… that he wasn’t is a loss for all of us (and of course the reason he wasn’t allowed to run was pure BS). He ran a great session. Three takeaways: If you want to reduce income inequality: 1) adopt a progressive income tax; 2) put more money into education, especially the early years; and 3) invest in infrastructure … not only would it create jobs and raise hourly wages across the board, it would make our economy more efficient, promoting growth, which then creates more jobs!
It was standing room only, and I hope the materials will be distributed to those of us who signed up on the email list. All the presenters had good information, but Dan Wolf was inspiring–telling it like it is. (I’m paraphrasing the message here.) While many think Massachusetts is a blue state, it is actually only a blue state in some locations, we cannot just blame Reaganomics — we should blame ourselves (i.e. through our representatives who are Democrats in name only) for the increases in inequality in our state, and to solve this, we need to elect real Democrats that Wolf and other likeminded legislators can work with to turn the tide. (See also the post by williamstowndem for the three most important actions to take.)
Overall, turnout was abysmal. Something needs to be done to make these conventions more useful — Lowell two years ago, it seemed to me, had a more effective schedule with some smaller workshop-style breakouts. Suggestion: The convention breakouts should be the first step in a process. Give people concrete, immediate ways to follow up these breakouts and learn more in greater depth.
The morning session: some speeches are expected, but that’s a LOT of person-hours in which we were mostly told “thanks for all you do, you’re great, Massachusetts is great, we have big challenges ahead, please keep fighting.” Still, I’m glad I went and glad they said it.
Kudos for being there: Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren, Marty Walsh
Wish they’d been there: Bernie Sanders (his surrogate had a perfectly fine speech but the delivery was not great); more state representatives and senators; more of my city delegation
Most interesting speech: Howard Dean (for Hillary, but also, emphatically, for Democrats whoever wins the nomination.) And Dan Wolf at the breakout.
Other good speeches: the senators, Mayor Setti Warren, AFL/CIO President Steve Tolman, AG Maura Healey (as always), Mayor Marty Walsh
Best visibility: AG Maura Healey
Most awkward moment IMHO: Oddly, the benediction, by an otherwise probably fine Latina clergywoman who chose to be an over-the-top activist for her community in the wrong time and place and went on a bit too long doing it.
Toughest job: Doing the text captions for the speeches in real time — but I thought they could have been better. In many cases the thrust of the message was lost.
I’d be interested in others’ overall impressions.
Not worth $100, to begin with. I don’t know why we need such a large venue in these off-year conventions.
I guess we have to give every statewide officeholder a spot, I guess. Only time all year I’m glad by governor isn’t a Democrat, because that would be two more speeches to sit through.
Aside from resolutions that will be ignored, and speeches that will largely be forgotten, what happened? The breakout sessions were good, and we need more of that, not less.
Maybe this helped build the party, but if everyone in that hall had spent those two hours knocking on doors in Springfield, it would have been a better use of our time.
I was not suggesting fewer breakouts — rather, more breakouts that are therefore able to have fewer people and be better educational experiences — more workshop style rather than just one-way presentations with Q&A. And also follow ups from the breakouts — more ways for people to learn more about the topic.
That would have been constructive. They really need to limit the speeches to five minutes. If you can’t say it in five minutes, you either don’t understand it or you can’t explain it. I used to do amateur comedy. We had five minutes. At four and a half minutes, the red light would blink. At five minutes, it would stay red. At five minutes and ten seconds, they cut off the mike. I did enjoy some of the speeches but after arriving at 8:00 AM, I was toast by 11:00. As expected, Elizabeth and Maura were superb. The rest were either predictably boring or a snooze fest. I was most disappointed by the woman who spoke on behalf of the Sanders campaign. I’m a Bernie Backer. Give me that mike and I would have had the house rocking. Oh well….You need to be a performer at these events (even The Donald knows that).
