tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39992276246790896992024-02-20T21:08:13.862-07:00Participant-ObserverAn outlet for scholarly observations and partisan rants surrounding my participation in the 2008 Democratic National ConventionSeth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-45887729037903591822009-01-23T17:01:00.000-07:002009-01-23T17:04:03.380-07:00SHALOM Shalom shalom...You haven't lived until you've heard a rabbi's benediction echoing in a<br>football stadium.<div class="iblogger-footer"><br clear="all"/><p style="text-align:right;font-size:10px;">[Posted with <a href="http://illuminex.com/iBlogger/index.html">iBlogger</a> from my iPhone]</p><br/></div>
Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-20359797433911134692008-09-01T16:00:00.002-06:002008-09-01T16:06:00.961-06:00Signing offA few final reflections as I sign off from this blog. One is that the tension between being a participant and an observer in the convention didn't really ever get resolved. Or if it did get resolved, it was only because I became a better delegate and a worse scholar as the week went on. I was able to conduct fewer and fewer surveys, and my perspective became steadily less objective with each passing day. It was probably inevitable. I was standing just a few feet from some of my lifelong political heroes as they delivered some outstanding speeches. I was also working very closely with my fellow delegates in very emotional circumstances. It was hard not to develop strong feelings for (and in a few cases, against) them.<br /><br />I witnessed some really interesting episodes in intraparty politics. The divisions between Clinton and Obama delegates were real, if somewhat overhyped by the press, at least in Colorado. I saw some occasional ugliness along these lines, some of it bordering on physical confrontation. I also saw delegates overcoming these divisions. I believe Hillary's speech on Tuesday did much to help this (hopefully the surveys we collected will bear this out). And the Wednesday roll call, culminating with Hillary's motion to suspend the vote and nominate Obama by acclamation, during which Hillary went beyond mensch-like behavior to approach a state of grace, was particularly cathartic. I witnessed her delegates applauding and crying and being embraced by magnanimous Obama delegates. That didn't completely heal the rift -- I believe <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_10352263">a few Clinton delegates</a> are still not sure how or whether they'll vote in November -- but it took care of most of it.<br /><br />The emotions continued on Thursday night. It was a great day at Invesco, and would have been an exciting enough event without Obama's speech. Besides, we'd already heard such incredible speeches from Bill and Hillary, and from Gore. I was frankly very proud to see the pool of talent in the Democratic Party. But Obama was just amazing that night, even if everyone predicted he would be anyway. My Blackberry, usually buzzing all day long with new e-mails, fell silent, and I realized that just about every human being I knew was watching the same thing I was watching. Being in the midst of 80,000 people, participating in something that felt like part speech, part U2 concert, part megachurch revival, was just astonishing. It felt like what politics is supposed to be. It had both substance and spectacle.