Brooke. On our way to the next event, we thought it was a bit too quiet on the bus so we played some tunes to get everyone moving (Amy Winehouse and Diddy seemed to be the most popular). I was also feeling a bit too boring this morning so, inspired by some pics of Gwen Stefani, Shannon braided three thick braids in my hair (see pics below). From North Carolina we flew to Michigan for another finance event and then ended the day by going to P.F. Chang’s with Brett O’Donnell, Dad's debate coach who’s in charge of campaign messaging. (P.F. Chang's lettuce wraps rock my world...) Tomorrow we’re headed to my old stomping ground in NYC!!

Song of the Day: "You Know I'm No Good" by Amy Winehouse

Click on any photo to zoom and and see the full photograph.

Fred Thompson and the Straight Talk Express.

Shannon and Brett.

This guy at the hotel was a huge fan of the blog... we love our readers! Thank you for your support!

Moving and grooving.

Fred Thompson

Dad greeting some of the soldiers in attendance.

Chatting before the event.

Brett (debate coach), Duprey (campaign cruise director), and Charlie Black (rockstar).

We were in the Krispy Kreme capital of the country.

Duprey was psyched for the event.

Check out the crowd.

ANOTHER amazing fan of the blog!

Aren't these girls cute?

Dad signing autographs.

And meeting more people.

I was a bit tired this morning on the bus.

Back of the bus.

Then, Shannon braided some sick braids in my hair.

Look at the results!

Dante's back! (For our newer readers, he's the original best dressed reporter.)

Dad speaking at Wake Forest.

Fred Thompson

I really liked the backdrop.

Getting on the plane.

Talking with Mom and Dad.

Duprey bought these joke glasses and I was playing around with them.

And then Mom tried them on.

Sometimes I turn into a kid again where I don't want my Dad reading the paper and instead want him to hang out with me.

Those glasses on Duprey!

Shannon filming... all the livelong day.