I would have preferred that the speeches were done by 10:00 and then followed by four hours of smaller and more numerous workshops.
a) Friday evening could be more fun *and* more useful if we had more opportunities to meet and hear interesting people. Readings for significant new books would give academic writers valuable exposure. Organizations like Blue Mass Group would have an opportunity for a meetup that need not be a terrific investment or expense.
b) Additional breakout sessions — both more tracks and more slots — would give people more options. In particular, the evergreen “Dem Tech” session is always nearly useless because it never knows its audience. Since half of the audience is made up of tech professionals and half are looking for a hand in setting up a Facebook page, that incoherence is natural. This problem happens over and over.
c) Support the exhibit hall with breakout sessions, meeting spaces. Give exhibitors more support; you want them to succeed because (a) you’ll get more exhibitors, and (b) they’re Democrats working for Democratic causes.
d) All-star breakout sessions. My pick: Amanda Palmer and Jimmy Tingle, “The Art Of Asking”. You can imagine your own. Publicize the panelists, too; it helps people decide what to see, it benefits the panelists, it makes people feel better about their registration fee.
e) Another evergreen event for Friday PM/evening: welcome to first-time delegates. They’re new, they haven’t done this before, they aren’t from here. Onboarding is a good thing.
f) Kaffeklatsches: organized 20-minute meeting, eight people (sign up in advance) and one expert. A chance to meet people or ask a question. We have lots of experience in the hall, and lots of skills; give people some access. Old hands know who to call with their questions, but not everyone is an old hand.
Her speech is urging us to continue fighting for what we believe in
His theme was “we have more work to do”, and he’s right – we need to get Bernie Sanders elected!
I should use the preview button!
that they’re leaving. Nothing but speeches.
Support for “We the people”, for pass Mass Amendment, for a carbon tax, and two others.
I guess I always thought that speechifying was the main reason to have a convention. 🙂
…but I’ve said for years we should forego odd-year conventions in favor of Democratic Campaign Institutes.
He ran the breakout session on wealth and equality. It should have been mandatory for all Democrats. Well done.
… that he wasn’t is a loss for all of us (and of course the reason he wasn’t allowed to run was pure BS). He ran a great session. Three takeaways: If you want to reduce income inequality: 1) adopt a progressive income tax; 2) put more money into education, especially the early years; and 3) invest in infrastructure … not only would it create jobs and raise hourly wages across the board, it would make our economy more efficient, promoting growth, which then creates more jobs!
It was standing room only, and I hope the materials will be distributed to those of us who signed up on the email list. All the presenters had good information, but Dan Wolf was inspiring–telling it like it is. (I’m paraphrasing the message here.) While many think Massachusetts is a blue state, it is actually only a blue state in some locations, we cannot just blame Reaganomics — we should blame ourselves (i.e. through our representatives who are Democrats in name only) for the increases in inequality in our state, and to solve this, we need to elect real Democrats that Wolf and other likeminded legislators can work with to turn the tide. (See also the post by williamstowndem for the three most important actions to take.)
Whether he has cleared the way to run for governor in 2018 and whether he is interested in doing so?
having to give up Cape Air. I agree with those who say it should not have been an issue.
…so my consolation prize was watching the presidential candidates address the NH convention on C-SPAN.
If I were able to attend, I’d have tried to get a vote of solidarity for the people who have been on hunger strike in the #FightForDyett.
Did anyone mention it?
Overall, turnout was abysmal. Something needs to be done to make these conventions more useful — Lowell two years ago, it seemed to me, had a more effective schedule with some smaller workshop-style breakouts. Suggestion: The convention breakouts should be the first step in a process. Give people concrete, immediate ways to follow up these breakouts and learn more in greater depth.
The morning session: some speeches are expected, but that’s a LOT of person-hours in which we were mostly told “thanks for all you do, you’re great, Massachusetts is great, we have big challenges ahead, please keep fighting.” Still, I’m glad I went and glad they said it.