<br /><br />Great politicians have their own hooks. Reagan, as Peggy Noonan described him, could make you feel like he felt lucky to be with you. Bill Clinton can make you feel like he completely understands what you're going through. Obama makes you feel like you're part of a movement. I fully recognize that it's not a movement -- it's a candidacy. But it's a rare politician that can convey that feeling. Sometimes we support politicians for purely instrumental reasons -- we want lower taxes or particular favors or policies from government and figure we can get it from a particular politician. Sometimes we support politicians simply because they suck somewhat less than the people they're running against. But people actually enjoy the act of supporting Obama. You feel like you're part of something important and historical. That is rare.<br /><br />To be a delegate, particularly in a caucus state, is to be, at least for a short time, a local politician. I have to say I enjoyed the perks that came with the job: the media attention, the VIP treatment, the camaraderie with other state politicians, etc. It was good for me to quickly detox at an academic conference. My grad school advisor expressed concern that he might lose me to politics. I don't think there's much danger of that, but I do see the allure.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm trying to get back to some measure of objectivity here. I'll keep this blog on-line as a repository of my thoughts as they were happening, although I'm not likely to add to it beyond this. I do need to write down more of my experiences at the convention, and maybe I'll attempt to get something published along these lines. <br /><br />For now, I should just thank all the people who made this possible. In particular, I want to thank the six students -- Evan Corzine, Chris Fettig, Jeffrey Graves, Jeremy Montano, M.J. O'Malley, and Kelsey Yamasaki -- and one faculty member -- Steven Fisher -- who helped get me elected as a delegate. I'd also like to thank Meredith Bennett for her advice on my campaign flier. Thanks also to Emily Pierce, who apparently is responsible for my appearing on TV, and to all the thoughtful readers of this blog, who provided entertaining and informative comments all through the week. I am grateful to my co-authors Michael Heaney, Joanne Miller, and Dara Strolovitch for suggesting such an interesting convention research project, which is what led to my long journey to become a delegate in the first place. I should also thank the Obama delegates to the 1st Congressional District convention who were kind enough to pick me as their representative. A big shout out to the Denver Democratic Party, which somehow scraped together some funds to pay for its delegates' hotel rooms. And a hearty salute to Pat Waak, chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, for providing leadership and advice in what looked like a pretty frantic time.<br /><br />I will continue to write political and pop-cultural postings over at my regular blog, <a href="http://enikrising.blogspot.com">Enik Rising</a>, so feel free to read and comment over there when the mood strikes you. But for now, adieu, and thank you for visiting.Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-43514868803409673402008-09-01T10:50:00.004-06:002008-09-01T16:17:14.096-06:00Me on TV<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjob-wJn9adYJ_EYR58QSU1W1XPCuTsMTWZmtKSbcpEzsJy3TAWpnaxYGhA5hUSvDWTkt1cWuUXrV_uSW3WYZJ4azKxAPP0HfqR6p5kXiewd6KETDGuG-JA6sFU3cLPD7deNuMmjIMjY7Y/s1600-h/meontv.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjob-wJn9adYJ_EYR58QSU1W1XPCuTsMTWZmtKSbcpEzsJy3TAWpnaxYGhA5hUSvDWTkt1cWuUXrV_uSW3WYZJ4azKxAPP0HfqR6p5kXiewd6KETDGuG-JA6sFU3cLPD7deNuMmjIMjY7Y/s400/meontv.