Live-blogging the Mass Lt. Gov's race

[TayTay]

This is what I did yesterday. It was interesting.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/05/22/in_blogosphere_democrats_provide_a_first/

In blogosphere, Democrats provide a first
4 candidates for lieutenant governor gather to debate, make their case to state's voters online
By Lisa Wangsness, Globe Staff | May 22, 2006

LOWELL -- At the bloggers' table, everyone was in fine spirits. So what if the four Democrats running for lieutenant governor were running late to yesterday's debate? It gave the bloggers more time to exchange witty commentary, more time to work in an allusion to Samuel Becket, even.

''No Godot," blogged Mike Ball of Marry in Massachusetts, referring to the character who famously never showed.

This was a momentous occasion in Massachusetts political history: For the first time, political bloggers got some statewide candidates into a room to answer their questions. Many of the bloggers met one another for the first time yesterday, so they were happy to gab around a rectangular wooden table in a designated ''bloggers' area," just upstairs from the television studio at Lowell Telecommunications Corporation.

At the forum, the candidates -- Deborah Goldberg, Sam Kelley, Timothy Murray, and Andrea Silbert -- emphasized the differences in their resumes more than their disagreements over policy. On the few occasions that they went on the attack, the target was always a safe one: the Republican administration of Governor Mitt Romney and Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey. (MORE at globe site.)

The very nice (and very young) Globe reporter wrote a pretty good story. (And she was very, very nice, which really made me suspicious. She probably isn't from around here.)

Ahm, I went to this event to assist the person who set it up. I didn't really expect to be blogging as I don't have a blog. (I can post on other people's blogs. No, in my copious free time, I need to add a blog of my own. I can call it: People who have not time to blog. Sigh!) BTW, Globies are very, very nice when they start out. I have no idea what happens to them after they have been on the job for awhile, but they do start out normal. That mystery has been solved.

The Lowell Sun covered this as well. However, their reporter must have been invisible or psychically phoning in reports, as I never saw them. (And they sent a photographer. So did the Globe. OMG, well at least I wasn't dressed as a blueberry this time.)

'All you need to do is turn on the computer'
The Lowell Sun
http://www.lowellsun.com/front/ci_3852100

LOWELL -- As the four candidates for lieutenant governor laid out their cases in the Lowell Telecommunications Corporation's television studio yesterday, half a dozen bloggers typed furiously on their laptops just one floor up.

Among them were representatives from some of the area's and the state's most well-known leftist blogs, including Marry in Massachusetts, .08 Acres, Mass Revolution Now!, Left in Lowell and Beyond 495.

As they watched the debate unfold on an LTC television monitor, the bloggers kept a running real-time commentary, posting their criticisms ("Sam Kelley ... comes off poorly as a speaker. His nasal tones and clichés ... suggest that he'll need a powerful message to overcome his presentation," Mike Ball of Marry in Massachusetts wrote) and their praises ("I think all of the candidates are giving great answers. We really do have a strong field," Andy Miller of Mass Revolution Now! noted.)

The innovative approach of involving bloggers so directly in a political debate may be key in attracting the less-involved younger generations, Lowell Democratic City Committee Secretary Richard Howe Jr. said. More at the Sun site.

I learned a lot. Oh, and Whome, Chimes at Midnight says hi and you and him are 'simpatico.' Nice.

So, go forth and blog. Seriously, then meet the candidates. Some of them think that people blog so they can anonymously attack people whilst eating cheetos in their pajamas. Now they know, bloggers are real people, just wittier than most. (Okay, some are. Sort of.) Oh and Vek, say hi to you know how from Dr. Kelley.

And guess where we went after the event to talk about politics and Democrats and such. You'll never guess. OMG, that's right, it was an Irish Bar. How'd you know? I don't think there would be a Massachusetts Democratic Party without the institution of the Irish Bar. I went to 3 of them this weekend. Damn.

[whometense]

1. Oh, cool!

You met him??? Was he "dressed inconspicuously?"

I love his blog. What was he like??

And what did you think of Deborah Goldberg? Honestly. Here's my opinion of her: x( But you can contradict me if you like.

[TayTay]

2. Yeah I met him

He says 'Hi!' He was a great guy. We met David Kravitz who runs 'Blue Mass Group' who really had the pull, ever since the DCI meeting in early March, to request and get this debate. (This debate happened because the bloggers requested it. The actual bloggers who actually have blogs. Of their own. Sigh!)

Bloggers are a snarky bunch of people, btw. They don't get any better in person. They get snarkier. (Nice bunch of very knowledgeable people. Very nice.)

Chimes said that you and he agree on a lot. He likes ya! (He really does.)

BTW, if anyone happens to know a US Senator who happens to reside in a very Northeastern State who might want to sit down and have a chat with some bloggers, well, I think that could be arranged. (Ask David.) Nice bunch of people. Worth making the acquaintance of, you know what I mean. (Hey, you never know, it could happen. It doesn't hurt to ask.)

[whometense]

3. awwww

I'm blushing. :blush:

He's been great about directing attention to my "John McCain is a slimy creep" posts.

Edited to add: not surprised to hear about the snark. It stands to reason that if bloggers are snarky in general, MA bloggers would be ultra-snarky.