Cheesesteaks In The Whirlwind
Greetings from Philadelphia! I have just eaten a Geno's cheesesteak after a busy day getting ready for the Democratic National Convention to start, and I finally have some time to sit down and share a few preliminary thoughts.
First: there are disagreements between fellow party members, and then there are bitter knock-down drag-out family fights. Earlier today, I headed to the famous "cheesesteak corner" where two of the most famous of these establishments sit across the street from each other. As I pulled up, a magical parking space appeared in front of Geno's, so I took it as a sign from the culinary gods and pulled in and bought "two, Provolone, with." Later in the day, I saw Elizabeth Warren had tweeted a photo eating a cheesesteak across the street, at Pat's. Do I think any the less of her? No, and I hope she would return the favor. Minor differences of opinion matter little, in the long run. But the difference between Bernie supporters and those who favored Hillary Clinton go a lot deeper than which cholesterol-laden treat to enjoy. We're about to find out how deep those differences go, and whether they will be bridged this year. The Republicans struggled mightily to appear as united as possible last week, but in the end failed to do so. Will the Democrats also fail to convincingly sell the idea of party unity, even with Debbie Wasserman Schultz out as the party's head? That remains to be seen.
But before we get to all of that, a general observation is in order. Attending a national political convention and trying to report on what's going on is a little like being caught up in a whirlwind. "Now I know how Dorothy felt," in other words. The entire time, no matter what you're doing, what you're watching, or where you are; you always have a sneaking suspicion that you're missing the real story -- that something bigger or more exciting is going on where you aren't. If you're inside the convention hall, you wonder what's going on outside with the protesters. If you're outside on the streets, you're worried that big news is happening inside the arena. If you take time to type up an article, you could be missing all sorts of things. And that's even before you get to the evening parties, where (of course) you're worried that there's a better party with bigger names happening at the pub down the street.
A good case in point was today. We arrived early to Philly, which turned out to be a great idea because it gave us a day to run around and get a feel for both the city, the nuts-and-bolts of the convention itself, and who is showing up to have their voices heard. We picked up our credentials, mingled with other members of the media, and checked out the Wells Fargo Arena and the media encampment. We even had time to wander around town a bit and see some local sights. And then while we were driving back to our hotel, the news broke that the head of the Democratic National Committee was stepping down. No matter how prepared you think you are, there are always other things going on, in other words.
There was plenty of news being made even while we were traveling. The Wikileaks story broke just before we left, Hillary Clinton chose Tim Kaine as her running mate, and while we were in the air (or perhaps hassling with the nightmare scene at the car rental counter) it seems Bernie Sanders made more progress reforming the Democratic Party. There will be a new commission which -- after the election is over -- will re-examine the entire concept of "superdelegates" and change the way their votes count for the next presidential election. All superdelegates except governors and members of Congress may, in 2020, be bound by the primary vote in their respective states. This would be a big step in the right direction, but we'll see what actually happens (as opposed to what is merely a proposal, at this point).
This morning, we woke up and watched a few of the Sunday morning shows. The big news at that point was that Debbie Wasserman Schultz would not be giving a speech at the convention. This was stunning enough -- after all, she's going to have to appear at certain points to gavel the proceedings, since she is the titular head of the party. But the head of the party is also usually expected to address the convention -- as indeed Reince Priebus did in Cleveland.
This was chalked up to the impact of the Wikileaks story, which pretty plainly showed that the Democratic National Committee was (as everyone had suspected all along) pretty much in the tank for Hillary from the get-go. No real surprise there. There was some scandalous bantering back and forth, but it could have been a lot worse. The story broke before the weekend, and obviously the optics of Debbie Wasserman Schultz appearing onstage while a large portion of the audience booed her (or otherwise made their disapproval obvious) were so worrisome that she decided not to even attempt a speech to the assembled delegates.
However, one has to wonder what happened between the announcement that D.W.S. wouldn't be speaking and her resignation. Was it not enough for the Bernie delegates? Were they still planning on disrupting the proceedings in a major way? Or -- and this is entirely speculative -- was there another shoe that had yet to drop? Were there other emails that were even more scandalous that haven't yet been publicly released? These questions may never adequately be answered, but these are the things I am personally wondering about, after hearing tonight's shocking news.
I have no idea how unprecedented it is for a party's leader to step down the night before the biggest partisan event in every four-year cycle, but I certainly can't remember anything like it happening in modern American political history. If it needed to happen (for reasons that are already public, or for reasons we don't even yet know), then the earlier it happened the better, speaking in terms of the party itself and Hillary Clinton's chances in November to lead a unified party to victory. Having this fester during the convention -- complete with scenes like those witnessed during Ted Cruz's recent speech -- would have been a lot worse than grasping the nettle before the convention is even begun.
