Tunes, Beer Flow for Dems

The hospitality suite of Dem Gov. Jim Doyle featured a full bar, plenty of beer and Chicago-based rock band Lockwood.

The band welcomed the guv and his wife into their suite late Friday night with Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.” After shaking hands with staff and supporters, Doyle delivered a brief speech praising the upbeat and optimistic mood of the convo-goers. He concluded his remarks with some props for Lockwood -- singling out front man Sam Jackson -- who previously worked for the guv’s office before moving to Chicago with his band last year.

Partiers danced late into the night as Lockwood played some original material, as well as covers that included The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” and Outkast’s “Hey Ya.”

Still, the Dems kept it straightforward in their hospitality suites for the most part.

8th CD Dem Steve Kagen’s suite featured an ice cream sundae bar with assorted toppings. Jamie Wall, another 8th CD Dem, had a sparse room with Pabst Blue Ribbon on tap.

AG challenger Kathleen Falk offered La Crosse City Brewery beer to visitors. Incumbent Peg Lautenschlager had a pre-party before the convention got rolling.

One of the hospitality suites drawing the most attention was the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin room, which was lit with red lights and a movie projector rolling pro-PPAWI shorts. The tables were lined with packets of free condoms and KY lubricant, while volunteers handed out T-shirts reading I (heart) EC, i.e. emergency contraception.