If I Wanted Fluff ...

Our friend Lee is looking for some thoughts: In Kansas City next week, Hillary, Obama, McCain, Thompson and finally Bush is coming to speak at the VFW convention. I'm not a political reporter. Some editors refer to me as the "color" person.

I'm usually the one with the protestors outside, covering their comments and what they do.

I'm also the person who covers the human stories on the military. So, I proposed "embedding" with some of those folks listening to the political rhetoric. The ones who might mumble under their breath, or roll their eyes, or start clapping spontaneously.

I thought it might be kind of neat to put the readers right there too, to see what it's like to be within spitting distance of leaders.

The thing is, I've run up against some real naysayers at our paper. "People won't want to read that fluff," said one. Another said it was too much of a risk...what if no one says anything because Kansas Citians are known for their tight-lipped politeness?

I convinced them enough that they said I could do little glimpses for the internet, sort of a video word show, and if anything good comes out of it, they'll add it to the main story on what was said and the analysis of that. One editor even said: "If I wanted a fluffer I would have asked for it." (I smiled and told him I like to put mints on the pillows, too.)

But my gut is churning. This could bomb. Any suggestions? I've called a few Vietnam vets and some Iraqi vets who are active in the community and I asked to sit with them and let them vent. I also want to see for myself what it feels like to be in the same room. How much of a hassle you must go through with the security screenings and whatever. I thought about that story from Kennedy's funeral about the guy who actually dug the gravesite....

I think readers would like to know more of this, instead of the same hard-core analysis of a speech.

I'll stop now.