From where I sat, today’s Lieutenant Governor forum was a big success. The candidates were all terrific, the event ran very smoothly, and Stonehenge even made an appearance!
A lot of people deserve a lot of thanks for making today’s event so successful. First, of course, the candidates, all of whom were outstanding – I know how busy their schedules are this close to the convention, and I’m very glad they were able to fit us in. Second, the forum never would have happened at all without the steady, calm behind-the-scenes leadership of Dick Howe, who doubled before the cameras as the moderator.
Third, a big shout-out to the various assembled bloggers who live-blogged the event here at BMG. That post is a terrific read – several different voices bringing you minute-by-minute coverage and commentary on what happened. And special thanks to sco and Andy, who doubled as question-screeners, periodically handing up questions gathered either from the blogs or from the audience up to Marie Sweeney (the other panelist) and me.
Fourth, the wonderful staff at the Lowell Telecommunications Corporation, who made their facilities available to us on short notice, and who did an excellent job with set-up, with video, and with the internet stream. And if you missed the stream today, you’ll be able to watch the whole thing at LTC’s website soon.
Last – but assuredly not least – the incomparable Lynne and Susan, whose idea this forum was, and who worked tirelessly to make it happen. You guys rock. That’s all there is to it.
I was honored to represent the blogosphere as a panelist. Even put on a suit. Thanks for entrusting me with that role, guys – I hope I did you proud.
UPDATE (5/22): Lisa Wangsness of the Globe was also in attendance – here is her write-up of the festivities. Thanks for coming, Lisa!
FURTHER UPDATE: And here is coverage from the Lowell Sun. Thanks to Tim over at Left in Lowell for the link.
Credit goes to you David and to all (Susan, Lynne and any others) who organized this. Afterward, I couldn’t help but reflect how the format and the questions really brought a different feel to this debate than you’d get from the network-organized ones. Issues broke out from the short litany of concerns defined by Boston and the inner suburbs, and in general the focus was kept on issues rather than image posturing. Thanks.
I’m guessing Susan is convalescing today. She was amazing.
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Dick Howe (long time blogger at LowellDeeds.com, the Lowell CPC, and the newer LowellDems.org, elected Registrar of Deeds, Secretary of the LDCC, and all around great guy) has been tireless in dealing with various setbacks (including a flood and many venomous Democratic detractors). He deserves a lion’s share of the credit for this event’s success.
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It all came together in the end as if it was foreordained. Almost scary. Bloggers started talking about doing a gubernatorial forum or debate later in the summer. I bet we could do a really spiffy job too.
I’m sorry I couldn’t make it out to the forum, but it sounds (and reads) like a resounding success! (I haven’t had a chance to stream the video yet, either.)
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This is what makes good blogs great. You came up with a quality idea, executed it beautifully and now reap the rewards.
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Hopefully I’ll get a chance to see everyone at the convention (which I have no doubt will be live-blogged to death!)
Great job, everyone!
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David: It’s nice to put a face with your posts finally!
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As a Lowellian, I’d also like to thank Marie Sweeney and Dick Howe for their work. Lynne and Susan: Many thanks to you for helping to get this set up.
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I was bit under the weather yesterday, to it was great to be able to watch the forum from the comfort of home. (It will also be nice, as Dick noted in his concluding remarks yesterday, to forward the link to the webcast to folks outside the Lowell area.)
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The bad part is that we still have four excellent candidates for Lt. Governor, and the forum did little to help me make up my mind who to support on June 3.
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Now time to peruse the blog and see if I can shake any of the fever-induced cobwebs from my brain….
And thanks for using some of my questions đŸ™‚