Will it be enough for Bernie's supporters? Bernie Sanders has done a remarkable job of following through on his pledge to revolutionize the Democratic Party, even if you just examine what he's managed since the primary season ended. The changes in the platform he made fall into the category of big and bold ideas (rather than the milquetoast incrementalism they replaced). If he manages to fundamentally change the concept of superdelegates, it would represent the biggest changes to the Democrats' nominating process since the aftermath of the 1968 convention. And now he's got Debbie Wasserman Schultz's metaphorical scalp hanging on his wall. That's an impressive list, and it doesn't even count all the ways he forced Clinton towards truly Progressive positions during the primaries. But even so, it's hard to see that even the departure of D.W.S. is going to be enough to assuage the anger many Bernie supporters still feel -- many of whom are actual delegates.
Will there be chaos and division on the convention floor? Nobody, at this point, can really tell. Will it be bad enough that the media throw up their hands (as they so often prematurely do) and just proclaim "both parties now seem equally divided." The media loves political conflict, of course, because it sells newspapers. So far, according to the polls, Bernie supporters have shifted to supporting Hillary in greater numbers than Hillary supporters did back in 2008 with Barack Obama. But polls may not be accurately measuring the depth of this division. This may be especially true among young voters who got extremely excited about Bernie's campaign. It's pretty hard to see many of them deciding to support Trump, but at the same time it is awfully easy to see them deciding they have better things to do on Election Day than going to cast their vote.
Throughout the entire convention, I will be trying to get a feel for what the protesters are thinking, both inside and outside the arena. But tomorrow I'll mostly be concentrating on what is going on inside. Tomorrow's lineup seems designed to appeal to the Progressive wing of the party, so that's where my attention will be. Speakers will include Raul Grijalva, Keith Ellison, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders himself. Nobody, of course, has any idea what they'll say. The protests outside may be more interesting, since such a tempting lineup inside for Progressives may put the crowd in a very positive mood. But floor disruptions may occur earlier in the day, when votes on the rules and other normally-mundane convention business happen. The GOP convention certainly had some excitement in the early hours of the first day, and the Democrats may see some similar fireworks. Will the resignation of the Democratic Party leader and the tempting array of first-day speakers be enough to avoid such contentious scenes? We'll all have to wait and see what develops.
-- Chris Weigant
Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
That's two provolone wit'
(The h is silent)
I share mopshell's sentiment about dws's departure - good riddance. She is about as big a symbol of anti populist hubris as i can think of in the modern era.
Also. Don't forget to have fun! And if you have an evening free to roam i recommend manayunk in northwest Philly. The Dawson street pub was my favorite hangout back in grad school.
I don't think this will change anything in how Bernie addresses the DNC, because it truly is all moot at this point. The emails showed lots of the nastiness that comes with political campaigns, but didn't produce evidence of any actual misconduct that would have changed the outcome of the primaries. Bernie has, smartly, been given a lot of say in the helping put Clinton on the pulse of what progressives are expecting in exchange for their vote. He's done far more in directing Clinton's positions for her campaign than is typical for the second place finisher in a primary to have.
I haven't been following the leaks that closely but the email chain most of the articles I read focused on was about asking Sanders about his religion right before a couple of southern states primaries as a way to help Hillary. Well, did they ask? Talking smack on email is one thing but actions are louder than words. Though to a certain extent, neither Trump or Sanders should have expected to join a party purely to run for President and have that party welcome them with open arms and treat them the same as those who have been in the party for years or entire political careers. Being an independent does come with a cost no matter how close you are to that party.
So basically you will be reporting to us how much brotherly love is at the convention?
So far, according to the polls, Bernie supporters have shifted to supporting Hillary in greater numbers than Hillary supporters did back in 2008 with Barack Obama. But polls may not be accurately measuring the depth of this division.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/04/clinton.poll/
Or, they could be overstating the depth of the division, aided in spirit by a media that dreads the possibility of a convention without drama! Well, they've gotten plenty of drama today, brought to us by the team of Manafort and Putin.
Will the Democrats also fail to convincingly sell the idea of party unity, even with Debbie Wasserman Schultz out as the party's head? That remains to be seen.
I have no doubt.. :D
I mean, how can the Democrat Party preach "unity" after they just booted the head of the DNC?? :D
Michale
I don't think this will change anything in how Bernie addresses the DNC, because it truly is all moot at this point. The emails showed lots of the nastiness that comes with political campaigns, but didn't produce evidence of any actual misconduct that would have changed the outcome of the primaries.
Except for the fact that the DNC is supposed to be neutral, yet the emails prove they are clearly in the bag for Hillary..
Michale
I haven't been following the leaks that closely but the email chain most of the articles I read focused on was about asking Sanders about his religion right before a couple of southern states primaries as a way to help Hillary. Well, did they ask? Talking smack on email is one thing but actions are louder than words.
Actually, the news is a LOT more than the religion issue..
But, like Listen and everyone else, you miss the point.. It must be a Lefty thing...
Anyways, the point is that the DNC is supposed to be neutral in the primary..
The emails clearly PROVE beyond ANY doubt that the DNC was in the bag for Hillary.. And the co-ordination between the DNC and the Camp Hillary is unprecedented.. And the fact that the DNC was actively working against the Bernie campaign???
