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Saturday, August 4, 2007

Clinton Charms the Kossaks

posted by on August 4 at 13:29 PM

Sorry, but The Stranger’s digital camera is no more (hopefully just because of dead batteries). So, sadly, no pictures of Clinton’s meeting with DailyKos users and bloggers this morning.

But I’ll tell you a little about it: There was some tension in the air because of Clinton’s back-and-forth over whether she would actually meet one-on-one with attendees at YearlyKos. She began by emphasizing that she’d rearranged her schedule to make it possible for her to meet with conference attendees (she ultimately met one-on-one with them this morning, while the other candidates will do the same this afternoon).

Then she pivoted to a self-deprecating acknowledgment of the fact that she’s not always the favored presidential candidate in the liberal blogosphere.

“I’m aware that not everyone says nice things about me,” Clinton told the crowd. “Let me start by saying something unexpected and that is: “Thank you. Thank you for being so involved in helping create a modern progressive movement in America.”

You could feel some of the tension beginning to drain out of the room, making space for the select crowd of about 300 to listen as she then answered their questions on health care, NAFTA, Welfare reform, DOMA, and telecommunications law. They were wonky questions, and Clinton gave wonky answers, obviously well aware that people who come to conferences of political bloggers tend to be… wonks.

Who knows how the appearance will ultimately play out. I’m sure DailyKos will run a poll on its blog soon after YearlyKos is over to see what people think of the candidates after their appearances today. But my sense was that Clinton charmed the Kossaks in much the same way she’s said to have charmed other smallish rooms of people over the last few years—with self-deprecation, an ingratiating manner, and a clear command of just about any policy issue that gets thrown at her.

I’m sitting in the larger candidate forum right now, listening to Gravel, Richardson, Dodd, Edwards, Clinton, Obama, and Kucinich duke it out in front of all 1,400 of the conference attendees. Then I’ll be trying to squeeze in to some of the one-on-one sessions with the other candidates afterward. Hope to be able to blog more later.

RSS icon Comments

1

Yes. These war supporters can be charming. One might easily forget their role in starting a war in which the number of dead and injured increases daily.

Excerpt from \"Say Yes To War\" by Dan Savage October 2002

\"In the meantime, invading and rebuilding Iraq will not only free the Iraqi people, it will also make the Saudis aware of the consequences they face if they continue to oppress their own people while exporting terrorism and terrorists. The War on Iraq will make it clear to our friends and enemies in the Middle East (and elsewhere) that we mean business: Free your people, reform your societies, liberalize, and democratize... or we\'re going to come over there, remove you from power, free your people, and reform your societies for ourselves\"

Posted by .... | August 4, 2007 1:18 PM
2

The Kossites are like anyone else; they don't really give a shit about what they're saying, they just want to be taken seriously. Even if they've got little to be taken seriously for.

Not all of them, of course, but have you noticed how eagerly Markos and some of the others jump for treats when the powerful hold them out?

Posted by Fnarf | August 4, 2007 2:42 PM
3

Is anyone else sick and tired of the 2008 election already??

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger | August 4, 2007 8:16 PM
4

I am.

Posted by Mr. Poe | August 4, 2007 8:20 PM
5

Nobody for President

Posted by Mahtli69 | August 4, 2007 9:52 PM
6

Not all of them, of course, but have you noticed how eagerly Markos and some of the others jump for treats when the powerful hold them out?

Really? With due respect, my observation is that Markos holds back an awful lot, almost to the point of absurdity.

I guess it depends on one's viewpoint. While I understand the impulse to be suspicious and cynical, and I do it myself a lot, in a two party system what are we supposed to do? Nobody is perfect.

Blog triumphalism is silly, of course, but it's a start. I understand that in a post-modern media world anything or anyone that becomes known will be subject to ridicule, but we have to do something for crying out loud. The correct course is not always obvious and is worthy of debate, but if we're more or less on the same side I would cut Daily Kos something of a break.

For what it's worth, not everyone loves Slog, but I like it a lot. Takes me outside my particular world, which I value. I'm just some suburban guy in SW Washington, but reading this blog has informed my viewpoints, for what it's worth. I really enjoy reading Slog.

Best to all.

Posted by stilwell | August 4, 2007 10:30 PM

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