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News Room
2007 YearlyKOS Convention
Over 20 Floridians attended the YearlyKos Convention held August 2-5, 2007 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois. What is YearlyKOS?
An annual convention gathering people from all walks of life who belong to the Netroots community, the US-based (but globally focused and inclusive) non-partisan grassroots political action community that uses the Internet and blogs as primary tools for: expressing viewpoints, building consensus, acting to change the status quo, mobilizing huge numbers of people and informing each other and the world about current events, grassroots actions, networks, meetings, policy and more.
The Florida Democratic Party would like to send a big thanks to Pasco County DEC Chair Alison Morano for her Convention updates below. In addition, Florida blogger Kenneth Quinnell, from the Florida Progressive Coalition, 'liveblogged' many of the seminars, and Larry Thorson of the Miami-Dade DEC covered the Convention as well.
YearlyKOS So Far -
Life at the YearlyKOS probably is and isn't exactly what people expect it to be. Sure, it's about 2000 bloggers let loose in the Chicago Convention Center during the "Dog Days of Summer". And, everyone is identified on their nametags by the 'online persona" or screen name (to be easily found by each other in the physical world), but, it's more than that.
The underlying current of this convention is what the political arena has known for a while - whether the conference goers spend their time online reporting, blogging, or just 'lurking' - they know what a lot of the rest of us are starting to see in the next cycle - technology is changing the face of politics.
Technology - It's everywhere. If the Florida Democrats are as connected to each other as the organizers of YearlyKOS are to the participants - we will have it made. Using Text Messaging, Email Updates, RSS Feeds and Big Screen Monitors (that you can text your own messages to) - nobody here will be missing anything.
In addition, Florida blogger Kenneth Quinnell, from http://flaprogressives.org has been 'liveblogging' the seminars he has attended this morning:
C-SPAN will be broadcasting their coverage of the convention this weekend - including the Presidential Leadership Forum and the Ask the Leaders Forum.
Click here for all the TV coverage from KOS
Some Opening Quotes (exclusive to Alison Morano):
"The KOS supporters here this weekend are here to learn. they are here to trade information, meet each other, and develop the type of grassroots relationships that are going to help win the White House in 2008. Florida makes up a good percentage of the attendees this weekend.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest concerns for the attendees and organizers, is the press. Because of the fear of the power that these 'bloggers' and 'netroots' organizers have garnered, the right wing press has been hard at work to undermine the advancements that the conference participants are achieving. To that end, we expect that some news organizations will be here specifically to find negative news to report. We'll see. I think that the level of sophistication in the blogosphere may actually surprise the reporters who may corner one or two of the attendees."
Shanna Ingalsbee
Director of Volunteer Coordination and Special Projects
YearlyKos Convention
"This conference is about People Powered Politics. It's about regular people being empowered to have a greater voice in the political process because of the voice of online activism. The people at this conference are regular moms and dads, teachers and veterans, who happen to care about issues and use the Internet to communicate. They have a powerful voice due to this medium. It's real people, not just kids in their basement in their underwear. Just take a look at the regular people interacting. That's key. "
Adam Green
Civic Communications Director
Moveon.org
One of the first seminars on opening Day:
Adam Green, S.R. Sidarth, Lane Hudson & Mike Stark Sit on the Panel
Three People Who Helped Change Congress:
80% of Life is Showing Up - Woody Allen
Iraq was the defining issue of the past election. But, there were other stories that broke as well. Stories that made a difference because the people 'showed up'. Mark Stark, Lane Hudson and S.R. Sidarth are three individuals who changed the face of the 2006 election because they recognized a story that was not being picked up by the main stream media, investigated and broke through the corruption.