Bernie Bros are going to tear the house down... :D
Michale
Oh Balthasar????
Remember how you slammed me for calling Megan Kelly a bimbo??
Punto Negro –Punto Blanco©
May 18, 2016
Yes, Trumpet was right Megyn Kelly is a Bimbo
Apparently, it's good enough for the folks at the DNC...
I'll await your apology to me.. :D
Michale
We picked up our credentials, mingled with other members of the media, and checked out the Wells Fargo Arena and the media encampment.
Is it just me, or does anyone else get kinda bummed when saying things like "WELLS FARGO ARENA" or "QUICKEN LOANS CONVENTION CENTER"??
When I was growing up in La Mesa, I had found memories of JACK MURPHY STADIUM where I would go to see the Padres and the Chargers play..
I have been back home a couple times, but I refuse to say QUALCOMM STADIUM...
This is a sad sign of our times... :^/
Michale
This would be a big step in the right direction, but we'll see what actually happens (as opposed to what is merely a proposal, at this point).
You just HAVE to know that nothing will come of it.. Democrats are GREAT about making grandiose promises.. They never follow thru, though...
Or -- and this is entirely speculative -- was there another shoe that had yet to drop? Were there other emails that were even more scandalous that haven't yet been publicly released? These questions may never adequately be answered, but these are the things I am personally wondering about, after hearing tonight's shocking news.
Yep, yep.....
The DNC probably went thru all of their emails to see what got vacuum'ed up and gave a big and mighty OH SHIT!!!!
Do ya'all REALLY think it's a coincidence that this started a couple days BEFORE the Democrat Convention??
There is more coming down the road, you can bet on that..
And I couldn't be happier... All the mean and nasty and untrue things that ya'all (NEN) have said about the GOP and Trump?? It's all gonna come around and bite ya'all on the ass... :D
And now he's got Debbie Wasserman Schultz's metaphorical scalp hanging on his wall. That's an impressive list, and it doesn't even count all the ways he forced Clinton towards truly Progressive positions during the primaries.
Oh, com'on CW... Do you honestly believe that Hillary has TRULY changed her positions??
I imagine you may have been born at night, but I am certain it wasn't LAST night.. :D
But even so, it's hard to see that even the departure of D.W.S. is going to be enough to assuage the anger many Bernie supporters still feel -- many of whom are actual delegates.
Yep, yep, yep... That's what I have been saying since the emails broke..
Bernie and his supporters are PISSED... They have gone on and on during the primary how the DNC was rigging the system and how the DNC was in the bag for Hillary, only to be told by rank and file DNC'ers (and Weigantians) that they are delusional, that there is no conspiracy to push Hillary and hold back Bernie..
NOW they come to find out that everything that Bernie and his supporters have said was dead on ballz accurate and even understated...
In that, Bernie is kinda like me here in Weigantia.. I have been ridiculed for many of my positions, only to be proven dead on ballz accurate by the facts later..
So, I can relate to what Bernie is going thru...
Bernie and his Bros are going to make the Democrat Party pay.. And pay... And pay.... And pay.... And pay....
And I am going LOVERBOY all week...
"Lovin' every minute of it"
:D
Will the resignation of the Democratic Party leader and the tempting array of first-day speakers be enough to avoid such contentious scenes? We'll all have to wait and see what develops.
Pass the popcorn!! This is going to be more jam-packed with action than a John McTeirnan flick!! :D
"I do like jam"
-Vala, STARGATE SG-1
:D
Michale
https://o.twimg.com/2/proxy.jpg?t=HBhJaHR0cDovL3d3dy50aGVhbWVyaWNhbm1pcnJvci5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMTYvMDcvRE5DLWZlbmNlLmpwZxTgERSkCRwUhAYUlAMAABYAEgA&s=6X1d3f-2lTku_PUFV5HG-PGfgTguWYHw2cbsltaWCRw
But... But.... But.....
I thought the Democrat Party was all about building bridges, NOT building fences??? :D
You see that's the entire hypocrisy of the Democrat Party platform..
Fences and walls and security and protection are for us.. Not for the pheasants...
:D
Michale
Remember how you slammed me for calling Megan Kelly a bimbo? Apparently, it's good enough for the folks at the DNC...I'll await your apology to me.. :D
Only if I can call Trump a Bimbo - he's actually got a reputation. Or Manafort, there's a guy who would do anything for cash. Then there's Roger Ailes, who, I guess, pretty much defines the term "sexpot" (i.e., oversexed and potbellied). Pence looks a bit like a doll (a 60's-era G.I. Joe doll, to be exact), and doesn't, you know, have a reputation for overthinking much, if you know what I mean..
Fences and walls and security and protection are for us.. Not for the pheasants...
What have righties got against pheasants? If you're not hunting them with Supreme Court justices, you're shooting each other in the face to get to them.
But then y'all have been in fowl moods for a coupla years anyway...probably accounts for that cheery, upbeat acceptance speech the other night. :}
Only if I can call Trump a Bimbo - he's actually got a reputation.
Ya'all have called Trump a lot worse...
