Just got back from spending some time on the floor with the Utah delegation.

Utah?

I grew up there. It’s a personal thing.

While there, I spent an interesting few minutes with delegate Jim Bischoff. His story: He’s an intelligence office for the Special Forces, and was running for County Commissioner in Utah County when he was called up to Afghanistan. He spent four months there, during which the election took place.

He won.

His wife hit the stump, apparently … but really, who could vote against the Special Forces guy off defending his country? He’s on the floor after serving as an alternate for the past two conventions.

There was also this notable: Ann Coulter was, for some reason, sitting in the Utah delegation. I’m not engaging in star-gazing here … but if your curious for details, I might post ‘em in the comments.

Both experiences illustrate something unique about the political conventions. Both here and in Boston, you have the sense that you’re in this immense swirl of notable people and noteable stories. Anyone could literally be anyone. Who’s that guy sitting next to me? Oh … Terry MacAullife. Who was that that I just bumped into? Oh … Ann Coulter. It’s not about being near these people … I stopped being star-struck years ago. It’s about the close quarters and unpredictability. Be careful in the john … you might pee on Karl Rove’s shoes.

More striking to me, though, is the swirl of amazing stories from people who appear otherwise nondescript. You have to be special to get here, in some way: special in your passion for politics, special in your intellect, special in your work ethic. Jim Bischoff is a great example: just another delegate … who’s a Green Beret, and intelligence officer, and local politician who won his campaign from Afghanistan.

A big, political, swirl of colors, like bright paint mixed into a neutral base, these conventions … and the color, all around you, is unique, poignant, and special.

Being here, I know I must watch with eyes wide open.