"You missed my baby!"
"The scariest thing of all is that John Sharp has learned how to text message."
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The Future of Texas Politics
I'd like to take the opportunity of a web forum all to myself (Elizabeth's picking up her cousin at the airport, so I stole the computer and told Emily I was checking my email 145 times) to address a troubling rumor once and for all:
Patrick Rose and Mark Strama are not the same person.
I mean, that would be ridiculous, right? Though it is a widely accepted fact that Patrick Rose is a politician of such high caliber and campaigning know-how that he could feasibly have been elected to two different seats in the same year, I have difficulty believing that he would create a political alter ego, use that alter ego to establish a Campaign Academy, and not call that academy "Patrick Rose Campaign Boot Camp." Therefore, using my intern's intuition and the philosophical principle of Occam's Razor, I have come to what I believe is a simple and elegant conclusion:
Patrick Rose is Mark Strama's younger self, sent forward in time to serve Texas right when it needs him the most.
If you think about it, the signs are many: Patrick Rose is younger than Mark Strama. Mark is married and has a daughter; Patrick Rose has not yet been married, and does not have any children. Patrick Rose drives a DeLorean and has watched every single installment of I Love the 80s.
Look, I'm not saying that if you busted into Mark's capitol office and ripped up the floorboards, you would find the portal to the fourth dimension that was used to bring Patrick Rose into the 21st century.
But I'm also not saying that you wouldn't.
Patrick Rose and Mark Strama are not the same person.
I mean, that would be ridiculous, right? Though it is a widely accepted fact that Patrick Rose is a politician of such high caliber and campaigning know-how that he could feasibly have been elected to two different seats in the same year, I have difficulty believing that he would create a political alter ego, use that alter ego to establish a Campaign Academy, and not call that academy "Patrick Rose Campaign Boot Camp." Therefore, using my intern's intuition and the philosophical principle of Occam's Razor, I have come to what I believe is a simple and elegant conclusion:
Patrick Rose is Mark Strama's younger self, sent forward in time to serve Texas right when it needs him the most.
If you think about it, the signs are many: Patrick Rose is younger than Mark Strama. Mark is married and has a daughter; Patrick Rose has not yet been married, and does not have any children. Patrick Rose drives a DeLorean and has watched every single installment of I Love the 80s.
Look, I'm not saying that if you busted into Mark's capitol office and ripped up the floorboards, you would find the portal to the fourth dimension that was used to bring Patrick Rose into the 21st century.
But I'm also not saying that you wouldn't.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Ex (blog)Post Facto
Oh.
My.
God.
The last couple weeks of Campaign Academy have successfully shown my true colors.
Red, white, and HOT PINK.
The woman inside is really a 13 year old girl.
After throughly flipping out when I received the email informing me that GOVERNOR HOWARD DEAN was scheduled to speak to the Academy, I wondered if anything could top that moment.
Well despite my best efforts to be coy, I had another tremble of admiration when I met the man himself. Emotions ran high as I casually introduced myself to Gov. Dean, and his assistant, Jeremy. As I led the pair to the calling room, I was embarrassed as I stumbled over my words and forgot to offer the pair a bottle of water or a 5-day-old doughnut from the coordinated campaign.
Actually hearing Dean speak was the best part of the whole ordeal. (Strange, I know.) He was genuinely enthusiastic about grassroots organization and political activism. The rhetoric was replaced with solutions and basic campaign ideas. For instance, new technology has made it possible for activists to print out campaign flyers, reordering topics to fit a particular constituency. Gov. Dean is so cool!
My.
God.
The last couple weeks of Campaign Academy have successfully shown my true colors.
Red, white, and HOT PINK.
The woman inside is really a 13 year old girl.
After throughly flipping out when I received the email informing me that GOVERNOR HOWARD DEAN was scheduled to speak to the Academy, I wondered if anything could top that moment.
Well despite my best efforts to be coy, I had another tremble of admiration when I met the man himself. Emotions ran high as I casually introduced myself to Gov. Dean, and his assistant, Jeremy. As I led the pair to the calling room, I was embarrassed as I stumbled over my words and forgot to offer the pair a bottle of water or a 5-day-old doughnut from the coordinated campaign.
Actually hearing Dean speak was the best part of the whole ordeal. (Strange, I know.) He was genuinely enthusiastic about grassroots organization and political activism. The rhetoric was replaced with solutions and basic campaign ideas. For instance, new technology has made it possible for activists to print out campaign flyers, reordering topics to fit a particular constituency. Gov. Dean is so cool!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Christine Pelosi Can Be My Campaign Drill Sergeant Any Day
Indication #472 that I might, in fact, have metamorphosed into the biggest nerd I know:
When Christine Pelosi comes to visit the Campaign Academy on Friday, sharing stories of conscience, conflict, and public policy, I become convinced over the course of an hour that she is the coolest person on the face of the earth.
Seriously, though, I challenge the internet to come to a different conclusion. We're talking about a lady willing to give us the downlow on what it takes to be a politician (complete belief in your cause, willingness to sacrifice wedding anniversaries for house parties and minor injuries), how to deal with being right but not being able to do anything about it ("I told you so" is not a policy, unless you have younger siblings), and the appropriate application of grandmothers to the political process (making phone calls and bickering over the nationalities of your constituents).
"She's so practical!" I gushed to fellow interns, who had by then politely moved on to the next speaker. It is moments like these-- when data entry makes me giddy, when I breathlessly exclaim to Howard Dean that his new voter registration strategies are "so statistically significant," when Scroll Down, Vote for Andy Brown strikes me as the epitome of cleverness-- that make me realize just how sad a place my brain has become.
But never mind all that. CHRISTINE PELOSI.
Not only does she have her very own Wikipedia entry and comprise approximately 20% of our blog's readership (the other 80% being me, Emily, Grant, and people hitting "I'm Feeling Lucky" on Google), but Pelosi served as John Tierney's chief of staff, has written a book called Campaign Boot Camp that is surprisingly not a biography of Mark Strama, and IS A SUPERDELEGATE. DID YOU KNOW THAT? She can also stop bullets. With her mind.
If you don't believe me, check Wikipedia. Hint hint.
When Christine Pelosi comes to visit the Campaign Academy on Friday, sharing stories of conscience, conflict, and public policy, I become convinced over the course of an hour that she is the coolest person on the face of the earth.
Seriously, though, I challenge the internet to come to a different conclusion. We're talking about a lady willing to give us the downlow on what it takes to be a politician (complete belief in your cause, willingness to sacrifice wedding anniversaries for house parties and minor injuries), how to deal with being right but not being able to do anything about it ("I told you so" is not a policy, unless you have younger siblings), and the appropriate application of grandmothers to the political process (making phone calls and bickering over the nationalities of your constituents).
"She's so practical!" I gushed to fellow interns, who had by then politely moved on to the next speaker. It is moments like these-- when data entry makes me giddy, when I breathlessly exclaim to Howard Dean that his new voter registration strategies are "so statistically significant," when Scroll Down, Vote for Andy Brown strikes me as the epitome of cleverness-- that make me realize just how sad a place my brain has become.
But never mind all that. CHRISTINE PELOSI.
Not only does she have her very own Wikipedia entry and comprise approximately 20% of our blog's readership (the other 80% being me, Emily, Grant, and people hitting "I'm Feeling Lucky" on Google), but Pelosi served as John Tierney's chief of staff, has written a book called Campaign Boot Camp that is surprisingly not a biography of Mark Strama, and IS A SUPERDELEGATE. DID YOU KNOW THAT? She can also stop bullets. With her mind.
If you don't believe me, check Wikipedia. Hint hint.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Too Cool for Netroots
It was day two of Netroots Nation for the Campaign Academy-- did anybody else know you had to register for this shindig?! Luckily, my escort off the premises was not a burly security guy (do they even have those at blogger conventions?) but fellow intern Matt Bell, and not before we achieved a quick fifteen minutes of fame: While circling Ballroom D yet again, my ardent political activism as expressed in the sentiment "Ooh, candy!" earned us the attention of a gentleman with Commonweal Institute, who promptly interviewed us for the group's podcast. In a great personal breakthrough, I managed to answer his questions using phrases other than "save me a Junior Mint."
Actually, today was a big one for me in terms of media savvy. Though perhaps not as illustrious as, say, a stint on 60 Minutes, this interview was excellent practice for me in crafting sound bytes and not using words commonly found on the SAT. I even worked in a reference to Bono.*
We've got an exciting day lined up tomorrow, even though that day is Saturday and technically our day off. It's like they say: No rest for the interns.
*I am so pop culture impaired that Bono is the only "cool" reference I know. I try to use it only once when meeting new people, in the hope that I will seem so cool in that moment that I will never have to prove myself again. This tends to fall apart when they discover that I've never heard "Smack That" and don't know what they're talking about when they start in on McDreamy and how cute Jim and Pam are.
Actually, today was a big one for me in terms of media savvy. Though perhaps not as illustrious as, say, a stint on 60 Minutes, this interview was excellent practice for me in crafting sound bytes and not using words commonly found on the SAT. I even worked in a reference to Bono.*
We've got an exciting day lined up tomorrow, even though that day is Saturday and technically our day off. It's like they say: No rest for the interns.
*I am so pop culture impaired that Bono is the only "cool" reference I know. I try to use it only once when meeting new people, in the hope that I will seem so cool in that moment that I will never have to prove myself again. This tends to fall apart when they discover that I've never heard "Smack That" and don't know what they're talking about when they start in on McDreamy and how cute Jim and Pam are.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
I'm glad we aren't the only ones with a Dean crush!
Eileen Smith of Poll Dancing and In the Pink (what is the grammar for blog sites?) implied that most people at the Netroots Nation convention have or are going to have Dean crushes in her Obama girl post.
After he spoke to the acad today I know that we all have major Dean crushes. BBeth's introuction literally made Dean blush, and I think Lorenzo asked him to sign his pocket constitution.
After he spoke to the acad today I know that we all have major Dean crushes. BBeth's introuction literally made Dean blush, and I think Lorenzo asked him to sign his pocket constitution.
Dean makes the world sweet (he can't help himself)
As an Acad member I feel like a political insider. Speakers like Matt Dowd, and Gary Mauro are disarmed by our youth and squalid surroundings. Whether it’s Mauro tweaking his public remarks or Matt Dowd telling us *Censored by Public Strategies Representatives* speakers don’t seem to want to misrepresent the world to us.
Howard Dean- who requested not to be filmed- presented the world as a place we were obligated to change. Too long(in his mind) the last generation allowed republicans to create fear and then farm the resulting anxiety. Now, he believes people are tired of arguing issues that will never be resolved. Now, the country is ripe for the party of change.