Case in Point: How Lane Hudson Broke the Mark Foley Scandal
Megan Foster (Tampa), Lane Hudson and Nancy Reach (Tampa)
First Case:
Lane Hudson - Foley scandal - Lane tells the story like this:
1. I went back to DC to look for a job.
2. Tim Mahoney was looking for a finance director
3. Investigated Florida 16 - Safe Republican seat.
4. Started asking about Mark Foley around Washington.
5. Heard the Following Over and Over Again: " When I was a page, he hit on me all the time."
6. How did Mark Foley get away with it so far?
7. Looked up Mark Foley's photo and realized: "He Hit on Me When I was 18"
8. Created a blog called "Stop Sex Predators"- reported the story.
9. ABC News broke the story. Washington Times picked up next.
10. Mark Foley out of office. Tim Mahoney In.
Next Case:
S.R. Sidarth - Tells the story of the George Allen (Va) Takedown
1. Worked for Jim Webb during the primary.
2. Strategy Question: How do we present ourselves as a viable alternative?
3. Tracked the Senator George Allen during the Jim Webb primary.
4. George Allen was giving a speech at a GOP rally.
5. Allen began to give racially biased overtones to Sidarth.
6. Recognized that this type of treatment should not come from a sitting Senator.
7. Posted video on YouTube.com
8. George Allen out of office. Jim Webb In.
Make yourself part of the process. Today's politics need the blogs to help regular media run with a story. Lane Hudson did a lot of research for the LA Times. Found the evidence, found the Page, found the myspace profiles, and gave the papers the names.
If you show up - you can report on the process.
Photos from the Campaigns (more to come):
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C-Span and CNN will both be providing coverage of the convention. You'll find the details below.
CNN CNN will be providing some live coverage of the Leadership Forum in a cut-in fashion. To catch this forum on CNN you'll need to wait for the segments to air on the shows currently running. The leadership forum will be held on Saturday, August 4th between 1pm and 3:45pm central time.
C-Span C-Span will be providing taped coverage for a number of the sessions that will be featured during the convention. These sessions will be taped and broadcast later, so check your local listings. The following sessions will be covered.
Ask the Leaders Forum Activists and the Netroots worked so very hard in 2006 to help change the Congressional leadership and the YearlyKos Ask the Leaders Forum gives conference attendees the opportunity to hear from the new Senate and House Leaders. More importantly, audience members will get a rare chance to ask their own questions on issues currently confronting our nation, as well as looking ahead to 2008. It's a unique YearlyKos opportunity that empowers citizens to speak directly to our senior representatives in the 110th Congress.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Harry Reid, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Rahm Emanuel Moderator: Bob Geiger
New Leaders The tidal wave 2006 brought new progressive leaders with a vast range of experience, skills, and interests. This panel features six of these new leaders.
Panelists: Christine Pelosi, Rep. Paul Hodes, Rep. Tim Walz, Rep. Larry LaRocco
Hot Topic Lunch Barbara Morrill, Taylor Marsh, James Rucker, Christy Smith, Jonathan Singer, Digby
Three People Who Helped Change Congress S.R. Siddarth is macaca. Lane Hudon leaked the Mark Foley emails, Mike Stark got tackled by former Sen. George Allen's campaign staffers when asking the questions that the media refused to ask- resulting in lots of media coverage on topics that Allen was trying to keep hidden. Hear their stories, and what lessons are learned for the future.
Panelists: S.R. Sidarth, Lane Hudson, Mike Stark
Building the Progressive Youth Movement Smashing myths and building bridges-building a progressive youth movement. The panel will put to rest the many myths that still perpetuate among the media, candidates and the electorate about this increasingly engaged and highly progressive demographic. Panelists will also discuss their own work in building the infrastructure for a sustainable progressive youth movement, as well as the challenges we face as we look towards 2008 and beyond.
Panelists: Michael Connery, Jane Fleming Kleeb, Matt Singer, Shaunna Thomas, Alexis McGill, Adam Conner
Science, Politics and Activism The YearlyKos 2007 Science Panel will explore pure science, science policy and the intersection between science and politics, and the role of scientific activism in local and national politics. Featured speakers are Chris Mooney, Washington correspondent for Seed magazine, author of The Republican War on Science and Storm World, science blogger and co-founder of Michigan Citizens for Science Ed Brayton, and Theoretical physicist Sean Carroll from Caltech.
