Left In Lowell

[Cross posted at BMG of course.]

I want to thank everyone who made the trek to Lowell for today’s gathering, and hope everyone had a good time, and that you felt it was productive.

I also want to extend gratitude to Governor Patrick’s Chief of Staff Doug Rubin and DSC Chair John Walsh for participating, and to Rep. Jamie Eldridge and DSC member Kate Donaghue as well.

One thing that struck me during the conversation we had (in retrospect, we had enough people that we should have gone into our finished basement to chat, but at least it was sunny and breezy in the sun room!) is how many of us raised our hands in answer to Kate’s question of who was involved in some way with the DSC, town committees, or other Democratic organizations. We do walk the walk, it would seem to me.

Though we are not looking to become a formal, top-down organization, it felt like there was enthusiasm for more events and coordination among us. (The expression herding cats did come up. It’s apt.) I’m satisfied that the conversation moved forward, and I hope other attendees are too.

If fellow progressives could not attend but are interested in getting into the conversation, please contact Ryan (darthDOTadams AT gmail.com) so he can get your email and put it on the list. Some concrete ideas came up near the end of the chat session and they are pretty cool ones. Big Secret Ideas. Well, no, but we’re still in discussion so I’m not going to promote them yet.

John, Doug, we will be contacting you with some things we want to propose soon. But I assume you knew that was coming.

Til next time…though not in Lowell. We want to make sure we have events around the state. Anyone in Western MA want to host next time? (Summer is coming. BBQ in the Berkshires sure makes an appetizing alliterative sound…)

Yes, lost, not “will lose.” And before the inevitable Clintonista pile-on in comments (I know it’s coming), sure, I’ve been hard on Clinton in the last couple months, but honestly, this downward spiral has been hard for me to watch. Because despite my dislike of the Republican-Lite DLC neoliberalism espoused by Bill Clinton et al., man, did we do ever so much better as a nation under him compared to the rotten Bush sandwich (before, and after)…he, who actually cared about governing, making it work for us, appointing the opposite of total hacks to positions where they could do some good, and spreading some of the economic happiness around (though the consequences of “Free” Trade have undone much of it).

AMERICAblog notes the general consensus about Hillary Clinton’s campaign:

Last year, word was that Team Clinton basically went around to donors and others with a clear message, which I’ll paraphrase here:

Get on the bus, NOW. If you don’t get on the bus, NOW, you will never get on the bus. This is the winning bus and we’re going remember who didn’t get on early because when you try to get on, there won’t be any seats left.

…
The arrogance of that campaign, and the sense of entitlement, permeated everything they did. John and I learned first-hand that if you weren’t 100% with them every step of the way, even if you went far out of your way to help them on numerous occasions, you were persona non grata - not needed. Not that we ever wanted to be needed by Team Clinton, but we saw how they treated people who ever strayed from the reservation. And we weren’t the only ones to experience the special charm that is Team Clinton. Lots of political types — and reporters — we’ve spoken to have similar stories of how they too were mistreated by the campaign. It’s a window into the character of the campaign, and its leader - and it isn’t pretty.

I know campaigns are partisan, by necessity. Sometimes, even bitter. But this is the losingest strategy I’ve ever seen! Even if you win, you lose. I mean, you have to have an eye on the big picture, and keep that door open a notch…because rancor among the party with those people - voters, donors, activists - who were with the other guy are so necessary to court to your side in the general election, if you actually win the primary.

Hillary Clinton is doing her level best to live up to the standard right wing characterization of the “unhinged left.” Because unhinged is the only thing that can describe this attitude, and the way she has run this race once she began slipping behind. She’s done it to herself, man.

Let the pile-on and justification wars begin…

Update: More evidence. Ug. Even repeating discredited KARL ROVE TALKING POINTS that are a year old!

The superdelegates ought to come out and say who they are for, so we can end this. I’m with Chairman Dean.

If you aren’t interested in meeting a bunch of liberal bloggers or are looking to be OUTSIDE on this beautiful day, the community garden from 11am to 4pm is sure to please. I stopped by early today to get my fabulous rain barrels (I believe they may have brought some extra so if you didn’t order ahead but still want to buy one, stop by 220 Aiken Street anyway). The city is having Earth Day activities there as well, with gardening workshops, activities for kids, and lots of vendors and info booths on getting green.

I’m sort of envious, as I of course had to leave to get ready for our blogger event later on, so if you are at a loss how to get outside and soak up the sun, here’s your chance!