Suprisingly, even when he was demanding commitment and public service from us he was uplifting.
Here are some examples:
*Disclaimer: these quotes come from my poorly scribbled notes and memory so they are probably mildly inaccurate.*
Howard Dean- who requested not to be filmed- presented the world as a place we were obligated to change. Too long(in his mind) the last generation allowed republicans to create fear and then farm the resulting anxiety. Now, he believes people are tired of arguing issues that will never be resolved. Now, the country is ripe for the party of change.
Suprisingly, even when he was demanding commitment and public service from us he was uplifting.
Here are some examples:
“Democracy is not the natural state of humanity. It can die like any other human
Any other human construction.”
“Voting gets you a C[as a citizen]. It’s the bare minimum.”
“Freedom doesn’t mean for politicians to tell you how to run your life. We need people that understand that.”
“Volunteering for a campaign earns you a B. Then you need to run for office.”
“I don’t believe that you need to ‘wait your turn.’…unless you can’t win.”
Any other human construction.”
“Voting gets you a C[as a citizen]. It’s the bare minimum.”
“Freedom doesn’t mean for politicians to tell you how to run your life. We need people that understand that.”
“Volunteering for a campaign earns you a B. Then you need to run for office.”
“I don’t believe that you need to ‘wait your turn.’…unless you can’t win.”
*Disclaimer: these quotes come from my poorly scribbled notes and memory so they are probably mildly inaccurate.*
Party Like a Blog Star
In my career as an intern, I've found that sometimes discretion is the better part of valor. In this case, "discretion" entailed discreetly tagging along on a stickering mission to Brush Square despite not knowing what stickering was, and "valor" the fact that said mission put me in the path of Howard Dean and a convention center full of bloggers.
It turns out that there's a little get-together called Netroots Nation going on this weekend, and a few of us at the Campaign Academy were sent over to entreat the bloggers, advocacy groups, and assorted political junkies to accept our "Turn Texas Blue" stickersand thereby pledge their eternal souls to the cause. As if the bloggers weren't incentive enough, we also learned that Howard Dean would be putting in an appearance as part of his nation-wide voter registration efforts.
I fixed my hair ninety-seven times before I would agree to get out of the car.
Unfortunately, just as the man himself was launching into a great and fascinating speech, I fell victim to the most irresistible of convention lures: swag. Tempted by the prospect of free pens and luggage tags, fellow Campaign Academician Catherine and I traipsed up to the fourth floor of the Austin Convention Center and made our way into Ballroom D. There we found a treasure trove of activist groups, worthy causes, and foam Statue of Liberty crowns-- yours truly walked away with no fewer than nine pins and a bevy of stickers, and currently resembles nothing so much as an ambulatory billboard of democracy.
I couldn't think of a good note to end this post on, but Jen Fomby has advised me to tell you all: "I notice you're pretty gangster. I'm pretty gangster myself."
It turns out that there's a little get-together called Netroots Nation going on this weekend, and a few of us at the Campaign Academy were sent over to entreat the bloggers, advocacy groups, and assorted political junkies to accept our "Turn Texas Blue" stickers
I fixed my hair ninety-seven times before I would agree to get out of the car.
Unfortunately, just as the man himself was launching into a great and fascinating speech, I fell victim to the most irresistible of convention lures: swag. Tempted by the prospect of free pens and luggage tags, fellow Campaign Academician Catherine and I traipsed up to the fourth floor of the Austin Convention Center and made our way into Ballroom D. There we found a treasure trove of activist groups, worthy causes, and foam Statue of Liberty crowns-- yours truly walked away with no fewer than nine pins and a bevy of stickers, and currently resembles nothing so much as an ambulatory billboard of democracy.
I couldn't think of a good note to end this post on, but Jen Fomby has advised me to tell you all: "I notice you're pretty gangster. I'm pretty gangster myself."
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Sarah Eckhardt was a misdemeanor prosecutor
I can not say nice enough tings about county commissioner Sarah Eckhardt. There is not glory in the County Commissioner’s court. Each commissioner represents more than 100,000 people. The county government represents all the unincorporated areas, but has almost no authority. They cannot zone. They cannot impose buffer regulations on land fills. Basically they cannot infringe on any property rights. Sarah says that this makes the county government nimble and forces them to work with other government structures. As she puts it “We can’t ram it through. We have to ask.” This statement seems to be typical of Sarah’s conversation with us: cute, highly informative, and accidentally risqué. At one point Sarah told us that she had been a misdemeanor prosecutor, and I could have sworn she said misdemeanor prostitutor.
Before Sarah came we were having a spirited conversation about drugs, gangs, and creative solutions. By spirited conversation I mean that I proposed a ludicrous solution (lets just legalize drugs….all of them) which was shot down by the rest of academy. Pretty much a typical morning at the Campaign Academy..
Turns out our morning was a pretty good warm-up for our lunch. At the end of our talk Sarah presented a common problem that the Commissioner’s court faces: the Travis county health district chose a spot in a low crime neighborhood for a publicly funded rehab center…without consulting the neighborhood. Now, the neighborhood is up in arms insisting that the clinic will lower neighborhood property values and increase the crime rate. Sarah argues the directing non-violent offenders away from jail and into treatment will improve our community. Once again the court will have to navigate the intersection of property rights and the society’s welfare.
When Matt Dowd came to the academy(Acad for short) he told us that he didn’t believe that fundamental change could be implemented on the national level. It needs to begin on the local level. Dowd, always the hippie, pointed out that Jesus and Buddha changed the world without ever traveling beyond a 30 mile radius. At least I think that’s what he said. Anyway, I think Sarah Eckhardt is an example of a person who is at least trying to start change at the local level.
Before Sarah came we were having a spirited conversation about drugs, gangs, and creative solutions. By spirited conversation I mean that I proposed a ludicrous solution (lets just legalize drugs….all of them) which was shot down by the rest of academy. Pretty much a typical morning at the Campaign Academy..
Turns out our morning was a pretty good warm-up for our lunch. At the end of our talk Sarah presented a common problem that the Commissioner’s court faces: the Travis county health district chose a spot in a low crime neighborhood for a publicly funded rehab center…without consulting the neighborhood. Now, the neighborhood is up in arms insisting that the clinic will lower neighborhood property values and increase the crime rate. Sarah argues the directing non-violent offenders away from jail and into treatment will improve our community. Once again the court will have to navigate the intersection of property rights and the society’s welfare.
When Matt Dowd came to the academy(Acad for short) he told us that he didn’t believe that fundamental change could be implemented on the national level. It needs to begin on the local level. Dowd, always the hippie, pointed out that Jesus and Buddha changed the world without ever traveling beyond a 30 mile radius. At least I think that’s what he said. Anyway, I think Sarah Eckhardt is an example of a person who is at least trying to start change at the local level.
Observation
Ian Davis dreams big.
Every time I see Ian he’s selling another big dream, whether it’s Obama taking Texas in November or the Campaign Academy “burning through the Travis county universe” and then making calls to Houston or Corpus.
Even his language is otherworldly. Words like mega, awesome, and universe pepper his conversation. Honestly it’s pretty motivating(which I think is his goal.)
Every time I see Ian he’s selling another big dream, whether it’s Obama taking Texas in November or the Campaign Academy “burning through the Travis county universe” and then making calls to Houston or Corpus.
Even his language is otherworldly. Words like mega, awesome, and universe pepper his conversation. Honestly it’s pretty motivating(which I think is his goal.)
Failure to Launch (But Not to Lunch)
When the morning's block-walking efforts up in Wells Branch were stymied by a surprise lack of lit, stranding us in the home of host Jimmy Talarico and his family until help or pizza could arrive, the plucky interns of Campaign Academy knew exactly what to do.
"Right hand red!"
"Wait, is that everybody's hand or just my hand?"
"I'd love to see this game played with a group of yoga instructors ..."
Twister was preceded by an exceedingly democratic game of Catch Phrase: Instead of creating needless division by picking teams (boys against girls, every other person, everyone against Lorenzo), we passed around the little electronic timer and focused on the sheer joy of guessing. Afterwards, we caught The Breakfast Club on TV while lunching on Mexican Ole pizza, broadening this intern's horizons with the revelation that people actually make and serve Mexican Ole pizza.
Then Grant showed up with the flyers and we hit the streets, but not before I swore to start dying my hair red and serving excessive Saturday detention sentences.
"Right hand red!"
"Wait, is that everybody's hand or just my hand?"
"I'd love to see this game played with a group of yoga instructors ..."
Twister was preceded by an exceedingly democratic game of Catch Phrase: Instead of creating needless division by picking teams (boys against girls, every other person, everyone against Lorenzo), we passed around the little electronic timer and focused on the sheer joy of guessing. Afterwards, we caught The Breakfast Club on TV while lunching on Mexican Ole pizza, broadening this intern's horizons with the revelation that people actually make and serve Mexican Ole pizza.
Then Grant showed up with the flyers and we hit the streets, but not before I swore to start dying my hair red and serving excessive Saturday detention sentences.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Carry On, My Wayward Blog
Well, it's been a long break for yours truly-- an epic, action-packed, mile-a-minute week of driving my out-of-town relations back and forth from Ross to TJ-Maxx. Back at the Campaign Academy "ranch," it looks like I missed out on some pretty cool happenings: visits from Evan Smith, Paul Burka, Matthew Dowd, and a small contingent of bloggers (including the illustrious Eileen Smith of In the Pink Texas). But you know what? I'm not bitter.
I've got data entry.
Yeah, that's right. Forget about the glamor of political celebrity and the pure adrenaline rush of blogging; I'm sitting behind a cubicle wall trying to figure out what to do when voters check off "yes" under sex. Are they subversive or just really enthusiastic? Will this be mistaken for a campaign promise of some kind? Is "9 Hell Cirlc" a street in Austin, or an occult tome from Hellraiser III? These are questions that I can't answer.
Not without a much, much deeper knowledge of handwriting analysis.
I've got data entry.
Yeah, that's right. Forget about the glamor of political celebrity and the pure adrenaline rush of blogging; I'm sitting behind a cubicle wall trying to figure out what to do when voters check off "yes" under sex. Are they subversive or just really enthusiastic? Will this be mistaken for a campaign promise of some kind? Is "9 Hell Cirlc" a street in Austin, or an occult tome from Hellraiser III? These are questions that I can't answer.
Not without a much, much deeper knowledge of handwriting analysis.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Haught for Vaught in Dist. 107
Although I definitely missed walking through the sauna-esque temperatures of the TCDP Headquarters, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed my D-Town blockwalking excursion.
