Hey Newton Dems! I’m at the State Convention in Springfield as a delegate for Newton’s Ward 8. I’ll try and keep this updated throughout the day, but I don't know how often I'll be able to.

7:52 AM: Just arrived at the convention, and I’m immediately approached by a LaRouche guy looking for a signature on a petition... I passed on that. I suppose he was articulate, but he lost me pretty quickly when he started comparing the policies of Obama and Hitler – on healthcare.

It looks like there are at least a hundred people standing outside holding up signs for Deval. There are also a lot of very large Coakley signs around. The Deval signs seem a little premature to me, but he’s organized a lot of support here.

8:20 AM: Right now I’m at a breakfast hosted by the AFL-CIO and Bill Galvin. Most of the convention stuff won’t really begin for a couple more hours. Right now, I’m just drinking coffee and trying to avoid the people who are trying to get me to sign their petitions.

8:45 AM: Bob Haynes, the head of the AFL-CIO, has stepped up to speak. He’s encouraging delegates to sign an amendment to strengthen the labor plank of the party’s platform. He called the current economic climate a crisis and said, “We’re in favor of paying our fair share – something like a progressive income tax or a gas tax.”

Secretary of State Bill Galvin: “We have seen our economy in a freefall.” He said it’s not enough for the Democratic Party to win elections, or say they stand up for the people. He said the party needs to start doing something and taking action.

9 AM: A lot of State Reps are at the labor breakfast - I haven’t seen any from Newton though.

Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo made a speech and so did Lt. Governor Tim Murray – evidently the labor room is a popular place.

Attorney general Martha Coakley stood up and spoke for about 30 seconds, but received the loudest applause. She cracked a joke about her laryngitis - she’s got no voice just like the labor movement – and basically said ‘yes’ on Free Choice Act and health care for everyone.