Kudos for being there: Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren, Marty Walsh
Wish they’d been there: Bernie Sanders (his surrogate had a perfectly fine speech but the delivery was not great); more state representatives and senators; more of my city delegation
Most interesting speech: Howard Dean (for Hillary, but also, emphatically, for Democrats whoever wins the nomination.) And Dan Wolf at the breakout.
Other good speeches: the senators, Mayor Setti Warren, AFL/CIO President Steve Tolman, AG Maura Healey (as always), Mayor Marty Walsh
Best visibility: AG Maura Healey
Most awkward moment IMHO: Oddly, the benediction, by an otherwise probably fine Latina clergywoman who chose to be an over-the-top activist for her community in the wrong time and place and went on a bit too long doing it.
Toughest job: Doing the text captions for the speeches in real time — but I thought they could have been better. In many cases the thrust of the message was lost.
I’d be interested in others’ overall impressions.
Not worth $100, to begin with. I don’t know why we need such a large venue in these off-year conventions.
I guess we have to give every statewide officeholder a spot, I guess. Only time all year I’m glad by governor isn’t a Democrat, because that would be two more speeches to sit through.
Aside from resolutions that will be ignored, and speeches that will largely be forgotten, what happened? The breakout sessions were good, and we need more of that, not less.
Maybe this helped build the party, but if everyone in that hall had spent those two hours knocking on doors in Springfield, it would have been a better use of our time.
I was not suggesting fewer breakouts — rather, more breakouts that are therefore able to have fewer people and be better educational experiences — more workshop style rather than just one-way presentations with Q&A. And also follow ups from the breakouts — more ways for people to learn more about the topic.
That would have been constructive. They really need to limit the speeches to five minutes. If you can’t say it in five minutes, you either don’t understand it or you can’t explain it. I used to do amateur comedy. We had five minutes. At four and a half minutes, the red light would blink. At five minutes, it would stay red. At five minutes and ten seconds, they cut off the mike. I did enjoy some of the speeches but after arriving at 8:00 AM, I was toast by 11:00. As expected, Elizabeth and Maura were superb. The rest were either predictably boring or a snooze fest. I was most disappointed by the woman who spoke on behalf of the Sanders campaign. I’m a Bernie Backer. Give me that mike and I would have had the house rocking. Oh well….You need to be a performer at these events (even The Donald knows that).
I would have preferred that the speeches were done by 10:00 and then followed by four hours of smaller and more numerous workshops.
a) Friday evening could be more fun *and* more useful if we had more opportunities to meet and hear interesting people. Readings for significant new books would give academic writers valuable exposure. Organizations like Blue Mass Group would have an opportunity for a meetup that need not be a terrific investment or expense.
b) Additional breakout sessions — both more tracks and more slots — would give people more options. In particular, the evergreen “Dem Tech” session is always nearly useless because it never knows its audience. Since half of the audience is made up of tech professionals and half are looking for a hand in setting up a Facebook page, that incoherence is natural. This problem happens over and over.
c) Support the exhibit hall with breakout sessions, meeting spaces. Give exhibitors more support; you want them to succeed because (a) you’ll get more exhibitors, and (b) they’re Democrats working for Democratic causes.
d) All-star breakout sessions. My pick: Amanda Palmer and Jimmy Tingle, “The Art Of Asking”. You can imagine your own. Publicize the panelists, too; it helps people decide what to see, it benefits the panelists, it makes people feel better about their registration fee.
e) Another evergreen event for Friday PM/evening: welcome to first-time delegates. They’re new, they haven’t done this before, they aren’t from here. Onboarding is a good thing.
f) Kaffeklatsches: organized 20-minute meeting, eight people (sign up in advance) and one expert. A chance to meet people or ask a question. We have lots of experience in the hall, and lots of skills; give people some access. Old hands know who to call with their questions, but not everyone is an old hand.