Have at it.. :D
But then y'all have been in fowl moods for a coupla years anyway...probably accounts for that cheery, upbeat acceptance speech the other night. :}
You mean the speech that over 76% of Americans agreed with and loved??
THAT speech?? :D
But, nice dodge on the hypocrisy of the Democrat Party... I know, I know.. There is no way to defend such blatant hypocrisy...
Sucks to be you.. :D
Michale
. Pence looks a bit like a doll (a 60's-era G.I. Joe doll, to be exact),
Ya ever notice how ya'all have NOTHING but personal appearance attacks against Right Wingers??
Maybe it's just me but the liberals of my youth would cut out their tongues because making negative cracks about how a person LOOKS.. Those liberals were often a pain in the ass, but at least I could respect them for their values and their integrity...
But it's obvious that so-called "liberals" today are just as mean and nasty and bigoted as they accuse the Right of being...
Michale
Bernie Sanders Supporters Chant ‘Lock Her Up’ in Philadelphia Protest Against Clinton
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/07/24/bernie-sanders-supporters-chant-lock-her-up-in-philadelphia-protest-against-clinton/
hehehehehehehehehehe
Yep... No dis-affection amongst the ranks of the Democrat Party...
It's ALL unity as far as the eye can see.. :D
Welcome, my fellow Weigantians.. Welcome to 1968.. :D
This is going to be a fun fun week..
Michale
Don't worry.. I'll keep ya'all on top of all the sordid details.. :D
Any one wanna LIVE blog with me?? :D
Michale
Ya'all made a big deal about how some important Republicans stayed away from the GOP convention..
Al Gore to skip Democratic convention
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/al-gore-democratic-convention-226101
Of course, when prominent Democrats stay away...???
{{chirrrrrpppp}} {{chirrrrrpppp}}
The hypocrisy is stifling.. :D
Michale
Brazile said there are likely "many thousands" of leaked emails still to come.
Hoo boy.... This is going to be awesome!!!! :D
Michale
Credit where credit is due.. :D
What have righties got against pheasants? If you're not hunting them with Supreme Court justices, you're shooting each other in the face to get to them.
But then y'all have been in fowl moods for a coupla years anyway...probably accounts for that cheery, upbeat acceptance speech the other night. :}
Nice play off my intentional use of 'pheasants' :D
Michale
This is uncanny...
http://www.reviewjournal.com/sites/default/files/styles/blogger/public/field/taxonomy/SteveSebelius.jpg?itok=0qJgNZMP
Who does that look like???
Michale
Breaking Poll=> Trump on Track to Win More Black Votes Than Any GOP Candidate Since 1960
Latino Support Upwards of 37%
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2016/06/trump-track-win-black-votes-republican-candidate-since-1960/
The writing is on the wall...
The truth is out there...
Hillary can't win...
Michale
Latino Support Upwards of 37%
Ya see, this is what ya'all don't get about Trump and latinos.. The only latinos who support Hillary are the criminals and those aid and abet criminals..
The legal hard working latinos, the ones that TRULY epitomize the American spirit and the American dream...
THOSE latinos are breaking for Trump and breaking in a BIG way...
Michale
Five days ago Ted Cruz was booed off the stage for telling people to vote their conscience. If Bernie says the same he will bring the house down. His conscience is telling him to vote for Hillary.
DWS has no conscience, but she could tell which way the wind is blowing.
The DNC is not supposed to be neutral; partisanship is in its name. It is no revelation that they supported the Democrat over the independent. The way they did it was not nice, but neither Bernie nor anyone else is surprised. For him the leaks were just an opportunity to get more of what he wants. He doesn't seem to have changed his mind on his endorsement of Hillary Clinton.
The DNC is not supposed to be neutral; partisanship is in its name. It is no revelation that they supported the Democrat over the independent.
I disagree.. The DNC *IS* supposed to be neutral.. It doesn't matter that Bernie was an Independent, he was RUNNING as a Democrat.. He was a DEMOCRAT candidate..
The DNC is supposed to be neutral..
The way they did it was not nice, but neither Bernie nor anyone else is surprised.
The problem here is that the DNC lied to everyone and attacked Bernie and his supporters for being conspiracy theory nut jobs..
THAT is the predominant issue here.. The neutrality of the DNC is secondary...
If the DNC had stuck with the facts and said, "Yea, yer right. We ARE in the bag for Hillary" then these emails wouldn't have meant diddley squat..
You know I am right... :D
He doesn't seem to have changed his mind on his endorsement of Hillary Clinton.
At least, not that he has let on.. :D
We'll know more at the end of the day.. :D
Michale
Ya know??
It just occurred to me..
This is CW's time to shine.. This is his moment.. He doesn't need me stealing the thunder.....
I am going to bow out for a while and let ya'all have yer moment.. :D
Michale
nypoet22 [1] -
See, I just knew someone out there would understand that cheesesteak order. Full disclosure: I looked up online the etiquette for ordering, because I knew it was a local esoteric art form -- one that gets you sneered at if you get it wrong (kind of like how the vendors in Chicago treat you when you order ketchup on your hot dog, which for some reason is considered juvenile there...).
