Dean Calls out Right Wing's "racist hysteria" on Immigration (Democracy Fest Blogging Pt 3)

by: odum

Mon Jun 11, 2007 at 01:08:20 AM EDT

The good news, though, is that I was able to secure interviews not only with Gravel, but with Dunne, and even Howard Dean. I'll have the Dean interview up at some point Monday and will trickle out the others as I can transcribe them. Hopefully I'll also have the Hodes/Shea-Porter clip by the end of the week.

But on to epm and Dean...

Democracy Fest Blogging Part 2: Granny D, Gravel and stuff...

by: odum

Sun Jun 10, 2007 at 13:41:25 PM EDT

Yesterday evening and this morning has proven a relatively laid back affair (well, except for mataliandy). I'm not a big networker unless I come with a crowd, and I'm here all by myself, which means I hide in the corner. Organizers have done a good job making this a very musical experience, as there was never too long a stretch of time between guitar interludes (although the place was hardly hoppin' last night. I think folks were tired). Lots of live music, no songs written less than about 30 years ago, of course...

Despite my turtle-ish behavior, this morning has been delightful, as I got time to catch up with a few old colleagues, such as Tom Hughes (currently the Executive Director of DFA and in serious need of a real vacation - the man's a political addict. For his sake, I hope they invent a patch for that) and Kate Donahue, organizer extraordinaire who is now running Blue Mass Group's Jamie Eldridge's re-election campaign for the Massachusetts assembly. Chatted with him briefly, and he's a great, progressive guy. You should go give him some money.

And if yesterday was my day to hear blog complaints, today I've had several people come up to me saying how much they appreciate GMD. Probably a sign that the beds here provided for a good night's sleep.

This morning was the "bloggers breakfast," which apparently is some sort of tradition at these things. Jim Dean again welcomed the crowd, speaking in glowing terms about blogs and bloggers (we are "elevating and recreating the political discourse" - I'd love to see David Broder's face over that quote). Before introductions (ack! Nobody told me I'd have to introduce myself!), there was a moment of silence for bloggers passed, such as Steve Gilliard, as well as DFA community favorites JC and The OC of blogforamerica.

Pleasant scene, that blogger's breakfast. It was the only place here that I've felt that oddly worshipful vibe towards Howard Dean that always made me squirmy during his campaign, but very pleasant nonetheless.

But working backwards to last night speakers...

DemocracyFest Day 1 so far: Edwards, Hodes, Shea-Porter, and Impeachment in the Air

by: odum

Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 17:26:22 PM EDT

(Details on Edwards, Jim Dean, Paul Hodes, Carol Shea-Porter, and the impeachment panel including Jeffry Taylor, Dan DeWalt, Dave Lindorff and Adrienne Kinne below the fold...)