Panelists: Stephen Darksyde, Chris Mooney, Sean Carroll, MD, Ed Brayton
Thursday Press Conference for Markos Moulitsas Zúniga, founder of Daily Kos
Question:
What are the Netroots to you?:
Any sort of internet communication that will allow people to communicate with each other. Facebook, Myspace,
In 2004, blogging was the new kid in town. The blogosphere has changed now. It's more institutionalized. Youtube is considered cutting edge now, as well as Social networking sites. Every new technological development that is being used is now being adopted by Progressives and is being used to change the political landscape.
Clinton, Edwards, Dodd, Obama - we're seeing them use the technology very effectively.
Question:
Why did yearlyKOS attract the Presidential Candidates and not the DLC?
It has nothing to do with liberal and centrist. Netroots are not a liberal operation. It's more about outsider vs. establishment. Plenty of liberals and conservatives alike have earned our ire. The problem with the DLC isn't that their centrist - it's that they haven't built the movement that we have in the blogosphere.
Netroots provides troops. Activist audiences. The candidates are going to go where the people are.
Question:
Why aren't the Republicans latching onto blog movements the way the left is?
The left has always built community models. The Right wants to be pundits. They like TV shows, straight reporting - things they can control. You'll find that very few Republican blogs even have comments. This has been very effective in the Republican Party in keeping people on the same page.
On the Left - Community sites have allowed us to take our arguing to a forum that allows for an outcome and, in most cases, a consensus. This has become a strength for the Left.
I have very little respect for more right wing blogs. I do respect the National Review. But, the Pundit model is not compelling reading.
We have two goals in our Progressive community:
1. Elect democratic majority
2. Clean up Democratic party to make it a clean party
Question:
How is this year's KOS different from last year?
KOS has come a long way since last year. Last year I gave the keynote and I proclaimed - "we have arrived".
For example, we knew that Ned Lamont was only 15 points behind Joe Lieberman in the polls. We knew from our website, even though the media reported differently.
We definitely knew what was being built - Ned Lamont beat Lieberman. We also helped recruit Jim Webb - helped them win.
And, we will see more results when we have a Democratic president and more of a majority in 2008.
Question:
Will you continue to hold the Democrats accountable, even after they win - or will you say that 'your job is done'?
We want out of Iraq. And if a Democratic administration refuses to do that - they will be under a lot of heat to change things. We will continue to hold them accountable.
Question:
What are your feelings on Impeachment?
On the Impeachment of Bush and Cheney - blogs have not been pushing impeachment. Only accountability. Our efforts are better spent making sure that Bush and Cheney don't take the brunt of the blame for problems in the country. It's a Republican problem. They all supported them, and they are to blame.
We are, however, supporting the Impeachment of Gonzales.
Final Question:
When asked (by me) if he would consider coming to the Florida Democratic Party Conference in October, Markos replied that he'll definitely take a look at his calendar.
Press Conference #2
Gina Cooper - Executive Director & YearlyKOS Staff
Facts about This Year's KOS Convention:
Senator Biden is the only one of the 8 Democratic Candidates not attending the Presidential forum this weekend.
Of the 250 journalists attending, 65% of media coming to the convention are mainstream outlets. The rest are bloggers and online journalists.
Almost 250 more International press representatives than last convention.
Attendees: Last year 1000 - this year 1500. 120 speakers last year - over 200 this year.
More candidates, more congressional leadership. Including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Harry Reid, Congressman Rahm Emanuel
Much bigger contingent from state and local blogs. since all politics are local - then that's something to watch as we get closer to 2008.
Actively tried to reach out to diverse groups. '
Goal - flatten democracy - decrease the distance between citizens and leaders. New Media makes it possible for voters to communicate with leaders for a longer period of time. Enabling a new conversation.
The most impressive fact about YearlyKOS is that leaders want to be here - they want to be a part of this community. It's Democracy and communication.
The people and the volunteers also want to be here. they donate their time as well as their money.
Several Dozen sponsors this year vs. 70 last year.