I certainly can't fake a Philly accent, but at least I didn't get sneered at! I consider that a minor victory. Heh.
Thanks for the pub advice, too!
:-)
BashiBazouk [4] -
Yeah, every time I think of that whole "city of brotherly love" thing, I remember way back when the mayor dropped a bomb on the MOVE house. Love, indeed...
I did see the "LOVE" sculpture yesterday... when I was a kid, I didn't know the sculpture existed, I just knew about the design from one of the very first "LOVE" stamps (yes, I collected stamps at one point in my life...).
Michale [9] -
RE: Trump, bimbo... does anyone still use the term
"Mimbo", or was that just some Seinfeld-inspired fad? Inquiring minds want to know...
[10] -
Yeah, corporate naming bugs me no end, too. Another thing we agree on (heh, that was sarcasm). Seriously, though, I remember "Memorial Stadium" or "Veterans Stadium" or even "RFK Stadium". These names are all acceptable. "Pacific Bell Park" (and all the rest) make me retch.
OK, gotta run... press briefing to attend, then an interview to conduct... more later...
-CW
Yeah, corporate naming bugs me no end, too. Another thing we agree on (heh, that was sarcasm). Seriously, though, I remember "Memorial Stadium" or "Veterans Stadium" or even "RFK Stadium". These names are all acceptable. "Pacific Bell Park" (and all the rest) make me retch.
Yea, glad to see it's not just me...
How soon till we see AT&T STATUE OF LIBERTY or EXXON GRAND CANYON.. :^/
Michale
"Cheese Steaks in the Wind"...reminds me of an old Kansas album...all we are is cheese steaks in the wind. I'll leave that for Weird Al to flesh it out.
Director M. Night Shyamalan is a son of Philadelphia. If only M Night would do a mash-up of Hillary's It "Takes a Village" with M's "The Village?" - Like one of the short films they show between speakers during Not Prime Time.
I may well be the only person in the world who liked this movie, but the moods a good fit for this election cycle. A dark tale about a self-imposed anachronism. Some of the title tracks from the Newton James Newton Howard score are an uncanny match with 2016:
What Are You Asking Me?
The Bad Color
Will You Help Me?
I Cannot See His Color
The Vote
Rituals
Those We Don't Speak of
Race to Resting Rock
See YouTube
If Hillary Clinton loses this thing, DWS will deserve her fair share of the blame for that. I don't think I've ever seen anyone more tone deaf or more oblivious to the harm she is doing to Hillary's campaign and, consequently, to the future of the country.
Why on earth does the DNC chair not just hop on an express plane to Florida, yesterday!?
Unbelievable.
@liz [30],
for the same reason she approved republican-friendly gerrymandered districts in violation of citizen fair district initiatives that passed with over 60% voter support. irrespective of any greater good, she puts herself first, last and at every point in-between.
JL
Joshua,
I can't imagine that she still plans to open the convention.
Is there any way that the DNC can have Donna Brazille gavel the convention open and closed or do the rules make it necessary for DWS to do it?
If she HAS to do it, then she should just do that. Which should take less than 60 seconds and then she can hop on plane.
@liz,
we can hope, but i'm not holding my breath.
JL
Have fun Chris!
Re: DWS. As often happens people's downfalls end up occurring over something relatively minor compared to other acts/events. There were lots of reasons to dislike her -- this hack wasn't one of them. Indeed, it appears she put the kibosh on going after Bernie for his religious views. Meanwhile, if someone hacked Bernie's team's email I'll bet we'd see some pretty illuminating stuff about how they wanted to attack HRC. But, I grasp that's not the same thing because the DNC was supposed to be neutral. Still, in terms of timing and everything else, it's small beer. But trust the last-gaspers to continue the work of Vladimir Putin in trying to get Trump elected!
Please note: I understand we need more proof and it's quite possible Trump is merely a oblivious puppet versus any kind of sentient tool. Even so, the fact that he is financially dependent on Russian oligarchs is significant.
Michale's crickets continue. OK with him that his guy became so toxic to American banks he had to go to Russia to get money -- and how do Russian oligarchs make their dough? Doesn't bother Michale. Coz somewhere in all that is the "brilliant businessman" he so admires.
Sad.
The story is showing legs. It should.
From The Atlantic: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/07/the-muscovite-candidate/492884/
Paula,
This isn't about the hack or about the emails that have been released showing, frankly, what shouldn't surprise anyone, least of all Bernie and his supporters.
Would a more even-handed DNC made the difference for Senator Sanders and his campaign? No, it wouldn't have. The primary results make that clear enough.
No, the point here is that DWS seemingly doesn't understand when to go or how to go or how to put the party and country first. Why do you think this is still a story ... a story that should have ended yesterday? Because DWS is still here and still, evidently, planning to gavel open the convention.
Proving once again that it doesn't matter what the issue is or how "small beer" it is, it's all about how the issue is managed. In this case, President Obama, Secretary Clinton and DWS have all managed poorly.
