I’ve been in Denver since Friday and I have to admit that throughout the weekend I’ve felt a bit out of sorts. Despite the fact that everyone around me is a fellow political junkie in one way or another, I felt largely disconnected from them. Sunday night was the first time I really began to get a good impression of the PA delegation; we’re finally all in one hotel, and as you might expect, some of these folks make strange bedfellows.
Sitting at the Marriott’s bar, I began to see some familiar faces, and some that were nearly strangers. I say nearly because there’s something about Pennsylvanians that I often recognize from a distance. I’m not sure if it’s a shared history, or a shared present, but there’s a bond among us.
I sat down with a glass of Pinot Grigio – God knows why I ordered that – and struck up a conversation with a few folks around me. It’s interesting to see party leaders in one spot – Dwight Evans, Michael Nutter, Bill George, Jean Milko, and plenty more.
The most powerful are there to hold court; the less powerful are there to attract the attention and favor of their more successful peers. They have limited success, in my experience, though some have the moxie to pull it off.
While talking to a few delegates, I realized that a lot of people are afraid of the term “blogger.” Not sure where they had that bad first experience, but it’s like me and celery – I just don’t like the stuff. I’m pretty picky about what we publish on Keystone Politics, and I’m not one to traffic in rumors or simply repeat something I’ve heard at a bar. But despite that there’s a wariness about that I’m not sure exists for traditional journalists.
So while I won’t spill the beans about the conversations I had tonight, I will say this. These people are in their element – it’s like Christmas and their birthday all rolled into one. They’re committed and passionate, though whether that turns out to be in your best interest remains to be seen.
Well, I’d continue but I’m fading fast and need to be up in 4 hours. See you all in the morning.
Bloggers
Greg, think of it this way: if a reporter was in the room, would the people you are spending time with act any differently toward them than they are to you? I think bloggers forget that for many politicos, they are reporters without a newspaper or tv station. I know it’s not necessarily accurate, but that’s their reality.
Looking forward to you perspective of the convention. Keep Rob out of trouble.
Isn’t it cool to think that just 4 years ago we were sitting in classes at Lehigh… now we are actually doing something?
-Geoff
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