August 3, 2007 - Day 2
(Author's Note: Last night we heard from DNC Chairman Howard Dean - I was so busy listening that I forgot to take notes - but you can watch Governor Dean by clicking here)
AND - One of the best parts of the conference is the technology. Here are some of the posts we put on the big screen during dinner:
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After a long night of networking, blogging, talking about blogging, and talking, talking, talking (including a get together with Air America Talk Show Host, Cenk Uygar (The Young Turks), we're back in the Grand Ballroom at 8am to hear from General Wesley Clark:
General Wesley Clark
Click here for Streaming Video of the General's Keynote
VoteVets.org President Jon Soltz introduces General Wesley Clark:
General Clark was right about the war. Pro-Military, supports the troops, administration has destroyed volunteer force.
Who is General Clark?
"Leaders are people who help people with their burdens and their problems" - that's General Clark.
General Clark Remarks:
Asked all candidates to stand: "It takes courage to run for office. It's not the same type of courage that wins a silver star in the military. You worry about your family, and your community. That's a different kind of courage. I hope you all win."
We spent billions and billions of dollars in Iraq in infrastructure. Two nights ago a bridge fell in Minnesota. if we had spent that kind of money in the United States on infrastructure, we could have saved so many lives."
George Bush reminds me of a rookie pitcher who thinks they have a no-hitter in the ninth inning, and is trying to just skate through.
Admiration for men and women in uniform. they are doing a great job. But, it's not about the military, it's about the political. and not just in Iraq. It's about the political at home.
The World is Asking: What's Going On With America?
This year, I've traveled to Asia and China, Middle East, Turkey, Ukraine - all over the world. Everywhere people love what America stands for. They love the people. They read what we believe in. They are asking "where is America on issues like global development when we can't even take care of our farmers. How sincere is our commitment to alleviating world poverty? How are we doing on global warming? Vice President Gore is doing a fabulous job - so why is it that every international forum, the United States position is to block progress, argue, and stall."
Enormous changes in Asia. Meeting of President's of Asia - where's America? - Answer: We've been caught up in other things - we didn't play. We're not there.
Alternative fuels, other burgeoning economies - India and China. Where are we?
The biggest cause of terrorism - America hasn't done their duty in trying to bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Not one foreign businessman has come to me and said "thank you for getting rid of Saddam Hussein - come to my country. Human Rights - What about Abu Ghraib? What is the secret rendition program? Where is the America we know? We love America. Where is it?"
They know America is a great country - so do you. Some people have never had it so good. But, I'm asking "Why do we have to get 40 dentists together to give free dental care - but so many can't get medical help. President Bush is going to veto health care for children because it will add .68 tax to cigarettes."
We're just treading water. We can't move up while we're spending our money on the war. Americans are trying to pay off loans, hoping the care doesn't break down, in the greatest country in the world.
Why can't we have a strategy towards energy independence in the greatest country in the world?
Al Aqaeda - Not 4th World War:
I Don't believe that Al Qaeda is the 4th World War. But, we have strengthened them by not having forces in Afghanistan, and concentrating on Iraq, which is a great recruiting center for Al qaeda
We need to be using this moment of America's preeminence to reshape the institutions that address the problems of mankind that are too big for one nation. Global warming, economy, health, we need to rebuild America and compete more effectively in this global economy. Education, labor. we can't do this until we get out of Iraq.
Here's where I need your help - we have to get out the right way. Unlike Vietnam, we'll still have a range of interests there. We'll still be worried about the security of the world's supply of oil. We'll still be worried about Lebanon, terrorists - will not go away. We have to come out the right way.
From the president's perspective, Iraq is just a war. He's happy to listen to a general. And, when he gets tired of listening to them, he replaces them.
I admire those Generals. But, Petraeus is going to do his best to make the surge work. that's his duty. Our troops are competent, capable and well led. They make a difference. When they shoot, they miss, American troops hit. Our soldiers hit what they shoot at. I'm proud of them. They're good. But, what we've got to do is create not an argument in the United States over the troops or their tactics - but raise the debate to the administrations strategies and policies in this region.