[36] Don't disagree that DSW should leave.
Not surprising. :)
But, the problem remains that she is not leaving soon enough to avoid great harm - to herself, to her party and to her country.
And, THAT is decidedly NOT "small beer".
Just to be clear ...
Would Senator Sanders be a good choice to replace DWS?
[40] Sanders has not shown himself to be an administrative type. I don't think he'd want the job either.
Wouldn't DNC chair be a great spot from which to continue the revolution. I mean, he could change the role of DNC chair from administrative to a more active role in transforming the Democratic party and country at large.
An announcement of this sort might go a long way toward making many of his supporters understand that they are living in the real world and they much move forward realistically.
... must move ... :)
Hey, it looks like DWS will not speak at all at the convention. She intends, apparently, to remain there, hidden in the background. She never learns.
[42] Wouldn't DNC chair be a great spot from which to continue the revolution.
Sure, in theory. Bernie just has never shown himself to be the kind of person who wants to do that kind of thing, It's administrative. Not his cup of tea.
Am I being that unclear?
Bernie could change the role of the DNC and make it more transformative and supportive of the kind of revolution that your country needs.
I get that he's not the administrative type.
Or, don't you think that the DNC can be changed? Why couldn't it change and not be such an administrative body or administrative at all? I mean, stranger things have already happened and are happening!
[45] I'm just saying that if Bernie doesn't have the interest or aptitude it doesn't matter. Did it ever come up? Did he ever express interest in doing it? I don't know. Do you? For me it's a hypothetical question at best.
Can the DNC be changed? Howard Dean did an extremely effective 50-state strategy in 2006. It can be done. I was really angry when he was replaced. But that's old news. Sure it can be changed. It may be that at this moment in time people are preoccupied with other matters. They'll sort it out.
Trump has gotten a bounce from Cleveland. You can see it in the latest national polls (Trump has taken a small lead), and you can see it in the prediction markets (Betfair and Predict it) where Trump has closed the gap a bit, but remains the underdog). You can also see a bounce in the Meta Analyses such as 538 where Trump has actually taken the lead in Silver's now cast ( 57% chance of winning the WH)and he's pulled near in the 538 polls only forecast (47% chance). Trump is rated a 40% shot in the 538 polls plus forecast, which takes him into roughly the same league as Romney in the 2012 race during the summer. Trump has not fared as well over at Preditwise, where he is given a 33% chance of picking the WH drapes.
All in all, a pretty damn good week for Trump. Clinton could sure use a good couple of days in Philly.
Don't worry Stig, Clinton will get her bounce too. All of this invective against poor Lisa Simpson! Look, she lost my support when she came out against legalization of pot; my guess is that she lost a lot of support from Bernie fans for that too. So as they say on Earth, " c'est la vie".
But Bernie has gotten his way now a whole lot - more than I can remember any other second place finisher getting, and that includes Hillary in 2008. His campaign should be over. But he stood there today while his supporters booed Clinton, and did nothing to stop them, only launched into an attack on Trump, which was as much to say, "I agree with you about Clinton, but Trump is worse, so hold your noses and go with me on this."
That's hardly a ringing endorsement. Probably shouldn't expect better from a guy who only joined the party to run for president. Now, he not only wants to re-write party rules, but also choose the party's leader. His arrogance is understated, but breathtaking.
That's hardly a ringing endorsement. Probably shouldn't expect better from a guy who only joined the party to run for president. Now, he not only wants to re-write party rules, but also choose the party's leader. His arrogance is understated, but breathtaking.
Well, considering what has happened just over the course of the last two administrations, let alone for the last many decades, I think Senator Sanders has a very good basis for his calls for a revolution and for re-writing the rules etc. and I would hesitate to call it arrogance.
I think he should be expected not only to give a resounding endorsement of Hillary Clinton tonight when delivering his convention speech but to emphatically and effectively answer those of his supporters who seem hell bent on disrupting this convention and on cutting off their noses to spite their faces.
[48] Balthasar: yep.
The thing I can't forgive Bernie for was going to the hysterical-Hillary-hatred route during his campaign. He rode on the Republican train on that one; created the impression that HRC IS all the things she's been accused of while he, otoh, was the pure choice. He ignited the hate and let it spread. And there's always people who like that. Now it's there and he can't stop it.
But there it is.
[49] I think he should be expected not only to give a resounding endorsement of Hillary Clinton tonight when delivering his convention speech but to emphatically and effectively answer those of his supporters who seem hell bent on disrupting this convention and on cutting off their noses to spite their faces.
Let us hope.
[49] Elizabeth: The folks at Fox are all giddy over DWS' troubles, and about Bernie's supporters booing today. I agree, Bernie can give the folks at Fox a good night or a very bad night. It's his call..
He rode on the Republican train on that one; created the impression that HRC IS all the things she's been accused of while he, otoh, was the pure choice.
Yeah, I caught that too. Well, who wouldn't want to walk on water for just one day, eh? Or be a Rock Star? Or in Bernie's case, both..