After only a few Dallas driving mishaps (getting lost, driving the wrong way on a one way, swerving to avoid getting crushed by an SUV...), we finally reached Vaught's targeted precinct. Michael and I knocked on 50+ doors, speaking candidly about the candidate, like we had known him for years (or atleast had been campaigning for him for years).
"Allen Vaught is the Democratic candidate running for re-election as State Representative this November. He is an Iraq war veteran and a Dallas attorney who stands for strong public education, clean air and water, as well as insurance reform. We would really appreciate your vote this November 5th."
We memorized the his basic campaign material, walked and repeated.
Though most people weren't aware that they even had a State Rep., everyone was friendly and gracious (we did only knock on D doors). I can honestly say that I am confident that the voters we reached will go down ballot for Allen Vaught.
(Sorry. I don't mean to be haughty.)
After only a few Dallas driving mishaps (getting lost, driving the wrong way on a one way, swerving to avoid getting crushed by an SUV...), we finally reached Vaught's targeted precinct. Michael and I knocked on 50+ doors, speaking candidly about the candidate, like we had known him for years (or atleast had been campaigning for him for years).
"Allen Vaught is the Democratic candidate running for re-election as State Representative this November. He is an Iraq war veteran and a Dallas attorney who stands for strong public education, clean air and water, as well as insurance reform. We would really appreciate your vote this November 5th."
We memorized the his basic campaign material, walked and repeated.
Though most people weren't aware that they even had a State Rep., everyone was friendly and gracious (we did only knock on D doors). I can honestly say that I am confident that the voters we reached will go down ballot for Allen Vaught.
(Sorry. I don't mean to be haughty.)
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Point and Counterpoint
When Gary Mauro visited the Academy, he claimed that for Obama to win...or at least win with a wide margin, he requires Senator Clinton to run as the VP on the ticket.
Mauro reasoned that Obama needs the many voters who will either vote for McCain or not vote at all due to their strong allegiance to Clinton. For Obama to form a coalition with Clinton would be the smartest move; for Clinton to run as VP may almost be a sacrifice since more power lies in the seat of a New York senator. Therefore, together they can secure many more votes, and Obama will have the added benefit of having a woman of experience on his side.
Matthew Dowd disagrees.
Dowd claimed that even though the primary was extremely polarized, the situation is reasonable calm at the moment. Obama doesn't need Clinton to win...in fact, she may be a deterrent. His brand of "change" and "hope" would be soiled. No part of having the wife of a past president who has been serving as a senator for the past 7 years carries a message of "change." It is a mantra of the old White House, an image that does not fit Obama's message.
Personally, I don't know which side I support. However, I am sure the brilliance of the winning side will be revealed in hindsight...as it always is.
Mauro reasoned that Obama needs the many voters who will either vote for McCain or not vote at all due to their strong allegiance to Clinton. For Obama to form a coalition with Clinton would be the smartest move; for Clinton to run as VP may almost be a sacrifice since more power lies in the seat of a New York senator. Therefore, together they can secure many more votes, and Obama will have the added benefit of having a woman of experience on his side.
Matthew Dowd disagrees.
Dowd claimed that even though the primary was extremely polarized, the situation is reasonable calm at the moment. Obama doesn't need Clinton to win...in fact, she may be a deterrent. His brand of "change" and "hope" would be soiled. No part of having the wife of a past president who has been serving as a senator for the past 7 years carries a message of "change." It is a mantra of the old White House, an image that does not fit Obama's message.
Personally, I don't know which side I support. However, I am sure the brilliance of the winning side will be revealed in hindsight...as it always is.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Exerpts from Amy's Journal..... 7/8/08
Daily Journal:
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
http://blogs.kxan.com/kxanonline/
http://austinist.com/2008/04/08/local_political.php
http://pinkdome.com/
http://www.inthepinktexas.com/
http://www.texasmonthly.com/
Today we had a blogger panel: Eileen Smith, Charlie Ray, and Paul Burka. Elieen Smith is the new online editor of Texas Monthly. Paul Burka now works under her and is also a major text contributor to the magazine. Charlie Ray is now editor of KXAN online.
Last cycle, Charlie Ray and Elaine Smith were both on the blogger’s panel for Campaign Academy because they ran their own political blogs. Today, they have both transitioned into mainstream media. Paul Burks has been writing for magazines for years and is going the other direction. This was a convergence panel.
Eileen and Charlie, both Democrats, started parallel political blogs in 2004 and each created a character to present often opposing points of view. The two authors often had meetings with each other in a space they liked to call ‘the pink room’ to discuss current political happenings. Charlie began his blog anonymously, which allowed him to say things he wouldn’t normally say in public. However, when he realized his blog had influence in political circles and was giving people serious information and a taste of opinion, he decided he should add credibility to his space and give himself a name.
When KXAN hired Charlie Ray, he believed it was the wisest decision to end his persona on Pink Dome. However when Evan Smith approached Eileen, it was because of her blog. They appreciated her insight and liked her blog character and strongly encouraged her to keep up both pursuits (working for Texas Monthly and running her In The Pink blog site). (She blogged about us after speaking today.)
All three talked about the benefits of blogging in the face of a declining print media. A vast majority of intellectually savvy twenty-somethings and younger do NOT watch television, especially for their main source of the news. The internet has given people a way to customize the content that they get, with news feeds, bookmarks and customizable home pages. People do no even actually have to go to a website to read content; it is fed into their home page.
Media has turned into a different style of reporting. It is no longer a one-to-many conversations where the news source decides what news the public is given. News has become people talking to people in groups and communities. The blogs are able to create a community of people with similar interests who wish to dialog. People are no longer willing to wait for their news; deadlines are no longer at 5:00, 6:00 and 10:00, people want their news faster, so deadlines must be every five minutes, more precisely whenever you can get the news. Charlie Ray works for a television station (KXAN) but just plain never watches it because he is in the generation who, really, only uses internet.
Reading blogs doesn’t feel like anyone is hammering you with opinion or information, because you generally agree with what you are reading. Either you skim past what you don’t believe or you go and switch blogs. Based on whether or not you read the comments, you can have more angles about the subject. Reading the comments should broaden one’s perspective.
Thought: The filter we learned about in Dr. St. Clair’s class, in which people choose what to believe, a filter that was present in even the old way of thinking, has gotten even smaller. In other words, people are more able to pick and choose what to listen to and what is truth, so they are becoming much more adept at being selective. Will this cause our society to become more narrow-minded?????
They brought up three interesting points.
1) When you blog, you don’t have to wait for a monthly publication. You can get more out, more quickly, showing more progressions of the story. Instead of doing 3 articles once a month, Paul Burka said he can do twenty articles over the month, and as people comment, he can also provide updates in his responses.
2) Blogging anonymously vs. anonymous comments: Are these freedoms good or bad? Does it allow you to be more unrestrained than you should be? It is more of a debate than an answer to a question, because to a certain extent, the freedom allows you to be more honest than you would be if you weren’t being anonymous, but then because you are anonymous, sometimes you don’t take yourself seriously enough and it doesn’t occur to you how far-reaching and how widely read you are being and so you might do damage to others’ reputations, when you figured you were merely talking to thin air.
The anonymity of when people post comments is a double-edged sword as well. People are more honest and more likely to get into a discussion with each other if they don’t have their name attached. But paid staff could get in hot water, for certain kinds of comments!!!!
Charlie Ray and Mark Strama have a running joke about Mark’s ‘inability to dress’. Charlie Ray thinks Mark’s favorite suit is tacky. This happens to be the suit Mark got married in, the most expensive suit Mark has ever purchased. Having recalled that Evan Smith writes a list of ten best and worst legislators, I suggested that Charlie Ray should start a best- and worst-dressed legislators list and then see where Mark fell. Catherine and I stuck up for Mark’s impeccable fashion sense. Eileen said that since Charlie had shut down his blog, In The Pink should strike up that debate. Charlie said they also have a joke about if Mark can’t dress better, at least he should stop looking like Patrick Rose (and give him a break).
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
http://blogs.kxan.com/kxanonline/
http://austinist.com/2008/04/08/local_political.php
http://pinkdome.com/
http://www.inthepinktexas.com/
http://www.texasmonthly.com/
Today we had a blogger panel: Eileen Smith, Charlie Ray, and Paul Burka. Elieen Smith is the new online editor of Texas Monthly. Paul Burka now works under her and is also a major text contributor to the magazine. Charlie Ray is now editor of KXAN online.
Last cycle, Charlie Ray and Elaine Smith were both on the blogger’s panel for Campaign Academy because they ran their own political blogs. Today, they have both transitioned into mainstream media. Paul Burks has been writing for magazines for years and is going the other direction. This was a convergence panel.
Eileen and Charlie, both Democrats, started parallel political blogs in 2004 and each created a character to present often opposing points of view. The two authors often had meetings with each other in a space they liked to call ‘the pink room’ to discuss current political happenings. Charlie began his blog anonymously, which allowed him to say things he wouldn’t normally say in public. However, when he realized his blog had influence in political circles and was giving people serious information and a taste of opinion, he decided he should add credibility to his space and give himself a name.
When KXAN hired Charlie Ray, he believed it was the wisest decision to end his persona on Pink Dome. However when Evan Smith approached Eileen, it was because of her blog. They appreciated her insight and liked her blog character and strongly encouraged her to keep up both pursuits (working for Texas Monthly and running her In The Pink blog site). (She blogged about us after speaking today.)
All three talked about the benefits of blogging in the face of a declining print media. A vast majority of intellectually savvy twenty-somethings and younger do NOT watch television, especially for their main source of the news. The internet has given people a way to customize the content that they get, with news feeds, bookmarks and customizable home pages. People do no even actually have to go to a website to read content; it is fed into their home page.
Media has turned into a different style of reporting. It is no longer a one-to-many conversations where the news source decides what news the public is given. News has become people talking to people in groups and communities. The blogs are able to create a community of people with similar interests who wish to dialog. People are no longer willing to wait for their news; deadlines are no longer at 5:00, 6:00 and 10:00, people want their news faster, so deadlines must be every five minutes, more precisely whenever you can get the news. Charlie Ray works for a television station (KXAN) but just plain never watches it because he is in the generation who, really, only uses internet.
Reading blogs doesn’t feel like anyone is hammering you with opinion or information, because you generally agree with what you are reading. Either you skim past what you don’t believe or you go and switch blogs. Based on whether or not you read the comments, you can have more angles about the subject. Reading the comments should broaden one’s perspective.