We can't succeed in Iraq no matter what the numbers of troops. You can't succeed by intimidating the opposition. The military is not the answer. The answer is the politics.
A power struggle within religious factions, geopolitical struggle from different nations present in Iraq. There are a whole lot more representatives in Iraq than just the nations in the coalition. Problem will not be solved without working within the diplomatic level. Isolate problems and engage people.
Iran:
Iranians have tried to engage us, we've rebuffed them. We've been at war with them for 30 years. Their population is pro-American. 61% of Iranians do not like their government. But, the Iranian government thinks they have something we want. They are going to bargain and joust. We have to engage - we can't isolate and get what we want. Bush says we don't have enough leverage. We are the most powerful government in the world. We have military dominance. We are also the most powerful economic force in the world. So - we don't have enough leverage?? That doesn't make sense. Let's engage. Give them the kind of diplomatic support they need.
We Have a Plan: It's Not the Surge
Plan: Start with a statement of principles. "It's not exactly a military plan - it's more like jazz" - Richard Hoebart
How do you start the process? The US must be willing to engage with a nation we don't like. We must move away from the state of war that we have with that nation.
I'm not saying that Iran is not a serious problem. But, we can't deal with that problem until we engage. The use of force is only, only, only, only as a last resort.
The administration doesn't want to talk about this. They want to talk about troops. "If you don't support our troops, then you're not patriotic, and you don't have a voice" - administration.
When we argue about troops - we're playing on George Bush's home court. I would have put the troops in the beginning - IF we had them. But we didn't then and we don't now.
Raise the dialogue and take it away from the President. We are questioning you and your leadership, Mr. President.
Say "Mr. President, stop hiding from behind Dave Petraeus and start defending your war and your policy. You defend it. This is your war."
But, Dave Petraeus is trying to make it work. But, you can't win it. The only person who can fix it is the person in charge of the overall strategy. Stop isolating, start engaging.
Don't lead by sending men and women in uniform into combat.
What we ought to do is pull two brigades back by Christmas. And, we need Congress and the American people. Mr. President, the problem in Iraq is not the troop strength, it is not the surge, it is the FAILURE of your leadership in the region.
I'm hoping that with your help - you'll be able to reach out and help influence our elected representatives to give this administration a deadline. If we don't get at the strategy, we're not taking care of the troops and we won't succeed. I don't think Iraq is pretty close to a total failure. It's not going to be a western style democracy. It's not going to invite the US Congress to send a representative to their administration. It's not going to become a member of NATO. But we can hope for a state that holds together. that tries to work law and order. that doesn't become a breeding ground for terrorism and violence. And, we can hope that the people of Iraq will hold their own way forward. And, that thousands of Iraqi's stop dying every month.
Modest objectives - we can protect the largest US interest in the region. But, we must engage people we don't agree with. We must take our responsibilities seriously. We must find peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
It must be soon - it's costing a billion dollars a year, and our children need healthcare, and our country needs innovation, and our roads need repair. There is a long list of things we must do for our country and our world, and we can't do them until we're out of Iraq. History doesn't stop when the war ends. You - Kossacks - help put the intelligence in US Foreign Policy. Help America get it's priorities right.
That's the America we're looking for - it's the America they're looking for. Thank you.
Media Matters Seminar
"I was a Republican until they lost their minds" - Charles Barklay
FOLLOWING IN THE STEPS OF THE LEFT
Eric Massa, John Dean, David Brock, Cenk Uygar
4 FORMER Republicans Tell their stories of party-switching:
Cenk Uygar
Impeachment made me realize that Republicans are not honest player.
1. I Don't like bush's foreign policy
2. I Looked at the guy and thought "this guy's too stupid to be president"
3. I cannot believe the absolute and utter abuse of the US Constitution
I want to know: Is anybody in the press going to say that George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush have exact opposite foreign policy?
Moderate republicans were gone, and Religious right controlled party.
Every friend of mine is a Democrat now.
"I'm not going to be even handed anymore" - George Bush. That's when I left the Republican Party
Today's Republicans are not even conservative. They are so far right.