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241096434584284306" border="0" /></a>That's me and fellow delegate Awilda Marquez at 6:09 into <a href="rtsp://video1.c-span.org/archive/c08/c08_082708_clinton.rm">Bill Clinton's Wednesday address</a>.Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-2372230041017223512008-08-31T23:47:00.000-06:002008-08-31T21:47:25.700-06:00Religion and politicsOne of the big surprises of the convention for me was that I was <br>probably exposed to more religion in that week than I was in the <br>previous 10 years. Every convention session started with a prayer <br>and ended with a benediction. Same thing with every delegation <br>breakfast. So I attended three or four prayers a day for four days. <br>The party made a point of inviting a range of religious leaders to <br>deliver these prayers, so we heard from pastors, rabbis, imams, and a <br>Buddhist priestess. It was actually quite nice to hear so many <br>different types of prayers, with so many different areas of emphasis.<p>Probably due to familiarity, the prayers of the rabbis resonated the <br>most with me. The emphasis on social justice and righteousness, <br>combined with a self-effacing form of humor, just really appeals to me.<p>But yes, I was exposed to faith through my participation in a <br>Democratic convention. Whoda thunkit?Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-77277203380806679122008-08-31T22:02:00.008-06:002008-08-31T22:16:15.256-06:00Thursday picsHanging with the delegation at Invesco<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3C8cUD4CaVEMSJVTucT6R3Y388TQuET_MO7EYeCrSzGjZ64fRTJrl1YjUJTDcymUapLd0VJeNxp-L_fJxlus2xkzLzZGDTz9MMTLsvbsZN2iaHXIC1B-VcHnzfFIGQFsoM4tjgSFd3w/s1600-h/DNC_080828_1724.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3C8cUD4CaVEMSJVTucT6R3Y388TQuET_MO7EYeCrSzGjZ64fRTJrl1YjUJTDcymUapLd0VJeNxp-L_fJxlus2xkzLzZGDTz9MMTLsvbsZN2iaHXIC1B-VcHnzfFIGQFsoM4tjgSFd3w/s320/DNC_080828_1724.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240901154134975682" border="0" /></a><br />We delegates have the nicest accommodations...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSSsA5hlHXfks0WiOTI28GeSqO0LmULOi0yQC1roonkkSlQSN_dLeAgblzT0hPjEKdCJw6LEH5eYiucsq8VfRMDmM4fcHFh4wSiP70VgCG4u2H2dxPyK2QR88tM2UFZkztZ4sgBjPdOg/s1600-h/DNC_080828_1528.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSSsA5hlHXfks0WiOTI28GeSqO0LmULOi0yQC1roonkkSlQSN_dLeAgblzT0hPjEKdCJw6LEH5eYiucsq8VfRMDmM4fcHFh4wSiP70VgCG4u2H2dxPyK2QR88tM2UFZkztZ4sgBjPdOg/s320/DNC_080828_1528.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240901000887849122" border="0" /></a><br />Will.i.am<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdcEAwvpl3tJlK6vDHP7-XY2v-3m6FIgd32ZgEywOSIEBA0vv2jzdZwLVc9GLvRqBX_4iENQzfgjlmZlFSBEfQK5tIfTQrME-9KX3pbqXWVUKdDSkmM7Zf0bzvnyWKjpUnmBCiirS3sM/s1600-h/DNC_080828_1732.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdcEAwvpl3tJlK6vDHP7-XY2v-3m6FIgd32ZgEywOSIEBA0vv2jzdZwLVc9GLvRqBX_4iENQzfgjlmZlFSBEfQK5tIfTQrME-9KX3pbqXWVUKdDSkmM7Zf0bzvnyWKjpUnmBCiirS3sM/s320/DNC_080828_1732.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240900816279168962" border="0" /></a><br />Big Al!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUcSC7iyIjOFL_xI6_aN5syqk3a3AVeq7E7SqEQaoBTtN0031zq5kgB2zkP1Se4DMhL44Q8XVn2nVT7OIL7Ucqwc0KQjpkjPJ1J2q-yfD4kWiSLudXrnGxHY9C188wMonqUz_VvQ9rQc/s1600-h/DNC_080828_1844.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUcSC7iyIjOFL_xI6_aN5syqk3a3AVeq7E7SqEQaoBTtN0031zq5kgB2zkP1Se4DMhL44Q8XVn2nVT7OIL7Ucqwc0KQjpkjPJ1J2q-yfD4kWiSLudXrnGxHY9C188wMonqUz_VvQ9rQc/s320/DNC_080828_1844.