Thought: The filter we learned about in Dr. St. Clair’s class, in which people choose what to believe, a filter that was present in even the old way of thinking, has gotten even smaller. In other words, people are more able to pick and choose what to listen to and what is truth, so they are becoming much more adept at being selective. Will this cause our society to become more narrow-minded?????
They brought up three interesting points.
1) When you blog, you don’t have to wait for a monthly publication. You can get more out, more quickly, showing more progressions of the story. Instead of doing 3 articles once a month, Paul Burka said he can do twenty articles over the month, and as people comment, he can also provide updates in his responses.
2) Blogging anonymously vs. anonymous comments: Are these freedoms good or bad? Does it allow you to be more unrestrained than you should be? It is more of a debate than an answer to a question, because to a certain extent, the freedom allows you to be more honest than you would be if you weren’t being anonymous, but then because you are anonymous, sometimes you don’t take yourself seriously enough and it doesn’t occur to you how far-reaching and how widely read you are being and so you might do damage to others’ reputations, when you figured you were merely talking to thin air.
The anonymity of when people post comments is a double-edged sword as well. People are more honest and more likely to get into a discussion with each other if they don’t have their name attached. But paid staff could get in hot water, for certain kinds of comments!!!!
Charlie Ray and Mark Strama have a running joke about Mark’s ‘inability to dress’. Charlie Ray thinks Mark’s favorite suit is tacky. This happens to be the suit Mark got married in, the most expensive suit Mark has ever purchased. Having recalled that Evan Smith writes a list of ten best and worst legislators, I suggested that Charlie Ray should start a best- and worst-dressed legislators list and then see where Mark fell. Catherine and I stuck up for Mark’s impeccable fashion sense. Eileen said that since Charlie had shut down his blog, In The Pink should strike up that debate. Charlie said they also have a joke about if Mark can’t dress better, at least he should stop looking like Patrick Rose (and give him a break).
Monday, July 7, 2008
Exerpts from Amy's Journal..... 7/7/08
Evan Smith http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evan_Smith is editor and VP of Texas Monthly Magazine. http://www.texasmonthly.com/. He discussed the role of the media in politics today. Most of it confirmed what my professor, Dr. St. Clair, had taught us last semester in Media and Politics.
Mr. Smith said that the media should act as though it has a fiduciary responsibility to report the facts to the public. The vast majority of the American public gets one-sided news. In order to keep his own biases in check, Mr. Smith reads a vast array of publications even those in direct opposition to his own point of view. If one only reads what one already agrees with, they aren’t expanding their view. It is very easy for the media to shape public opinion, if there is only one outlet. The media has abused this power and overstepped its boundaries by using spin.
Both Hillary and Obama were misrepresented by the media. Obama was painted as extremely inexperienced. While he lacks experience in the conventional sense of politics, his community-based experience should have explained why he so easily related to people. Hillary was painted as part of the establishment and ‘anti-change’. However if she were running against anyone else, her views would have been presented as a change from the Republican status quo. The reason why Clinton supporters seemed to be having a hard time supporting Obama is that they never thought they could lose. It is the same situation as what happened in the last super bowl. No one expected Eli Manning to make a miracle pass. In the same way, everyone thought Hilary had the nomination tied up and in the bag. One possibe reason why the Clintons were blind-sided; they thought they had the dream campaigning ticket, with him helping her campaign.
Smith didn’t talk about why Obama had a ‘Eli Manning miracle’, but here is my speculation… He had the miracle because of the youth turnout. No one ever expects youth to turn out in measurable numbers. Consultants and political candidates don’t know how to cater to us. This is unprecedented and all the political pundits don’t know what to do. All the conventional measures and tools cannot be used to determine where we will show up or how we will vote. As Evan Smith said, “this is more than just the average transformational election. The pendulum will not swing back. Politics will never be the same again.”
The media is in love with Obama. They have one characterization of him. Per Smith…“School-girl/ put notes in his locker/ send him flowers/ start a scrapbook in love with Obama”. They feel badly for how they treated Kerry on flip-flopping, plus they were criticized harshly by the public last election, plus they like Obama, so this election they’re giving him a ‘pass’ for any flip-flopping.
These candidates are not moving in the eyes of the press the way most candidates should move. Obama would like to be able to develop his positions as public opinion demands it and as situations change, but the media is getting angry because he is starting to differ from their fairy tale image that they have created for him. The same goes for Hillary as ‘the horrible establishment’, the media wants her to live up to that so much that it shouldn’t include her campaigning for Obama. They want her out of the picture and she keeps trying to fight her way back in.
I agree with Evan Smith’s take on the unity of the parties; the media is worried about the unity of the Democrats, but when you look at each candidates’ platform, the Democrats agree on 98% of the issues. However, when you look at the race as a whole, it’s not the Democrats who should be worried, it’s McCain. Even when the Republican nomination had officially been handed to Texas, he only won by 52%. 48% of Texas does not like where he stands on the issues. A deep red state doesn’t like McCain; he has a problem. He needs to be creating unity, like Obama has.
Even if Obama doesn’t win, the turnout he’ll create will help in down ballot races. Noreiga’s race will help Obama’s race because Hispanic turnout will spike in Texas, not the other way around. McCain will not help with turnout of Republicans because too many Republicans are dissatisfied with the nominee.
I asked Evan Smith if he thinks the media is too one-sided in it’s opinion. I commented that when I read one news source for several months, I felt like the same opinion was being hammered into me whether I liked it or not. If I were reading by choice, I would have stopped reading (yet this was for my term paper on the AAS Democratic election where they clearly wanted Obama over Clinton). He agreed and said this is why most of the public is disenchanted with the main-stream media and has stopped reading it. He told me to ask the blogger panel the same question, tommorrow.
Mr. Smith said that the media should act as though it has a fiduciary responsibility to report the facts to the public. The vast majority of the American public gets one-sided news. In order to keep his own biases in check, Mr. Smith reads a vast array of publications even those in direct opposition to his own point of view. If one only reads what one already agrees with, they aren’t expanding their view. It is very easy for the media to shape public opinion, if there is only one outlet. The media has abused this power and overstepped its boundaries by using spin.
Both Hillary and Obama were misrepresented by the media. Obama was painted as extremely inexperienced. While he lacks experience in the conventional sense of politics, his community-based experience should have explained why he so easily related to people. Hillary was painted as part of the establishment and ‘anti-change’. However if she were running against anyone else, her views would have been presented as a change from the Republican status quo. The reason why Clinton supporters seemed to be having a hard time supporting Obama is that they never thought they could lose. It is the same situation as what happened in the last super bowl. No one expected Eli Manning to make a miracle pass. In the same way, everyone thought Hilary had the nomination tied up and in the bag. One possibe reason why the Clintons were blind-sided; they thought they had the dream campaigning ticket, with him helping her campaign.
Smith didn’t talk about why Obama had a ‘Eli Manning miracle’, but here is my speculation… He had the miracle because of the youth turnout. No one ever expects youth to turn out in measurable numbers. Consultants and political candidates don’t know how to cater to us. This is unprecedented and all the political pundits don’t know what to do. All the conventional measures and tools cannot be used to determine where we will show up or how we will vote. As Evan Smith said, “this is more than just the average transformational election. The pendulum will not swing back. Politics will never be the same again.”
The media is in love with Obama. They have one characterization of him. Per Smith…“School-girl/ put notes in his locker/ send him flowers/ start a scrapbook in love with Obama”. They feel badly for how they treated Kerry on flip-flopping, plus they were criticized harshly by the public last election, plus they like Obama, so this election they’re giving him a ‘pass’ for any flip-flopping.
These candidates are not moving in the eyes of the press the way most candidates should move. Obama would like to be able to develop his positions as public opinion demands it and as situations change, but the media is getting angry because he is starting to differ from their fairy tale image that they have created for him. The same goes for Hillary as ‘the horrible establishment’, the media wants her to live up to that so much that it shouldn’t include her campaigning for Obama. They want her out of the picture and she keeps trying to fight her way back in.
I agree with Evan Smith’s take on the unity of the parties; the media is worried about the unity of the Democrats, but when you look at each candidates’ platform, the Democrats agree on 98% of the issues. However, when you look at the race as a whole, it’s not the Democrats who should be worried, it’s McCain. Even when the Republican nomination had officially been handed to Texas, he only won by 52%. 48% of Texas does not like where he stands on the issues. A deep red state doesn’t like McCain; he has a problem. He needs to be creating unity, like Obama has.
Even if Obama doesn’t win, the turnout he’ll create will help in down ballot races. Noreiga’s race will help Obama’s race because Hispanic turnout will spike in Texas, not the other way around. McCain will not help with turnout of Republicans because too many Republicans are dissatisfied with the nominee.
I asked Evan Smith if he thinks the media is too one-sided in it’s opinion. I commented that when I read one news source for several months, I felt like the same opinion was being hammered into me whether I liked it or not. If I were reading by choice, I would have stopped reading (yet this was for my term paper on the AAS Democratic election where they clearly wanted Obama over Clinton). He agreed and said this is why most of the public is disenchanted with the main-stream media and has stopped reading it. He told me to ask the blogger panel the same question, tommorrow.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Hittin' the streets.
We at the Campaign Academy block-walked for the first time late last week, and since then, we've been burnin' up the pavement. We've been walking around the east side this week, passing out literature for a Democratic block party at the Coordinated Campaign headquarters, that is coming up on the 22nd of this month. It's made me look at my devotion to this party in a whole different way ... who in their right mind block-walks in the 98+ degree heat to put little pieces of paper on people's doors?
People who love the Democratic party, that's who. I've been out twice today already, and I can tell you I'm on fire for the party.
Figuratively and literally.
People who love the Democratic party, that's who. I've been out twice today already, and I can tell you I'm on fire for the party.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Bringing Sexy Back
It should come as no surprise to the informed reader that, in working in Texas politics this summer, the word we interns hear more often than any other is "sexy."
"The smaller down-ballot races are not the sexy ones," one campaign manager told us during yesterday's lunch, while another guest speaker warned, "Some people don't think that life and liberty are very sexy."
Who knew that a dearth of sex appeal would be such an issue in down-ballot state races? In an attempt to redress this glaring problem, I have thoughtfully compiled a list of ways to "sexy up" your own bid for not-so-prestigious elected office:
Consider selecting "Sexy Back" by Justin Timberlake as your campaign song. Not only is it the definitive sexy pop anthem, but it also makes for a catchy attack ad through its assertion that your opponents "don't know how to act."
Send out mailers that feature your vacation pictures with Bono. Photoshop skills a plus.
Try to finagle an endorsement from the National Union of Victoria's Secret Models.
