It's a Condomvention!

OK, I admit it. I am a political geek. I like a good debate over policy and I am a sucker for a well delivered speech. However, the spectacle of the Democratic and Republican conventions is not lost on me. I am looking forward to the “show” and am interested to see the similarities and differences in the parties of Obama and McCain. So when a friend sent me an invitation to the Advocates for Youth Evolve America event sponsored by Trojan Condoms and Rolling Stone Magazine, I practically broke a finger typing an affirmative response to the invitation.

Tonight, the first night of the Democratic convention, will include earnest speeches about the future of country. Michelle Obama will tell delegates about her husband and the Obama dream for our nation. For a political junkie like me, this is exciting stuff. But, it is likely 8:00 p.m. will find me at the Sherman Street Event Complex Ballroom. Bill Maher is the featured speaker. Yet, I am more intrigued to see if there will be gift bags which are sure to serve as a solid start to scoring some good freebies for my friend Sheila.

We seldom admit it to others, but my wife and I still subscribe to Rolling Stone and I am curious to see who will show up for the Condoms Rock! event. Plus, I promised the Register I would write “compare and contrast pieces” between the Democratic and Republican conventions in this space. You have to admit it is a bit titillating trying to conceive of the Republican equivalent to an event that “calls on the American people to create change by personally pledging to use a condom every time.” A Democratic friend has suggested the GOP will have to respond with nothing less than the Dick Cheney Father Daughter Purity Dance, but that is probably unlikely. Whatever it is, I will be there next week.

Fear not, I will soak up the high minded rhetoric over at the convention hall. I just think I owe it to myself to at least peek in on the Condomvention. After all, the invitation was open to convention delegates, sexual health advocates, Rolling Stone readers and the presidential candidates themselves. Following last month’s cover story about the Jonas Brothers, Rolling Stone owes me.