Well, it is Vegas so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that I got addressed as "baby" and asked if I wanted to go have a good time not once but twice on the Rio casino floor Thursday night. Hope I don't look that desperate! But they are working girls so I guess the real go getters get the proverbial nut, eh?
NN2010 got off to a good start last night. Met some interesting characters before and during the opening keynote event. The event itself was interesting. Nevada State Senator Steven Horsford started things off with an attempt at a spirited defense of the accomplishments of the Obama administration, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. He fought the good fight but the response was less than raucous. Ultimately acknowledging that what has been accomplished thus far must serve as the "building blocks" of true progressive reform in the US moving forward. They showed a great AFSCME/Brave New Films promo about taking on the lies of the right wing. That got the attendees attention. Majora Carter spoke passionately about her work through "Greening the Ghetto" and about the impact of "environmental sacrifice" zones on the poor in both urban and rural settings.
Then Ed Schultz came out! Wow! What a fireball of energy that guy is. He knows how to work a room. Launched right into an all out attack on the Democratic Party and the administration and Congress. He had a great line, which may be one of his regulars. After talking about how we need to stop throwing ourselves at Wall Street he said, "I stick up for the people who take a shower AFTER work!" Asked where is our moral compass as a nation and as a party. Over the whole Sherrod incident he said he's sure they have a war room in the White House and they must also have a "sissy room". Stop responding to FOX. We complained to the Bush White House for 8 years. They didn't respond once! He busted his ass for Obama's election and he's not being "anti-Obama". He knows where we'd be if he'd lost. But, he said, "we're in the locker room and it's halftime" and we gotta perform better in the second half or things ain't gonna go our way. The guy has amazing energy.
Markos came out and spoke briefly to introduce Gov. Brian Schweitzer. He talked about the growth of the netroots since the first YealyKos 4 years ago. The challanges facing a progressive movement that has a 25+ years structural disadvantage too the rightwing machine. Called Harry Reid the luckiest guy in politics and thanked the tea baggers for Sharron Angle, Rand Paul and Linda McMahon! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Brian Schweitzer was a terrific speaker as well. He spoke at length and told some great stories. A really likable, sensible guy. I'll right some more about his comments later.
Off to breakfast and COFFEE! Late night last night. There was a sponsored karaoke party at one of the Rio bars. Drinks were flowing. Played some cards. And I'm happy to report that I am, currently, ahead!
15 comments:
All right! Sounds like fun. If they are talking about next year, start bugging them about Seattle, and I'll be in. I haven't even looked to see what the panels are about, but I would have loved to get into the comedy snark one.
Of course, I'd have skipped Big Ed, who's just a Rush wannabe. I used to listen on Air America, but stopped because he never knew the facts, yelled at callers, and lied more often than not. But the Bubbas on both sides like that in a bloviator, so our side might as well have one. He's prolly the only one talking up unions anymore, too.
Heh. Just saw this at Balloon Juice:
In 1994, Ed Schultz considered running as a Republican against Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) for the U.S. House. At some point subsequent he /had a conversion/ discovered that the queue for talk-show hosts was much shorter on the left than on the right. The rest is history.
Yeah, I don't care much for the style. It's different than what Rush does. Rush lies about the left. Schultz just calls him, and them on it. There is a difference. But his larger point is true. Why has Obama sat for interviews with Fox News, a functional tool of the rightwing but has not sat down for one with Olberman or Maddow? The answer is bcause he's afraid of the response from the right if he did. And he has no such fear of a similiar response from the left.
Great panel this morning about SCOTUS and Kagan. Had breakfast this morning w the woman who organized it and sat on the panel. Good discussion of the state of the court. Sen. Ben Cardin on panel. Talked about his private conversations with both Sotomayor and Kagan and how he was highly encouraged by what he heard from them. They may not be as far left as many want but they will serve the common people well in a court dominated by the likes of Roberts, Scalia and Alito.
That sounds encouraging! And the Snark panel is tomorrow at 4, so you haven't missed it!
Awesome update Snark! I heard there was going to be a comedy act but didn't realize big Ed was the headliner... joking. I don't mind Ed, former pro quarterback in the Canadian league. Since he's been on TV, he has gotten better with knowing the facts but he is still a Rush wannabee, loud and pushy. Me thinks people like that... personally, I like the more cerebral approach that Thom Hartmann takes.
Local news here in AZ had a story about a possible connection between the states private corrections business and Gov. Jan Brewer. Makes you go... HUM!
It's different than what Rush does. Rush lies about the left.
Oh, I understand the distinction, I just meant he wanted to be a populist voice in the heartland as big as Rush's (with all the fame and fortune that allows) - we can have those bubbas on our side if they have someone like Ed who speaks their language. He's a valuable asset in the liberal media figure lineup. I'm a Maddow gal, but I know not everyone gets into her style. Just as KO appeals to a certain demo. It's building up a chorus of voices that appeals to a wide range of people, so it's all good.
I still haven't connected with Izzy; my sister's in town for the weekend!
Stayed up a bit late last night watching the poker tournament. I say watching because I busted out much earlier than I would have liked. My 3 aces got beat by a full house that my opponent made on the last card. Oh well.
Breakfast before Pelosi. Just saw Gerald Nadler walk by. Looks like he put back on some of the weight he lost. Then I think I'll go to the panel on reversing Citizens United.
Interested to see what kind of reception Harry Reid gets this afternoon.
And I gotta squeeze in some time to find a little something for my girls back home. Gonna be a full day.
Day-am, you couldn't win with 3 aces?? Bummerama. I'd love to hear about Pelosi - they better treat her right. Don't know Nadler, though. How cool, hobnobbing with the politicos. Thanks for the updates!
Shoulda been a sure thing. Cards!
I'll try and post some comments on Pelosi later.
Nadler is rep from west side of Manhattan. Was huge but I thought he had gastric bypass surgery. Had dropped a lot but seems to be bigger again.
Pelosi being introduced now.
Woohoo!
Trying to post but the internet set up they have here is real wonky. People have been in a funk about it all weekend.
In the Citizens United panel. Donna Edwards and Alan Grayson both in it. Gotta say, as little prospect as I think he has for national office he is a very well spoken guy. Articulate. Smart and interesting to listen to. He lays it out. Right now the situation is that a lobbyist walks into your officer and says "I have x number of millions of dollars to spend. I can spend it for you or against you."
E-gads man, "Drowned at the River!"
And yes Twinky, Rachel set that Shirley Sherrod case up beautifully the other night... when Eugene Robinson came on and said, "Thanks for reminding me of a term I hadn't heard in years... negro-phobia." I almost had to burst out laughing... what a bunch of fear mongering, racists these repukes are. Can't win on substance but will still try and lie, cheat, steal and make you as fearful as possible during election years. And what's scary is it's working.
Finally saw The Hurt Locker, about as perfectly made movie I've seen in awhile... almost too perfect.
Thanks, SoS, I wish more people picked up on the theme, but it's not likely. If nothing else, Obama's signing of unemployment bennies extension and the financial reform being overshadowed might give him an idea that it doesn't matter what he does, unless he pays attention to what's happening now. Nothing will matter but the economy, and when people are scared shitless about the future, they tend to fall for sensationalist shit. 'Course Congress doesn't care, because of what Grayson said - they're getting bucketfuls of cash not to care.
snark, was Grayson treated like a rock star? I kinda like the guy myself. And I thought you were working from your crackberry!
BTW, how was the reaction to Obama? Did people boo?
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