Don't lose heart, bottom-of-the-ballotters! Your fight for glamor and glitz has only just begun. Just remember: One campaign's "misunderstanding of the term 'sexy' in its application to local races" is another campaign's "calendar shoot."
"The smaller down-ballot races are not the sexy ones," one campaign manager told us during yesterday's lunch, while another guest speaker warned, "Some people don't think that life and liberty are very sexy."
Who knew that a dearth of sex appeal would be such an issue in down-ballot state races? In an attempt to redress this glaring problem, I have thoughtfully compiled a list of ways to "sexy up" your own bid for not-so-prestigious elected office:
Don't lose heart, bottom-of-the-ballotters! Your fight for glamor and glitz has only just begun. Just remember: One campaign's "misunderstanding of the term 'sexy' in its application to local races" is another campaign's "calendar shoot."
Working hard or hardly working?
As much as I like to convince my friends that I am working from 10 to 6 every day, blistered from block walking and disheartened by opening the political Pandora's box, I cannot help but enjoy every minute of the Campaign Academy.
The video project that both defines the Campaign Academy message and invites Howard Dean to speak to the academy has been an interesting endeavor. I initially thought the amount of people interested in the project would slow us down, and eventually doom the project as a whole. I couldn't have been more wrong. The ideas and enthusiasm bouncing back and forth between the crew has been an excellent environment for creativity.
Most of all, making the video has been FUN. I could grab the online thesaurus and find a better way to say that, but how else do you describe sipping on tapioca balls while jamming out to "Toxic" on the way back from the Capitol shoot?
Fun.
And the insightful speakers have shed light on topics I had never seriously considered as political issues. Karen Huber, for example, mentioned eventually adopting the Light Rail system here in Austin.
You know it is an enriching learning experience, when you realize how much you don't know.
Anyway, here are some of the notes I took on our speakers so far to update those who have missed out:
Robert Jones-
-50% plus 1
-Not everyone registers, votes, cares, or listens!
-Don't underestimate the voter's intelligence. Don't overestimate their interest.
Kelly Fero-
-Everyone pays attention to headlines.
-Campaign in poetry. Govern in prose.
-Emotion is good when used professionally.
Jack Martin-
-People are anxious to hear about issues.
-Do not focus on turnout just for turnout. Focus on turnout for issues.
-Nationally growing sense that people want the person working on the campaign hardest. People want the underdog.
-Sad-the demise of the daily newspaper covering politics and politicians.
-What do you believe in?
Paul Steckler-
-Make people think your interested in what they say.
-Portray them-who they actually are.
-Use simple questions.
-Hours and hours and hours of extra footage.
Matt Angle-
-Elections matter.
-Winning is the point.
-Leaders have to raise money.
-Don't underestimate importance of talking to your peers.
Robert Jones pt.2-
-6 Methods of voter contact (mail, phone, door-to-door, television, radio, and internet).
-Door-to-door is the best way to win a vote but it is time consuming and laborious.
-Any vote goal under 15,000 probably doesn't need TV and radio.
-Need a field plan!
-Don't put the candidate in a situation that could detract from their dignity.
Gary Mauro-
-There's nothing your doing that hasn't been done before.
-Learn the lessons of the past. Don't reinvent the wheel.
-Every campaign brings a whole new group of people. Every cycle brings you opportunities.
-Incremental Election: technique
-Change Elections: think BIG
-Ongoing battle in politics. 3 steps forward, 1 step back.
-Barack Obama needs Hillary Clinton on the ticket to win, or to win by a much larger margin.
-Ethanol is not a silver bullet, but it is part of reforming gasoline.
-We have to govern from the center. Bush's problem is that he tried to govern from the right.
-Vice President is very powerful based on the President. It is negotiated ahead of time.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
A Future Candidate?????????
Gary Mauro has suggested that all of us could be future officials, so we're always on record. While I fully understand that everyone should always be aware of how they are perceived, there are several logical reasons why I should never run:
Obama, do you need an apprentice?
- My life is issue-based, so I would run an issue-based campaign
- I stay on message
- I care too much
- I love rhetoric
- I listen
- I'm unheard of, outside obscure circles
- Let's try something new
- Give people what they need, then what they want
- Young people are smart, AND COOL!
- Everyone counts
Obama, do you need an apprentice?
It's lunch time already?
Former Texas Land Commissioner, gubernatorial candidate, and close Clinton friend Gary Mauro came by today to give a talk that was part pep-rally, part political commentary. Mr. Mauro talked candidly about everything from working on George McGovern's and Jimmy Carter's campaigns and befriending Hillary and Bill Clinton, to being Texas Land Commissioner and taking a lead in environmental issues both in Texas and nationally.
Mr. Mauro left us with an impression that we are at the cusp of a historical election; that this is a 'change' election as opposed to an 'incremental' election. In change elections, Mr. Mauro stressed, we have to think big. He called the opportunity for change in this election as a 'leap of faith' kind of change. Mr. Mauro thinks this election is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to build a governing majority that could last for the next twenty years. To build an effective governing majority, Mr. Mauro said, Barack Obama needs to select Hillary Clinton as his running mate.
Mr. Mauro also gave us practical political advice. One of the biggest mistakes campaigns can make, Mr. Mauro said, is to try and reinvent the wheel. Everything has been done before, even the internet. The internet makes things easier, but we still need to be careful to not forget the lessons learned by the people who came before us. With that being said, we still need to think outside of the box and remember that everyone wants to protect the status quo at some level.
The wisdom and folksy nature of Mr. Mauro left all of us captivated. Not only did the Academy ask more questions of Mr. Mauro, but lunch was postponed due to Mr. Mauro's talk. And trust me, it takes pretty much an act of God to postpone lunch around here.
Mr. Mauro left us with an impression that we are at the cusp of a historical election; that this is a 'change' election as opposed to an 'incremental' election. In change elections, Mr. Mauro stressed, we have to think big. He called the opportunity for change in this election as a 'leap of faith' kind of change. Mr. Mauro thinks this election is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to build a governing majority that could last for the next twenty years. To build an effective governing majority, Mr. Mauro said, Barack Obama needs to select Hillary Clinton as his running mate.
Mr. Mauro also gave us practical political advice. One of the biggest mistakes campaigns can make, Mr. Mauro said, is to try and reinvent the wheel. Everything has been done before, even the internet. The internet makes things easier, but we still need to be careful to not forget the lessons learned by the people who came before us. With that being said, we still need to think outside of the box and remember that everyone wants to protect the status quo at some level.
The wisdom and folksy nature of Mr. Mauro left all of us captivated. Not only did the Academy ask more questions of Mr. Mauro, but lunch was postponed due to Mr. Mauro's talk. And trust me, it takes pretty much an act of God to postpone lunch around here.
Not So Ready For My Close-Up, Mr. DeMille
Yesterday morning, I bounced bright-eyed and bushy-tailed into Campaign Academy HQ, only to find an ominous email from Mark announcing that a news crew was coming by to do a story on Campaign Academy. Naturally, I was filled with panic. Although I am passionate about politics and the work that we do here, I am not exactly known for my discretion and palatable sound bytes, and was seized with terror that if a microphone were placed in front of me, I might accidentally say something I would later regret, like "Socialism now!" or "PATRICK ROSE WILL YOU MARRY ME."
(This of course was silly. Like I could ever regret proposing to Patrick Rose.)
When reporter Elise Hu showed up, Mark tried to help me out.
"This is Elisa, she's sort of a journalist but more of a writer and she really doesn't want to be on television ever."
Clearly, with this ringing endorsement of my camera savvy, when we broke up into groups to assemble voter registration packets, the person at my table who was randomly selected for a miniature interview was me. This went approximately as well as could be expected: I did not declare my allegiance to the Mole People or proclaim that the truth was out there, but I did ramble painfully about registering voters at this point in the election cycle and everyone knows what an important primary this was for turning out new voters blah blah blah. I actually used the word "arcane."
"I think he was just looking for you to be bouncy and cute," a fellow intern confessed, kindly, as I hyperventilated in a corner. "You know, with the pigtails."
The news story, which fortunately does not feature too much of me, can be found here. Check it out!
The pigtails are deceiving.
(This of course was silly. Like I could ever regret proposing to Patrick Rose.)
When reporter Elise Hu showed up, Mark tried to help me out.
"This is Elisa, she's sort of a journalist but more of a writer and she really doesn't want to be on television ever."
Clearly, with this ringing endorsement of my camera savvy, when we broke up into groups to assemble voter registration packets, the person at my table who was randomly selected for a miniature interview was me. This went approximately as well as could be expected: I did not declare my allegiance to the Mole People or proclaim that the truth was out there, but I did ramble painfully about registering voters at this point in the election cycle and everyone knows what an important primary this was for turning out new voters blah blah blah. I actually used the word "arcane."
"I think he was just looking for you to be bouncy and cute," a fellow intern confessed, kindly, as I hyperventilated in a corner. "You know, with the pigtails."
The news story, which fortunately does not feature too much of me, can be found here. Check it out!
The pigtails are deceiving.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Exegetical
Our afternoon speaker, John Lipscombe, is a Texas judge who has been working within various echelons of Texas’ judiciary since the early 1970s. For the most part, conversation narrowed on electing judges and the death penalty.
Gettin’ 'Em Into Office:
Texas judges, and prospective judges, seek seats through ballots. This may be counterintuitive: Judges, as impartial arbiters, may (should?) be understood as processors of raw materials that meticulously discern logical/logically causal relationships between those materials while conforming to constitutional principles. Still, the problem of electing judges—asserting a designation of legitimacy that (probably) reflects one’s own moral compass—is not remedied in the act of appointment. Equally troubling is the bipartisan political machinations plausibly present in an appointment made by a political elite—i.e. Bush’s Alito or FDR’s Court-Packing Plan (albeit a more serious case that undertook institutional reconstruction and not only appointments). Concerns that result might include whether the former or the latter case is worse on a scale of contributing to judge partiality or whether their outcomes are of equal weight. What to do ...
Lipscombe: “People have a right to vote for their judges—to gauge the capacities of the judges for themselves.”
But that doesn’t really treat the problems discussed above. So?
Lipscombe: “Look at city council races: you can tell partisanship without officially announcing it.”
I suppose the resolution is a choice of lesser evils. Judges are invariably rooted in a persuasion and so, like Lipscombe, I would prefer to entrust the selection of candidates to
(informed, transcendental forces willing) citizens, rather than proffering the temptation of opportunistic endeavors to politicians.
Sanctioning Death:
There’s really nothing I can discuss about the death penalty that hasn’t been said or isn’t an unsubstantial morsel of thought. Instead of offering some crucially naïve op-ed, I’ll dissect and relay Lipscombe’s lecture.