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240900686811856498" border="0" /></a><br />Rep. Diana DeGette and former Denver Mayor Federico Peña<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtlCalpdq-HWOX90zHOc1CpXxx3jbmC1hHSsNGSxUrtyHcfL6AzF5EPu6ZdOE3xmUOmJTJTy2mr7iLCA-2uRgUKllZ_hXMzBZt20jqWJSD0CyHlbacIAqO149LtipAWokGn29tl1JxdY/s1600-h/DNC_080828_1902.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtlCalpdq-HWOX90zHOc1CpXxx3jbmC1hHSsNGSxUrtyHcfL6AzF5EPu6ZdOE3xmUOmJTJTy2mr7iLCA-2uRgUKllZ_hXMzBZt20jqWJSD0CyHlbacIAqO149LtipAWokGn29tl1JxdY/s320/DNC_080828_1902.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240899836790483138" border="0" /></a><br />Gray Davis? Hanging with the Coloradans?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxteHwi1W7jZZlX3PhaNushof4VSXIMVrlOMardOQGqcfWJvnz1tUuSnerUJAsZjar3NVN0KTkx1YhhMC5DNW6QNHE4QsRXD1ESgXaL06nwbzkLHMb1wbPzIOhQpP_mI3g98q8Lyu60RU/s1600-h/DNC_080828_1933.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxteHwi1W7jZZlX3PhaNushof4VSXIMVrlOMardOQGqcfWJvnz1tUuSnerUJAsZjar3NVN0KTkx1YhhMC5DNW6QNHE4QsRXD1ESgXaL06nwbzkLHMb1wbPzIOhQpP_mI3g98q8Lyu60RU/s320/DNC_080828_1933.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240899662161493586" border="0" /></a><br />Delegates staying on message...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmplax2IzqjVNUS3G3EThrPT1WamE-RiJK0Sub9yrUsEE_Tg8TdqtExp0sJbyn_TaWCNd33E2ZuaPMft3Jf23XubBVf6qG_uuPyqSKLho0PxjMmT4mHA5VJP3LFjYdFyVHMu1CVB4uoA/s1600-h/DNC_080828_2024.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmplax2IzqjVNUS3G3EThrPT1WamE-RiJK0Sub9yrUsEE_Tg8TdqtExp0sJbyn_TaWCNd33E2ZuaPMft3Jf23XubBVf6qG_uuPyqSKLho0PxjMmT4mHA5VJP3LFjYdFyVHMu1CVB4uoA/s320/DNC_080828_2024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240899469417339634" border="0" /></a><br />The Montana delegation enjoys the spoils of war<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6VxHTncqs3sy1nTddQXqYDBQKtnF4cESbAPdkHbZWZ1aNImkq2pqrMdGNX3nGziwQ37DM1D6zeBJcIQqqadyBOa2W2cDl9KmtZJheoDXYbxvvyRE5ooHpuk9lzQmX-Jj4Baq2iCWyHs/s1600-h/DNC_080828_2128.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6VxHTncqs3sy1nTddQXqYDBQKtnF4cESbAPdkHbZWZ1aNImkq2pqrMdGNX3nGziwQ37DM1D6zeBJcIQqqadyBOa2W2cDl9KmtZJheoDXYbxvvyRE5ooHpuk9lzQmX-Jj4Baq2iCWyHs/s320/DNC_080828_2128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240899317702961234" border="0" /></a>Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-87083503606859932312008-08-29T09:39:00.000-06:002008-08-29T09:40:10.683-06:00Palin?I know nothing about Gov. Palin, although I imagine I'll know plenty soon.<br>Still, is this a wise choice for the campaign running on experience?<br>McCain thinks Obama is risky, but he, a man in his 70s who has fought<br>multiple bouts with cancer, picks someone younger and less experienced than<br>Obama for his veep?Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-56615091095905603312008-08-29T07:01:00.002-06:002008-08-29T07:03:53.504-06:00That sucksMissed my connection at JFK. I'm now late for my morning paper presentation. Why did I fly a redeye?Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-90690913180037085372008-08-29T06:36:00.003-06:002008-08-29T07:07:24.247-06:00"Obamas Antrittsrede kaum überbewerten"I gave an interview with a French television reporter the other day. That interview was apparently translated into German by <a href="http://www.zeit.de/online/2008/35/us-demokraten-parteitag-vorbericht">Zeit Online:</a><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="google-src-text" style="direction: ltr; text-align: left;">"Man kann die Bedeutung von Obamas Antrittsrede kaum überbewerten", folgert Professor Seth Masket, Politologe an der Universität von Denver.