I worry that he hasn't quite come back to earth yet. His speech today didn't have much of the old 'we're wrapping this up' feel to it. Maybe that was just one last bit of red meat for his supporters (as if they need any). In any case, as Elizabeth said, he's going to have to strike a very different tone tonight.
Agree with liz.
Senator Sanders has a very good basis for his calls for a revolution and for re-writing the rules etc. and I would hesitate to call it arrogance.
the e-mail leak and DWS's subsequent resignation (good riddance, ptui!) leave bernie in an excellent position and with a lot of momentum on his side. the question in my mind is whether bernie can channel this momentum into real change by pushing the party to significant change in his direction, or whether his supporters will sabotage his efforts by overplaying his position and demanding more than he can realistically get.
JL
Balthasar (48)
Worrying does no good, so I try and avoid it as far as possible. Yes, Clinton will likely get a counter-bounce, and Trump's numbers have tended to drift more than other candidates. Trump's bromance with Putin is likely to come back to haunt him in the next couple of weeks. Hillary has political ammo and knows how to use it.
Watergate started with a break in to the DNC offices.
Putingate started with a hack in to the DNC servers.
With Manafort's connections to the Putin regime, we might be in for a very interesting FBI investigation.
I wonder if the Republicans will be as eager to see a full FBI investigation into this?
How many criminal cases is Trump involved in now:
1. Rape allegation
2. Trump U. Fraud allegation
3. DNC server hacks allegation
I'm sure I'm missing a couple of dozen more.
Cory Booker's speech was outstanding. Absolutely floored.
I said I wasn't going to watch ... but, I wanted to be inspired! :)
Cory Booker is presidential material ... and, so is Michele Obama! Both gave brilliant speeches, in substance and delivery.
Michele Obama has made history by having her words used in both conventions. Excellent speech...
Sarah Silverman was great, too ...
You gotta love her line to the Bernie or bust'ers ... you're being ridiculous.
Well that went well!
Heh.
And, we were all so worried just before it started.
Worry is a wasted emotion.
So, over the course of the next couple or three days, I'll be looking for the speaker who tries to entice Trump supporters to the Hillary/Kaine camp.
I think it will be Vice President Biden who feels the real pain of Trump supporters and who delivers the ultimate unifying speech.
It's good that everything is positive. I find the message that we are a great country that can be made better, or more perfect as it were, both accurate and more patriotic than we are in decline and only Trump can save us...
Booker 2024! Mark my words!
Liz,
The DNC chair usually stays out of the limelight far more than DWS has. Their job is typically far more behind the scenes than in the spotlight. They are usually people who have strong connections with different camps and are respected by most. They are generally strong speakers who can get the party's message out there in a way that excites people. Most importantly, they know how to raise funds! DWS didn't ever really fit the mold, except for her strong networking & fundraising skills. That's why they won't just kick her to the curb...that and because she has been extremely loyal to Hillary, and Hillary appreciates and repays that level of loyalty.
Outstanding first night. Seemed to be some interruptions when Warren and Franken were speaking, however except for one clear rendition of "Black Lives Matter" I couldn't make out the chants. My wife tells me I have cloth ears, so if anybody could enlighten me (I'm sure if I checked Fox News I'd get every interruption in triplicate, however I just can't!) I'd appreciate it.
Obviously the painful moment was when Paul Simon needed to take a leak and Franken and Silverman demonstrated that their improv skills were dreadfully rusty. Sarah then probably f$%k#d up the evening with her stupidity when it comes to the right wing crazy press - this is just what they were looking for.
Another plus was that at least the artists were happy that their music was being played. No ripping off Freddie against his will at this convention - that talented artists are scrambling to support the sensible platform party.
Bernie was terrific. I'm not a Bernie fan, but to be fair, George Galloway overfilled my righteous over-angry cup, and maybe I need to give Bernie a real chance.
You cannot fault that man on delivering to his word. He blew the evening away after a lukewarm Warren performance.
CNN wetted their pants over the fact that J.J. Abrahms directed one of the video slots, and also basically ostracized the token Trump supporter on the panel (who made a couple of good points).
Good first night overall.
Sorry - I should have talked about Michelle.
Somebody earlier mentioned that she could be a future candidate - I agree!
She is an outstanding human being. Her line that will be forgotten, but moved me the most was when she said "When they take the low road, we take the high road." And I thought Jackie Robinson had won the award for class in the face of snarling hatred - he has a contender in Michelle!
I agree with all above. Bernie just hit it out of the park, and said everything in just the right order. I expected Warren to be better, but someone forgot to tell her that you have to get right up on these microphones to be heard in the hall.
Michelle had the (unexpectedly) best speech of the night. No wonder the Trumpette wants to steal her lines. I hope that she finds a good way to put those communication skills to work in the post-Obama years.
I even enjoyed the Franken/Silverman banter. Let the right try to make hay out of her comments - Bernie has led his people out of the wilderness!
Russ,
That's why they won't just kick her to the curb...that and because she has been extremely loyal to Hillary, and Hillary appreciates and repays that level of loyalty.