Amorality and its tangents:
a) The death penalty “is itself a morally corrupt thing; it’s morally unjustifiable.”
b) “If you’re saying it’s against the law to kill someone and you kill someone as an executioner, then you’re going against what you say. It’s reprehensible to believe that we as a young nation are above everything, other nations, other cultures that have been here for hundreds of years” and began using life without parole within the past century…“that we have a better way of doing this…it’s absolutely wrong.” In other words, we—states utilizing the death penalty--are operationally and morally dubious and arcane.
c) “As societies grow and evolve, we have to get above those baser instincts; we have to apply a good morality to what we’re doing.”
I changed my mind about not approaching this conversation. However, instead of diving into the debate over the penalty, I will very briefly explore what I’ve assumed is the moral scruple under consideration: the notion of state-sanctioned violence or violence period. This argument runs deeply and broadly into the realms of political ideology (liberal and republican democracy), religion (Thou shall not… and Eye for an…), and even state sponsored transgressions or omissions (atom bombs and post-9/11 national security, among many others). My perspective on the issue is complicated by views and functions of violence across time and within divergent social and political systems: (unfortunately platitudinous) M. Gandhi, J-P Sartre, and Arendt offer a lot to digest on violence used by and against the state. Admittedly, this isn't about the death penalty directly, but about violence generally. Maybe I'll come back to this if another speaker brings it up.
This is an exhausting topic.
Gettin’ 'Em Into Office:
Texas judges, and prospective judges, seek seats through ballots. This may be counterintuitive: Judges, as impartial arbiters, may (should?) be understood as processors of raw materials that meticulously discern logical/logically causal relationships between those materials while conforming to constitutional principles. Still, the problem of electing judges—asserting a designation of legitimacy that (probably) reflects one’s own moral compass—is not remedied in the act of appointment. Equally troubling is the bipartisan political machinations plausibly present in an appointment made by a political elite—i.e. Bush’s Alito or FDR’s Court-Packing Plan (albeit a more serious case that undertook institutional reconstruction and not only appointments). Concerns that result might include whether the former or the latter case is worse on a scale of contributing to judge partiality or whether their outcomes are of equal weight. What to do ...
Lipscombe: “People have a right to vote for their judges—to gauge the capacities of the judges for themselves.”
But that doesn’t really treat the problems discussed above. So?
Lipscombe: “Look at city council races: you can tell partisanship without officially announcing it.”
I suppose the resolution is a choice of lesser evils. Judges are invariably rooted in a persuasion and so, like Lipscombe, I would prefer to entrust the selection of candidates to
(informed, transcendental forces willing) citizens, rather than proffering the temptation of opportunistic endeavors to politicians.
Sanctioning Death:
There’s really nothing I can discuss about the death penalty that hasn’t been said or isn’t an unsubstantial morsel of thought. Instead of offering some crucially naïve op-ed, I’ll dissect and relay Lipscombe’s lecture.
Amorality and its tangents:
a) The death penalty “is itself a morally corrupt thing; it’s morally unjustifiable.”
b) “If you’re saying it’s against the law to kill someone and you kill someone as an executioner, then you’re going against what you say. It’s reprehensible to believe that we as a young nation are above everything, other nations, other cultures that have been here for hundreds of years” and began using life without parole within the past century…“that we have a better way of doing this…it’s absolutely wrong.” In other words, we—states utilizing the death penalty--are operationally and morally dubious and arcane.
c) “As societies grow and evolve, we have to get above those baser instincts; we have to apply a good morality to what we’re doing.”
I changed my mind about not approaching this conversation. However, instead of diving into the debate over the penalty, I will very briefly explore what I’ve assumed is the moral scruple under consideration: the notion of state-sanctioned violence or violence period. This argument runs deeply and broadly into the realms of political ideology (liberal and republican democracy), religion (Thou shall not… and Eye for an…), and even state sponsored transgressions or omissions (atom bombs and post-9/11 national security, among many others). My perspective on the issue is complicated by views and functions of violence across time and within divergent social and political systems: (unfortunately platitudinous) M. Gandhi, J-P Sartre, and Arendt offer a lot to digest on violence used by and against the state. Admittedly, this isn't about the death penalty directly, but about violence generally. Maybe I'll come back to this if another speaker brings it up.
This is an exhausting topic.
We are NOT normal...thank heavens.
It seems like ever since I got involved as a contributing voter in Texas campaigns, I've been talking about caucuses, conventions, and precincts like crazy. And it wasn't until campaign academy, and these last few months, I realized that I was not normal. It wasn't until one of our speakers drove the point home, while we were talking about targeting, I think..."YOU ARE NOT NORMAL". We political nuts are not the norm. Especially among our age range.
I've always embraced the oddity... "abnormalness", if you will, of a young person involved and truly interested in the inner workings of politics, outside of what you see on network news. But it was only in this last cycle, when my friends would ask me what I was doing over the weekend, and I would happily and with enthusiasm say, "working at the state democratic convention." At which point, I'd be asked for how long, and I'd respond, as long as I can. And then be asked how much it paid. Then I'd laugh, and say nothing....and then get asked why. Why in the world would you do this? You, a young single mom, whose free time is already precious and not very plentiful, why would you devote a whole weekend to a cause your not even getting paid for?
That question has been asked a lot here at campaign academy. What brings you here? Why are you here? And I don't think I've really gotten a good understanding of why I do this crazy political stuff I do until I started the academy. Which was pretty bad timing, cause that kinda is the first question you get asked while your here, is why your here. I guess I'm here because I care...because I want this world to be a better place for my son, to be a nation where he can afford to go to a good college, and not pay an arm and a leg to get good health care. I guess that sounds a little corny, and maybe I'm idealistic to believe that I'll play a part in getting all that accomplished. But you can try. All it takes is trying, trying to be the change you want to see in others. I know, thats a pretty over-used phrase, but it holds true, I believe.
But thats my little contribution for the day...guys, I think that would be pretty cool, to get the people who can post to the blog to write up a little wordy explanation of why they are really here, what motivates us to block-walk in 100 plus degree heat, and give up part of our summer vacation...our passion, basically.
Or maybe I just don't want to be the only one, heh.
I've always embraced the oddity... "abnormalness", if you will, of a young person involved and truly interested in the inner workings of politics, outside of what you see on network news. But it was only in this last cycle, when my friends would ask me what I was doing over the weekend, and I would happily and with enthusiasm say, "working at the state democratic convention." At which point, I'd be asked for how long, and I'd respond, as long as I can. And then be asked how much it paid. Then I'd laugh, and say nothing....and then get asked why. Why in the world would you do this? You, a young single mom, whose free time is already precious and not very plentiful, why would you devote a whole weekend to a cause your not even getting paid for?
That question has been asked a lot here at campaign academy. What brings you here? Why are you here? And I don't think I've really gotten a good understanding of why I do this crazy political stuff I do until I started the academy. Which was pretty bad timing, cause that kinda is the first question you get asked while your here, is why your here. I guess I'm here because I care...because I want this world to be a better place for my son, to be a nation where he can afford to go to a good college, and not pay an arm and a leg to get good health care. I guess that sounds a little corny, and maybe I'm idealistic to believe that I'll play a part in getting all that accomplished. But you can try. All it takes is trying, trying to be the change you want to see in others. I know, thats a pretty over-used phrase, but it holds true, I believe.
But thats my little contribution for the day...guys, I think that would be pretty cool, to get the people who can post to the blog to write up a little wordy explanation of why they are really here, what motivates us to block-walk in 100 plus degree heat, and give up part of our summer vacation...our passion, basically.
Or maybe I just don't want to be the only one, heh.
Controversy
I know that I've heard people say they default to women and minorities when voting in down ballot primaries. Now our speaker John Lipscombe tells us that in Travis county women and minorities have an estimated five point advantage. I have very mixed feelings about this and would love to hear some justifications. Baisically; comments anyone?
The Road to Heckling is Paved with Good Intentions
Any good campaign has a strong message. Most of us only remember TV ads that are funny- let's throw caution to the wind and go for the easily-entertained demographic. Here are some (very rejected) campaign slogan ideas from myself and others:
Strama Marks the Spot
Mark Strama: Not Patrick Rose
Marack Ostrama 2008
A Rose By Any Other Name Would Look Like Strama
Victoria's Dad In '08
Do You Wanna Strama Strama? Vote Mark in '08!
Holy Markeral! Strama's a Catch for State Rep!
No Marketing: Strama's a Straight Shooter
No Drama with Strama: Mark Represents ALL of District 50!
Feel free to post your own!
-Nick
Strama Marks the Spot
Mark Strama: Not Patrick Rose
Marack Ostrama 2008
A Rose By Any Other Name Would Look Like Strama
Victoria's Dad In '08
Do You Wanna Strama Strama? Vote Mark in '08!
Holy Markeral! Strama's a Catch for State Rep!
No Marketing: Strama's a Straight Shooter
No Drama with Strama: Mark Represents ALL of District 50!
Feel free to post your own!
-Nick
Prof Steckler Talks Shop-- And Listens, Too
Last Thursday at the Campaign Academy, we had Paul Steckler come and speak to us. Mr. Steckler directed the documentary we viewed on Monday, Last Man Standing. We asked him what went into his decision to base his documentary on the Texas 2002 governor and state representative races. He discussed the potential change that could have occurred with the Sanchez and Kirk races (see my last post) and the chance some of us thought we had to bring the state back into Democratic control. As we all know now, that didn't happen. In covering these races, the Rose/Green campaign came to his attention, and well, aren't we all glad he did, because it resulted in a great documentary. He also made a film called Vote for Me, and has reformed the film academy at UT and teaches there.
We asked him what the best way to get an important person to come and see us at the academy was, and he gave us the advice to ask simple questions to get the answers we want. At the end, he asked us what we would think was important in a campaign if all we had seen or heard about campaigns was what we viewed in Last Man Standing. Which I thought was really great, because he seemed genuinely interested in our views, and what we thought. We learned on one of the previous days, that in targeting for campaigns, the younger voters are generally overlooked, and efforts are more concentrated on swing voters, and other demographics. It really does speak a lot of the tide turning in politics today, that people really are listening to the opinions of the younger voters. Some of the things we mentioned were the importance of message and appearance, and connecting with voters and taking your opponent seriously.
It was great to have him here to speak to us, and we learned a great deal about what goes into documentary film making.