</span><br /></blockquote><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">According to Google's translator, this is roughly what I said, translated from English to French to German to English: "You can see the importance of Obamas inaugural hardly overestimate."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">That sounds about right.</span>Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-3035673647389007102008-08-29T01:27:00.000-06:002008-08-29T01:28:31.528-06:00WhoaCharlie Rangel is on my flight.Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-7725477564276379312008-08-29T01:26:00.001-06:002008-08-31T22:17:31.622-06:00Delegate reflectionsSome things that surprised me:<p>-Hunger -- We were fed breakfast every day, but you had to really work the reception scene to get free lunches. I sometimes missed dinner since it's so hard to get on or off the convention floor after 6pm. I ate very few vegetables.</p><p>-Sobriety -- There were drinks to be had, but I was exhausted and dehydrated by the end of every day and had to be up for a 7AM delegate breakfast every morning. I really just wanted water. I'm old.</p><p>-It's good to be a gangsta -- Delegates are accorded a good deal of deference throughout the convention week, and we do lots of media interviews. Many are representing pretty sparsely populated areas and get a lot of press from their home town papers and tv stations. We get our own buses, we get lots of cool swag, members of Congress treat us as colleagues, etc. I'll miss that.</p><p>-Lots of foreign press -- I did interviews with French and Italian tv reporters as well as print journalists from Spain, China, and India. I'm guessing not too many American reporters are assigned to cover European party conventions.</p>Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-24587061600721992732008-08-28T22:04:00.000-06:002008-08-28T22:05:34.287-06:00Leaving InvescoI won't bother to spin the speech just now (except to note that it was<br>brilliant). I'm on a bus waiting to leave the stadium. The bus departure<br>is complete chaos. Dozens of buses are sitting here with their engines<br>running, burning off untold quantities of $3.80/gallon gas.Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-77310927457645833892008-08-28T20:03:00.000-06:002008-08-28T20:04:17.529-06:00Impressive crowdSeriously, when was the last time 70000 people gathered to hear<br>politicians?Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-61059977812885360402008-08-28T19:00:00.000-06:002008-08-28T19:01:34.945-06:00GoreNice Obama/Lincoln comparison. Al's been reading his Gary Wills.Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-73867357718633334112008-08-28T17:20:00.001-06:002008-08-28T17:20:53.719-06:00Will.I.am's on the teleprompterWicked cool.Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-80295207349422037322008-08-28T16:02:00.000-06:002008-08-28T16:03:31.447-06:00Sky camThere's a sky cam flying all over our heads. Very cool.<p>I keep hearing that the GOP is criticizing this as a rock concert. Damned<br>straight. What was the secret of Schwarzenegger's 2003 campaign? He made<br>politics fun. People who didn't closely follow politics wanted to get<br>involved.<p>I look around and I see people having fun. Sweating profusely, but having<br>fun.Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-37358468773162019922008-08-28T15:44:00.000-06:002008-08-28T15:45:22.310-06:00I'm inside!Holy crap this place is big. Still only about a third full. Security was<br>slow but no more stringent than at Pepsi.<p>CO has front row seats again. If I don't die of heatstroke, this will be<br>amazing.Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-7286905529440738752008-08-28T14:36:00.001-06:002008-08-28T14:36:59.932-06:00InvescoJust waiting in line...Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-15682304980764438922008-08-28T14:29:00.000-06:002008-08-28T14:30:02.573-06:00Line of the day"A working person voting for McCain is like a chicken voting for Col.<br>Sanders. He's gonna get plucked."<br>-<br>AFLCIO head this morningSeth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-11102676971718391212008-08-28T10:10:00.003-06:002008-08-28T10:21:44.468-06:00APSAA big shout out to all the political scientists who are convening today at the American Political Science Association conference in Boston. It is a shame that it overlaps with the Democratic convention (although that's actually <a href="http://www.themonkeycage.org/2008/08/bridging_the_gulf.html">the DNC's fault rather than APSA's</a>), and even more of a shame that I have to catch a redeye tonight so I can present a paper tomorrow at 10:15AM. It's likely to be ugly. Luckily, my discussant is here with me in Denver, will be a sleep-deprived as I will be, and probably won't have time to read the paper.<br /><br />Many alert readers wrote in to say that they saw me not once, but <span style="font-style: italic;">twice</span>, during last night's speeches. I'm hoping the folks at the Klugie happy hour at APSA get to see me doing my Courtney Cox dance with the Boss tonight on live TV.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://astridmjohnsen.weblogg.no/images/courtney_cox_bruce_springsteen_da_1181204402.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://astridmjohnsen.weblogg.no/images/courtney_cox_bruce_springsteen_da_1181204402.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-47465549853038311022008-08-28T09:42:00.008-06:002008-08-28T10:05:45.622-06:00Wednesday highlightsHere I am fulfilling my duty as a delegate by casting a vote for Barack Obama.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPS8iEfP_x5-4Y6MR6MlVIxiAelD3AF8RxW3aaGUR0IqLVWKdonM2ZRa6ypqW72HTjpAOQdNRSxGrnoEexbYcjkiqdHTZwTs-f3lk0xbxFz7ni9FL6LLUuQect-w5J0qFh03YEDhb3B8/s1600-h/DNC_080827_0709_01.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPS8iEfP_x5-4Y6MR6MlVIxiAelD3AF8RxW3aaGUR0IqLVWKdonM2ZRa6ypqW72HTjpAOQdNRSxGrnoEexbYcjkiqdHTZwTs-f3lk0xbxFz7ni9FL6LLUuQect-w5J0qFh03YEDhb3B8/s320/DNC_080827_0709_01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239597545811180418" border="0" /></a><br />A closeup. I was tired, but it looks like I'm about to vote the right way.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP22TtiZE8AMI8V-P5XF8fl08Wuz8okbXkRgCBtgRsyjgxsNoCFBMjNv3Qo3TAZX8-7C83heI3FtwF3uz6yFoGd0JrGPALmvmdOiQTLzndtui-KnK7O4I4d6eDQes_n9Yd4HNcaGJWtbo/s1600-h/vote+closeup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP22TtiZE8AMI8V-P5XF8fl08Wuz8okbXkRgCBtgRsyjgxsNoCFBMjNv3Qo3TAZX8-7C83heI3FtwF3uz6yFoGd0JrGPALmvmdOiQTLzndtui-KnK7O4I4d6eDQes_n9Yd4HNcaGJWtbo/s320/vote+closeup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239597291206447586" border="0" /></a><br />Big Bill speaks.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbJugAIHbMX3lth_iLwI7hm0hmofo6o0TJmfIxFRrXJ9kZahgj9Lpc8cR_-cBVNA-fzeqG-Ow0z-T49dN4dlvxL5Abl2Q2woiAzllHNjEXQTezhYnmzCdjwQwIuzVa6rNkaUtZsFmvQk/s1600-h/DNC_080827_1906.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbJugAIHbMX3lth_iLwI7hm0hmofo6o0TJmfIxFRrXJ9kZahgj9Lpc8cR_-cBVNA-fzeqG-Ow0z-T49dN4dlvxL5Abl2Q2woiAzllHNjEXQTezhYnmzCdjwQwIuzVa6rNkaUtZsFmvQk/s320/DNC_080827_1906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239596383044021586" border="0" /></a><br />Sen. Ken Salazar and state party chair Pat Waak get ready to announce Colorado's vote totals. (55 Obama, 15 Clinton)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwU0U1R8hQdYr1vzdznRcBzIf_5HWxs2uZVYz0901oiyn9NmKXYdWOA2lHIaxskNIdUmiqiTEm0dVDaWMe4GRRR4E3QJHGd7ZmYqN_R5I9c2AzQEonHCvnP97O1sj7SRKieB-WrkeyWE0/s1600-h/DNC_080827_1551.