David Brock - Founder, Media Matters -
Media Matters tracks all of the conservative misinformation in the media.
Was the first person was the first person to uncover the Paula Jones story while at the American Spectator:
Wrote "The Real Anita Hill" -
Then, changed parties, and wrote "Blinded by the Right" and "The Republican Noise Machine"
Brock: Proud Progressive
"If you're not liberal when you're young - you don't have a heart. If you're not conservative when you're old, you don't have a brain." - not true
Excommunication is a two way street. Some left me after publishing a book about Hillary Clinton that portrayed her as a human being.
After writing a book that defending Clarence Thomas, he learned that the Republicans who helped him write the book, didn't believe what they told him. He realized that lying was acceptable behavior to them.
If you look up Conspiracy: "Wrongful Scheme".
Deeply involved in Clinton Conspiracy. Became a whistleblower in 1998.
Always a social liberal, navigating a role in Conservative movement, while being openly gay. "Unprincipled, corrupt and lying conservative movement from the 1990's is still with us today, and poses an even deeper threat."
John Dean, former White House Counsel to Richard Nixon:
Author - "Worse than Watergate"
Reasons Dean Left the Republican Party:
I Returned to writing about law in 2000. Looking at the new administration. First thing that struck him was the secrecy of the Presidency. Nobody was writing about it in the media.
"Worse than Watergate" is mistitled, should be "Much Worse than Watergate". Having seen what they were doing, I began to explain why they were doing it.
What's happening to the Republican party? It converted to a very small, powerful group that was dominating and calling the shots.
The Ideologues running the party. Several years ago I ran into a body of science on authoritarianism. Now I realize that it dominates the party.
There are two types of Authoritarians: leaders and those who comply to the leaders.
I Realized that material describes Republicans in charge: Intolerant, narrow-minded, bigoted, instable. And, they can't see it in themselves.
Both leaders and followers. 30% of the Republican party. 30% of the American population. Lemmings who will go over the edge when their leaders tell them to.
Many Republicans wrote to Dean to say thank you for getting the A-Word on the table. Progressives have always known this.
Goldwater Conservative on many issues. Puts him well left of center.
"When history looks back at me and my Conservatism, they are going to call me a liberal" - Barry Goldwater
My new book: "Broken Government - How the Republican Rule has destroyed the Legislative, Judicial and Executive Branches" - coming in September
August 3, 2007 - Evening:
(this is just a recap of last night - and typical activity that comes with attending YearlyKOS)
I had to leave the late afternoon seminars to get ready for my real convention responsibilities as a liaison to the Presidential Candidates coming in tomorrow for the forum. I've been assigned to Governor Bill Richardson, and have been told that his campaign has set out the most complicated route of all the candidates. So, we spent a good two hours going over the back hallways, elevators and walk paths in order to get the candidates to and from their cars, to their green rooms, down to the forum, to their breakout sessions, and then back to their cars.
Following the walk thru, we went to some sponsored events around the hotel, and then to dinner.
Still later, I ran into George Lakoff (Don't Think of an Elephant) and Gene Sperling (President Clinton's Economic Advisor), in the lobby. Mr. Lakoff gave me some GREAT advice, that I will be taking back to Florida with me. Really GOOD.
Saturday, August 4 - BIG DAY
Presidential Candidates came in today:
Senator Clinton, Senator Obama, Senator Edwards, Governor Richardson, Senator Dodd, Congressman Kucinich & Senator Gravel
Here's where you can see the forum online: http://www.politicstv.com/
Here are some of my photos from the event:
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After the Presidential Forum and the Separate Breakouts, the National Teamsters Union held an event where they announced that the UNIONS ARE BACK to Democrat:
Jim Hoffa, President, Teamsters Union
Next - Thank you party for volunteers - and,
Final wrap up in the ballroom - then good night from YearlyKOS.
Markos' Keynote Closing Address is Here
Big announcement at wrapup - Next year, the conference will be called "NETROOTS CONVENTION" - watch for it.
On our way home today - Sunday, August 5, 2007.