We asked him what the best way to get an important person to come and see us at the academy was, and he gave us the advice to ask simple questions to get the answers we want. At the end, he asked us what we would think was important in a campaign if all we had seen or heard about campaigns was what we viewed in Last Man Standing. Which I thought was really great, because he seemed genuinely interested in our views, and what we thought. We learned on one of the previous days, that in targeting for campaigns, the younger voters are generally overlooked, and efforts are more concentrated on swing voters, and other demographics. It really does speak a lot of the tide turning in politics today, that people really are listening to the opinions of the younger voters. Some of the things we mentioned were the importance of message and appearance, and connecting with voters and taking your opponent seriously.
It was great to have him here to speak to us, and we learned a great deal about what goes into documentary film making.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Fun with Rorschach
Maybe block-walking in the hundredsomething-degree heat yesterday fried a few too many of my brain cells, but does Donna Howard's district look like a dragon to you?
See, KT said it reminded him of a dragon, but to me it looks more like a manic poodle. Meanwhile, Mark's district looks like a malformed lobster, Elliott Naishtat's a puzzled ferret, and Valinda Bolton's reminds me of my mother. There are probably better maps out there, but this one is the best thing that twenty pages of Google searches turned up. (Howard's website, however, features a much larger depiction of the alleged dragon, which up close looks suspiciously like England rotated ninety degrees to the right.
Coincidence? I think not.)
ETA: Looking back over this post, the fact that I spent a Saturday afternoon Googling maps of District 48 is both alarming and way lame. I need to get invited to more parties that don't have "Democratic" at the front.
See, KT said it reminded him of a dragon, but to me it looks more like a manic poodle. Meanwhile, Mark's district looks like a malformed lobster, Elliott Naishtat's a puzzled ferret, and Valinda Bolton's reminds me of my mother. There are probably better maps out there, but this one is the best thing that twenty pages of Google searches turned up. (Howard's website, however, features a much larger depiction of the alleged dragon, which up close looks suspiciously like England rotated ninety degrees to the right.
Coincidence? I think not.)
ETA: Looking back over this post, the fact that I spent a Saturday afternoon Googling maps of District 48 is both alarming and way lame. I need to get invited to more parties that don't have "Democratic" at the front.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Texas Veep?
Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the House for these United States, has suggested that Congressman Chet Edwards be selected for the Vice Presidential nomination on the Democratic ticket. For those of you who do not know, Edwards is the U.S. Representative for the fightin' 17th. This district includes a range of land from Waco, trailing down to the Brazos Valley. In the 2006 election, Edwards defeated newcomer Republican Van Taylor. My voting decision was difficult, and for a while, I thought I would swing right. At the last second, I decided to vote for the incumbent to allow Chet Edwards to maintain his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
During his time as a national legislator, Edwards has earned seniority ranking and a position on the House Appropriations Committee. His position on this committee allows an open door for federal funding to reach Texas, and our state is in dire need. Texas is constantly being rated last, or next to last, in many different important categories: education, health care, environmental issues.
Obama/Edwards '08? This could happen, but what does that mean for Texas? Well, District 17, where many of my close friends and family reside, will lose a powerful, sometimes shifty, but hard working Congressman. Though his record has not always been consistent, Edwards has recently voted to pass legislation that favors and supports the stability of the middle class. He believes in reducing the national debt by eliminating Congressional earmarks. He also agrees that the status quo of this nation is unacceptable and requires much improvement. Having Edwards on the ballot as VP would be a great help to down ballot Democrats, encouraging straight ticket voting, however; he is a very strong member of the House of Representatives and Texans do not want to lose that representation. He has served his districts, which have been gerrymandered by Republican leadership, since 1990. He has earned tremendous amounts of respect and power as a member of Congress which leads me to believe that we may need him to maintain his position as a legislator as opposed to an executive.
During his time as a national legislator, Edwards has earned seniority ranking and a position on the House Appropriations Committee. His position on this committee allows an open door for federal funding to reach Texas, and our state is in dire need. Texas is constantly being rated last, or next to last, in many different important categories: education, health care, environmental issues.
Obama/Edwards '08? This could happen, but what does that mean for Texas? Well, District 17, where many of my close friends and family reside, will lose a powerful, sometimes shifty, but hard working Congressman. Though his record has not always been consistent, Edwards has recently voted to pass legislation that favors and supports the stability of the middle class. He believes in reducing the national debt by eliminating Congressional earmarks. He also agrees that the status quo of this nation is unacceptable and requires much improvement. Having Edwards on the ballot as VP would be a great help to down ballot Democrats, encouraging straight ticket voting, however; he is a very strong member of the House of Representatives and Texans do not want to lose that representation. He has served his districts, which have been gerrymandered by Republican leadership, since 1990. He has earned tremendous amounts of respect and power as a member of Congress which leads me to believe that we may need him to maintain his position as a legislator as opposed to an executive.
And so it begins...
This week has been a very exciting one. We have learned all sorts of information from local politicos, elected officials, and all-around interesting people. After absorbing as much information as possible and listening to inspirational speeches, we are finally ready to get out in the field.
Later today we will be doing our first lit drop in Mark's district. It will be very exciting to actually get out in the heat and do something to put all this wonderful information we have learned to use.
Later today we will be doing our first lit drop in Mark's district. It will be very exciting to actually get out in the heat and do something to put all this wonderful information we have learned to use.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Robert Jones-First Day Rundown
"Try to be the campaign that makes the next to last mistake."
-Michael Shannon
Robert Jones, Political Director for Annie's List, spoke to the Campaign Academy in a three-hour cram session, laying out the foundation of local political campaigns. He reported on what positions and duties fell into a campaign and then shifted gears into campaign strategy.
50% plus one is all you need. The key is having a plan to achieve the simple majority. This includes two elements we focused on: fundraising and targeting.
Face-to-face and phone fundraising is most effective for candidates, and Jones took the Campaign Academy through the process of "Making the Ask". Important elements included establishing a succinct campaign message and proving the candidate's viability before asking for a specific dollar amount.
The resources for each candidate include the following three things: people, money, and time. Targeting simply prioritizes these resources, using them only on people who are undecided, or could be easily swayed to vote for a specific candidate.
By targeting key voters and viewing previous voter history, resources are used effectively, and the persuasion percent (percentage of voters that are persuadable) is convinced, if you were to vote for your candidate.
Calculating and formulaic, this effective political formula is often viewed as a pernicious but necessary evil. An effective politician does not lose. The idealism is lost with the business model for a political campaign, but ideals do not pay the bills or the staff. They do, however, help us sleep at night and wake up each morning.
The real courage lies in those who know the system, manipulate the system, and still wake up idealistic.
I will not naively generalize Representative Strama as a "good guy," because I believe there is innate good in the heart of the richest, cheating, son-of-a-gun, mudslinging politician. But Mark has displayed a genuine interest in education, not only through legislation and voting history, but also in this Campaign Academy. Though we are his resource, he runs the Campaign Academy like a constant classroom. I think we know where he stands on education.
Mystery man Fero talks to academy
In a single article, The Statesman called our Tuesday lunch speaker Kelly Fero “shadowy," “invisible," and “clandestine."
Political consultant/ex-paid journalist/renegade blogger Fero talked with us about role of media in society. I think he was supposed to talk to us about press releases, but after Strama used Obama as an example of a candidate that knew how to “massage the media” (ew?) our group sort of exploded into debate. We talked about the rhetorical importance of an article’s lead. How in merely choosing the order of facts in her story a reporter can exhibit her values. Then we talked about the obligation of reporters to their community. By the way when I say we talked I do mean We Talked. Fero never actually lectured us. He just sat down and let us ask questions. Some of us believed that newspapers ought to be a source of facts to the public. The idea of objectivity is fairly new and American. In Europe a newspapers particular slant is common knowledge, and in the 19th and 18th century newspapers practically embraced their slant: advertising themselves as abolitionist or conservative rags. The idea of objectivity seems blatantly false, and misleading. Reading one account is never enough to get the full picture.
Another motif in Campaign Academy discussions is immigration. There is a lot of righteous indignation over the Republicans' use of immigration as a wedge issue. Fero said that it was “sad” that immigration had “gone from an issue that candidates dropped six months after election to a potential wall."
Political consultant/ex-paid journalist/renegade blogger Fero talked with us about role of media in society. I think he was supposed to talk to us about press releases, but after Strama used Obama as an example of a candidate that knew how to “massage the media” (ew?) our group sort of exploded into debate. We talked about the rhetorical importance of an article’s lead. How in merely choosing the order of facts in her story a reporter can exhibit her values. Then we talked about the obligation of reporters to their community. By the way when I say we talked I do mean We Talked. Fero never actually lectured us. He just sat down and let us ask questions. Some of us believed that newspapers ought to be a source of facts to the public. The idea of objectivity is fairly new and American. In Europe a newspapers particular slant is common knowledge, and in the 19th and 18th century newspapers practically embraced their slant: advertising themselves as abolitionist or conservative rags. The idea of objectivity seems blatantly false, and misleading. Reading one account is never enough to get the full picture.
Another motif in Campaign Academy discussions is immigration. There is a lot of righteous indignation over the Republicans' use of immigration as a wedge issue. Fero said that it was “sad” that immigration had “gone from an issue that candidates dropped six months after election to a potential wall."
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Jack Martin Skips the Razzle-Dazzle and Delivers the Goods
So I'll admit it: I'm kind of a traitor. Though a resident of the state of Texas, I opted to attend college in southern California-- an act of base ingratitude that broke the heart of every diehard Texan I know.
"What's wrong with UT?" they ask me, lower lips quivering in hurt and bewilderment. I never know exactly how to answer them, but profuse apologies and fervent hopes that the Horns "hook them" are usually involved.
One downside of being all the way in "exotic" California, as one UT friend put it, is that I'm a little isolated from Texas politics. Not really knowing who's who or what's going on, I am forced to take my cues off of other people, adopting their enthusiasm or disdain as my own and pretending it's coming from a place of actual knowledge.
Imagine my gratitude, then, when opposition researcher and guest speaker Jason Stanford indicated exactly how I should feel about Jack Martin, who came today to visit with the Campaign Academy during our lunch hour, through his wide-eyed and slightly breathless declaration that we were extraordinarily lucky to be graced with a rare Jack Martin sighting and even-rarer dispensation of Jack Martin political knowledge. Jack Martin, he said, was the last and best hope for a Texas Democrat seeking statewide office, and one of the smartest people we would ever meet.