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwU0U1R8hQdYr1vzdznRcBzIf_5HWxs2uZVYz0901oiyn9NmKXYdWOA2lHIaxskNIdUmiqiTEm0dVDaWMe4GRRR4E3QJHGd7ZmYqN_R5I9c2AzQEonHCvnP97O1sj7SRKieB-WrkeyWE0/s320/DNC_080827_1551.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239596151714177058" border="0" /></a><br />The big screen, as Hillary moves to suspend the roll call vote and nominate Obama by acclamation. Awesome moment.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaYp6gdKIgvBmkOCHlIc7vxI_xB-4eIJ8c8ZRpaTpUE5ICO-BCgMrF1W5qwF595TGp-IvlNhmpy7aygwtszrM-uWf4IA8TvgguUiqT-lHH_mhji_LgVA7sJZubNZ7kwfyLX8OYi3XB1w/s1600-h/DNC_080827_1646_01.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaYp6gdKIgvBmkOCHlIc7vxI_xB-4eIJ8c8ZRpaTpUE5ICO-BCgMrF1W5qwF595TGp-IvlNhmpy7aygwtszrM-uWf4IA8TvgguUiqT-lHH_mhji_LgVA7sJZubNZ7kwfyLX8OYi3XB1w/s320/DNC_080827_1646_01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239595842321906194" border="0" /></a><br />Shutterbug Pat Leahy making the rounds.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7apBXzcqoogwg1nBwN1oCj-HKC9uzqeVLVJZY8duCjOV5RhEHyWb4hVRjQ_CnrIOwCf14H21pi_03P7M7QyoGJ6jpC3__g_otcpsSKLqhSBNxJQlVkCcN1oNjuAjhkiDvkqMJ-0x87dE/s1600-h/DNC_080827_1824.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7apBXzcqoogwg1nBwN1oCj-HKC9uzqeVLVJZY8duCjOV5RhEHyWb4hVRjQ_CnrIOwCf14H21pi_03P7M7QyoGJ6jpC3__g_otcpsSKLqhSBNxJQlVkCcN1oNjuAjhkiDvkqMJ-0x87dE/s320/DNC_080827_1824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239595513130784226" border="0" /></a><br />Sen. Mark Udall at our delegation breakfast.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoW7dfvPnEVxRYBPoBuSBDA5PK9uJX81MWUwc49UozSZpQvLyABk-EkWaSz52kb91rIC7dICxxGwOZE2FGP8Mmrn00QgSe71Ru6DdXaPa5e7woLUq1Z0VzsWpDP5EqmMcsz33ts1sDxo/s1600-h/DNC_080827_0835.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoW7dfvPnEVxRYBPoBuSBDA5PK9uJX81MWUwc49UozSZpQvLyABk-EkWaSz52kb91rIC7dICxxGwOZE2FGP8Mmrn00QgSe71Ru6DdXaPa5e7woLUq1Z0VzsWpDP5EqmMcsz33ts1sDxo/s320/DNC_080827_0835.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239595220574416514" border="0" /></a>Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-20079692429857690242008-08-27T20:02:00.000-06:002008-08-27T20:03:27.561-06:00Was I dreaming?Or did they play "Addicted to Love" right as Bill finished?Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-76605234261949736032008-08-27T18:56:00.000-06:002008-08-27T18:57:05.034-06:00Big dog's up nextWe have flags but are supposed to keep them down until Bill comes on.<p>The DC delegation isn't with the program.Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-37436290937080125222008-08-27T18:52:00.000-06:002008-08-27T18:53:01.321-06:00Daschle's got cool framesLooks sorta like Sting.Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-19245422793028409372008-08-27T18:41:00.000-06:002008-08-27T18:42:45.121-06:00LeahyPat Leahy is running around in front of me with a camera, taking pictures<br>of the photographers. Cute.Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999227624679089699.post-61813140684324302052008-08-27T17:38:00.000-06:002008-08-27T17:39:41.007-06:00Post roll callPeople are hugging and shaking hands. Looks like unity to me. Hope the<br>cameras catch that (and me dancing to "Love Train.")Seth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.com0