She shouldn't be "kicked to the curb". She should have made a clean break, as it were, and not resign but stay on until after the convention. That missed the whole point of why she needed to go. Obama, Clinton and DWS should have known better.
But, no matter, it all worked out in the end, just took a few hours longer than it should have.
bernie did pretty well. he took on the delicate task of bringing his supporters around to understand that a vote for hillary is necessary in november. not an easy job given the level of emotion, the millenials bawling as he spoke. he took a sort-of circuitous route to get there, but he did get there.
although he did touch on it once, the one thing i would have liked to see more of from bernie was discussion of their campaigns working together. the theme of being "stronger together" is a good one (oddly similar to the motto this year's welsh football squad who made the euro 2016 semi-finals), and he didn't quite drive it home. i was hoping for a personal anecdote about how hillary sincerely agreed to his platform planks or committed to include senator sanders in future policy discussions - something more to indicate that bernie supporters still have more to gain by staying engaged and supporting the democratic ticket.
in spite of a few isolated stragglers, compared to where things were in the morning, bernie's closing speech in the evening seemed to make real progress with his delegates. i hope he gets another speaking slot later in the convention to solidify these gains.
JL
Michale wrote:
"Breaking Poll=> Trump on Track to Win More Black Votes Than Any GOP Candidate Since 1960
Latino Support Upwards of 37%"
Except that was ALL BS! If you had actually READ the article, you would have found out it was NOT A POLL, but a SUPPOSED ANALYSIS by some guy of DIGITAL COMMENTS, who did not explain his methodology or anything else. In other words, it was just MORE whistling in the dark.
I also notice Michale, that you never did respond to the link I posted where I proved that Trump said he would appoint Justices to the Supreme Court that would overturn marriage equality, after you said that you would. Heh! :-D
JM,
http://www.chrisweigant.com/2016/07/22/from-the-recent-archives-pence-kaine-really/#comment-80674
Michale
Michale,
What are you doing here!
Feeling the love? :)
it's JM's fault, he asked michale a direct question.
;p
JL
Joshua,
If I was a die-hard Bernie supporter and I was being, you know, ridiculous, I wouldn't have found a great deal in his speech last night to knock me to my senses.
I think he could have done more - more making the case for Hillary and less running his presidential campaign stump speech - and I hope that he does, in the coming months.
@liz,
there are levels of ridiculous. sure there are a few die-hards who will never be swayed no matter what anyone says, but there are also quite a few who think the platform changes are a good start but are still fence-sitting, and would be swayed by a real substantive change, e.g. appointing bernie to lead the DNC.
JL
I agree, Joshua.
Beyond making an effort to appeal to the Bernie or Bust folks, what do you think should be the effort to sway some of the swayable Trump supporters through a stronger recognition of the real fear and anxiety that drives that support.
I'd like to see Democrats take this on in a big way and do what they say they are all about - put 'Love Trumps Hate' into action, making it a significant part of their presidential election campaign and down-ballot races, too!
@liz,
in addition to courting the left, i think there's a real opportunity to find common ground with the cruz camp and principled conservatives. they're never going to agree to the democratic policy positions on social issues, but there are votes to be had with a few kind words about ted's speech at the RNC. also the fact that the dems ARE having a roll-call vote which the RNC abjectly refused to allow, and the shared virtue of voting one's conscience.
another bloc that hillary has the most difficulty reaching and ought to do a LOT better with is the less-educated. for this there needs to be a simple narrative and a catchy slogan, which so far has been lacking. see cory booker, re: "love"
JL
I love Cory Brooker ... and yes, I did see him on CNN today. :)
Cory Booker, I mean ... sorry ...
Other hillary surrogates need to learn from booker's example how to do verbal judo on personal attacks.
JL
Indeed.
nypoet22 said,
...there are also quite a few who think the platform changes are a good start but are still fence-sitting, and would be swayed by a real substantive change, e.g. appointing bernie to lead the DNC.
That sounds great, except I do not think that Bernie wants anything to do with what all that position has to deal with! Bernie won me over years ago when he called for the closure of all corporate tax loopholes. I have been blown away by the campaign he ran: from how he raised the money to run his campaign, to how he quashed the whole "e-mail server" drama at their first debate, preventing it from becoming a distraction from the issues that truly mattered. And I think Hillary definitely recognized this as well, which is why she was willing to grant him far more influence in shaping the party's platform than a typical opposing candidate could ever hope for.
@russ,
Yeah i know Bernie would not want that job. You're right on that and also right that Clinton has been pretty gracious to him so far. The question becomes what concession is substantive enough to drag along a bigger chunk of the Bernie bros without seeming like she's caving to pressure.
JL
I hope Debbie Wasserman Schulz enjoys some well-deserved obscurity for the rest of her life. While we're at it, maybe DSW Shoes could merge with some other company and have the combined firm use the other one's name.
@dan,
as long as she doesn't add an extra S and join CW's blog. i'd hate to confuse you for her.
;)
JL