Based on this slightly star-struck reaction, I was sort of expecting a combination of Yoda, Justin Timberlake, and Jesus Christ. (The normal-looking guy in the suit who ended up being Martin kind of threw me.) But once he started talking, I started getting it: Though not bathed in a golden glow, Martin knows his stuff. Between anecdotes about important political events in Texas-- like turning his college town wet in the early 70s-- Martin dispensed such down-to-earth advice as "don't count on a surge of new voters as a recipe for victory" and "if you're denying before noon you're in trouble." Nothing flashy, no complex statistics or algebraic formulas; just solid, no-nonsense analyses that pierced through the illusions and needlessly complicated political stratagems that Democratic candidates especially have a tendency to fall victim to. Is Martin a rock star, a minor deity, the messiah we've all been waiting for?
I couldn't tell you.
But I'd sure trust him with my campaign: I may have been out of state for so long that I practically need a passport to get back in, but I do know that in a place as crazy as Texas, you need a guy who's got a good head on his shoulders.
"What's wrong with UT?" they ask me, lower lips quivering in hurt and bewilderment. I never know exactly how to answer them, but profuse apologies and fervent hopes that the Horns "hook them" are usually involved.
One downside of being all the way in "exotic" California, as one UT friend put it, is that I'm a little isolated from Texas politics. Not really knowing who's who or what's going on, I am forced to take my cues off of other people, adopting their enthusiasm or disdain as my own and pretending it's coming from a place of actual knowledge.
Imagine my gratitude, then, when opposition researcher and guest speaker Jason Stanford indicated exactly how I should feel about Jack Martin, who came today to visit with the Campaign Academy during our lunch hour, through his wide-eyed and slightly breathless declaration that we were extraordinarily lucky to be graced with a rare Jack Martin sighting and even-rarer dispensation of Jack Martin political knowledge. Jack Martin, he said, was the last and best hope for a Texas Democrat seeking statewide office, and one of the smartest people we would ever meet.
Based on this slightly star-struck reaction, I was sort of expecting a combination of Yoda, Justin Timberlake, and Jesus Christ. (The normal-looking guy in the suit who ended up being Martin kind of threw me.) But once he started talking, I started getting it: Though not bathed in a golden glow, Martin knows his stuff. Between anecdotes about important political events in Texas-- like turning his college town wet in the early 70s-- Martin dispensed such down-to-earth advice as "don't count on a surge of new voters as a recipe for victory" and "if you're denying before noon you're in trouble." Nothing flashy, no complex statistics or algebraic formulas; just solid, no-nonsense analyses that pierced through the illusions and needlessly complicated political stratagems that Democratic candidates especially have a tendency to fall victim to. Is Martin a rock star, a minor deity, the messiah we've all been waiting for?
I couldn't tell you.
But I'd sure trust him with my campaign: I may have been out of state for so long that I practically need a passport to get back in, but I do know that in a place as crazy as Texas, you need a guy who's got a good head on his shoulders.
(Re)New(ed) Beginnings
The third incarnation of Campaign Academy began two days ago. Mark Strama commenced with a welcome speech that defined one of the fundamental elements of campaigning: the elevator speech--a project of expeditiousness. Each academician was given 20-30 seconds to introduce themselves and their (life, momentary, and otherwise) objectives, allowing for a quick getting-to-know-you session and also serving to demonstrate one of the many pressures politicians face while vote-seeking.
My favorite speaker of the day arrived shortly after intros. Rafael Anchia, a Dallas-area Texas state representative, shared a few anecdotes that informed his policy interests and understanding of democratic practice. Son of Mexican and Spanish immigrants, Rep. Anchia offered a refreshing perspective on labor, immigration, and constituent (whether citizen or no) representation issues. His lecture, despite its straightforwardness, presented a sophisticated and nuanced narrative of his negotiation between issues constituted by past, present, and future. In terms of party advancement in the region, he certainly appeals to the shift in demography and its concomitant policy concerns.
Ian Davis, our noontime speaker, introduced us to the Turn Texas Blue Campaign and explained what we’ll be doing with it. The campaign, as its name implies, is a project to get democrats (back) into office. Ian established one big objective for the TTBC: 2010 is, in effect, the not-so-distant bull’s eye marking a sweep of Texas state democratic victories.
My favorite speaker of the day arrived shortly after intros. Rafael Anchia, a Dallas-area Texas state representative, shared a few anecdotes that informed his policy interests and understanding of democratic practice. Son of Mexican and Spanish immigrants, Rep. Anchia offered a refreshing perspective on labor, immigration, and constituent (whether citizen or no) representation issues. His lecture, despite its straightforwardness, presented a sophisticated and nuanced narrative of his negotiation between issues constituted by past, present, and future. In terms of party advancement in the region, he certainly appeals to the shift in demography and its concomitant policy concerns.
Ian Davis, our noontime speaker, introduced us to the Turn Texas Blue Campaign and explained what we’ll be doing with it. The campaign, as its name implies, is a project to get democrats (back) into office. Ian established one big objective for the TTBC: 2010 is, in effect, the not-so-distant bull’s eye marking a sweep of Texas state democratic victories.
License and Registrar ... Shun.
It may be only our third day in session at Campaign Academy, but I want to let it be known that yours truly is already moving up in the world. Just yesterday, I was awarded the prestigious and coveted position of Volunteer Deputy Registrar in the State of Texas, County of Travis, meaning that not only am I charged with the task of registering Travis County voters whenever and wherever I find them, but I am practically insured against being shot by Eric Clapton. I'm still waiting for my posse and my shiny badge, which I am assured will not be coming in the mail, but in the meantime I thought I'd share a few voter registration tips that I learned from Glen Maxey, who was kind enough to drop by and anoint me yesterday afternoon:
- Make use of the hours between midnight and 4 am. Though hazy on specific policy details, the mildly inebriated can usually be persuaded to fill out voter registration forms. (Warning: First ensure that they are cogent enough to accurately recall their personal information; otherwise, you run the risk of registering voters whose social security number is "Miller Lite.")
- Remember that voter registration is clothing-optional. As we learned from Maxey's tales of registering "the most naked people in Travis County," the folks down in Hippie Hollow may believe strongly in asserting their right to public nudity, but that doesn't mean they don't also believe in casting ballots. If a situation arises that makes you uncomfortable as a registrar, consider plastering recalcitrant nudists with your candidates' bumper stickers. Turn It Blue, baby!
- In Travis County, spouses can register spouses, parents can register children, and children can register parents. Hey, Jimmy, if you write down Daddy's place of residence I'll give you a popsicle ...
Increased voter turnout is great and all, but I still won't be happy until they give me a shiny badge.
- Make use of the hours between midnight and 4 am. Though hazy on specific policy details, the mildly inebriated can usually be persuaded to fill out voter registration forms. (Warning: First ensure that they are cogent enough to accurately recall their personal information; otherwise, you run the risk of registering voters whose social security number is "Miller Lite.")
- Remember that voter registration is clothing-optional. As we learned from Maxey's tales of registering "the most naked people in Travis County," the folks down in Hippie Hollow may believe strongly in asserting their right to public nudity, but that doesn't mean they don't also believe in casting ballots. If a situation arises that makes you uncomfortable as a registrar, consider plastering recalcitrant nudists with your candidates' bumper stickers. Turn It Blue, baby!
- In Travis County, spouses can register spouses, parents can register children, and children can register parents. Hey, Jimmy, if you write down Daddy's place of residence I'll give you a popsicle ...
Increased voter turnout is great and all, but I still won't be happy until they give me a shiny badge.
Last Film Standing at GSD&M
by Kaeri Pav
On Monday, the first day of the Mark Strama Campaign Academy, we visited GSD&M IdeaCity, located on West 6th Street in downtown Austin. They were kind enough to let us use their facilities (a very nice, large, theater-style room) to view a documentary by Paul Stekler entitled Last Man Standing. It chronicles the campaigns of Tony Sanchez and Ron Kirk against Rick Perry and John Cornyn, and the race for state representative between Patrick Rose and Rick Green in District Number 45.
The film takes a closer look at the rise and fall of our "dream team" ticket for governor and senator, and what happened that made it fall. In the race for representative, the documentary looks at the dynamics between the Rose and Green campaigns, taking a person look into each party's reactions from the beginning of the race until election day.
It also talks about the great enthusiasm that was seen at the 2002 State Democratic convention in El Paso, Texas, and the huge positive energy that existed therein. I know for a fact how optimistic we all were, because that was the very first convention I attended, and very one that got me interested in Texas Democratic politics.
It was an excellent movie, giving us a lot of insight into Texas campaign politics, and a great start for what is sure to be a wonderful Strama Campaign Academy.
On Monday, the first day of the Mark Strama Campaign Academy, we visited GSD&M IdeaCity, located on West 6th Street in downtown Austin. They were kind enough to let us use their facilities (a very nice, large, theater-style room) to view a documentary by Paul Stekler entitled Last Man Standing. It chronicles the campaigns of Tony Sanchez and Ron Kirk against Rick Perry and John Cornyn, and the race for state representative between Patrick Rose and Rick Green in District Number 45.
The film takes a closer look at the rise and fall of our "dream team" ticket for governor and senator, and what happened that made it fall. In the race for representative, the documentary looks at the dynamics between the Rose and Green campaigns, taking a person look into each party's reactions from the beginning of the race until election day.
It also talks about the great enthusiasm that was seen at the 2002 State Democratic convention in El Paso, Texas, and the huge positive energy that existed therein. I know for a fact how optimistic we all were, because that was the very first convention I attended, and very one that got me interested in Texas Democratic politics.
It was an excellent movie, giving us a lot of insight into Texas campaign politics, and a great start for what is sure to be a wonderful Strama Campaign Academy.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Applications for the 2008 Campaign Academy!
The Mark Strama for State Representative Campaign Academy is a unique summer opportunity for high school and college students to work inside a high-profile campaign. You will learn the nuts and bolts of modern politics as well as the important policy questions that confront state government. Daily lunch speakers will include current and former elected officials, political consultants, university professors, and state policy experts.
Campaign Academy is dedicated to ensuring that every student has a rewarding and challenging experience, while making a difference in the political system.
General Information
Dates: June 23, 2008 - July 25, 2008
Daily Schedule (M-F, Optional Weekends): 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (lunch provided)
Location: 1107 N I-35, Austin, TX (at Travis County Democratic Coordinated Campaign HQ)
Special accommodation may be made for students with part-time summer jobs who wish to participate less than the required 8 hours per day.
Apply!
The application deadline is Tuesday, June 17th.
To apply, download the 2008 Campaign Academy Application or email the following information directly to kt@markstrama.com.
Name:
Age:
Address:
Email:
Phone:
School:
Incoming Grade:
Brief Essay:
In your brief essay of no more than 350 words, describe your interest in the Campaign Academy and in politics in general, as well as any previous experience you have in politics.
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