Carmen Amedori, 52, is a resident of Westminster and was a state delegate representing Carroll County from 1999 until 2004, when she was appointed to serve on the Maryland Parole Commission during the Ehrlich administration.
A Baltimore native and a graduate of Villa Julie College (now Stevenson University), Amedori worked as a paralegal and journalist while raising two daughters before entering the world of politics. She was one of the few elected officials in Maryland who supported John McCain when he ran for president in 2000 and was an alternate delegate at that year's convention.
Amedori has agreed to write a blog this week for The Baltimore Sun about her experiences. Here's an excerpt from her online diary:
Convention Day 1 - I woke up eager to get to the Xcel Center. But first we attended a luncheon with Pennsylvania, Virginia and Ohio delegations at the Circus Juventas circus school, for a wonderful performance by youngsters in a trapeze ballet. The event was scaled back, we were told, out of respect for the residents of the southern part of the country who were being ravaged by Hurricane Gustav. ...
Inside Xcel, the security is tight. It's wall-to-wall politicians and observers.
From a distance, I spy Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah across the room, but am unable to catch up before he disappears through another set of doors. My disappointment is short-lived as I am down on the floor of the convention and meet Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt. He asks about Governor Bob Ehrlich and his attendance. I state he is not expected, as he is very busy with work and family.
I am floor leader, so I have an assigned seat on the end of the row with a telephone attached to the seat in front of me. If the light blinks, it is my responsibility to answer it and forward onto the delegation any instructions that are relayed. I have no idea where the phone is connected or who will call or why. But I periodically look to see if there is blinking going on. ...
Last week, a Maryland delegate to the Democratic convention blogged for The Baltimore Sun.
