Bloggers Meet With Big Dog

[Hissyspit]

http://americablog.blogspot.com/2006/09/we-just-had-lunch-in-nyc-with-real.html

We just had lunch in NYC with a real president
by John in DC - 9/12/2006 04:41:00 PM

We just finished a two hour blogger lunch with President Clinton at his NY office in Harlem. He had reached out to a group of us a few weeks ago, before the Disney/ABC blow up, simply because he wanted to meet some bloggers. Much of the lunch was off the record, but some was on. And while the policy discussion was fascinating, for me these kind of get togethers are far more interesting on a personal than substantive level. Meaning, it's fascinating to see someone like Clinton in person. How his brain works, what he's like personally, and just as importantly, to meet and get to know his staff so we can all help each other in the future (we are, after all, Democratic bloggers).

My impressions? He looks a little older than I expected, though befitting someone who was president for eight years (and he was first elected 14 years ago). He's got beautiful blue eyes (this isn't something I normally notice, but in his case I did, and he does, and I suspect he uses it to good effect). The man is smart as hell. He knows a lot about everything, and he gets it, he gets politics, he gets people, he understands what's going on and knows how to get things done. His political advice is no-nonsense and straight forward - he'd rather take an issue on than run from it (oh for the days of that in a Democratic politician).

Among those attending, that I can recall, were Atrios, Joe in DC and me, Chris Bowers and Matt Stoller from MyDD, McJoan from DailyKos, John Amato from Crooks & Liars (by phone from CA), Jane and Christy from FDL, Liberal Oasis, Steve from CarpetBagger, Jeraly and son from TalkLeft, Dave Johnson from Seeing the Forest, and I'm sure a few others I'm forgetting.

The lunch was only scheduled to go for an hour and he stayed with us for two. I think that means he enjoyed himself, which is good. It's of course fascinating to be in the presence of someone like Clinton. You feel for a moment a part of history, a witness to history. And you get a small glimpse at greatness. For a politico, this kind of lunch is a life's dream. But on a more practical side, as I said at the beginning, these kind of meet-and-greets are what make politics work when it works - the importance of the personal cannot be overstated. We get more done working together than working separately, and that's one of the main messages we delivered.

LOTS OF PICS AT LINK

[midnight]

1. Clinton is smart, and gets it. I believe that.....

But tell me why does he hang with bush the elder? Just wondering.

[Wiley50]

15. Not only does he hang out with Poppy

But he's a member of the Trilateral Commission, the driving force behind globalization.
But, I guess that's why he pushed NAFTA through.
Or the Telecommunications Bill of 1996
that did as much to make our media dysfunctional
as Reagan did taking the Fairness Doctrine out of gear.
Or the Welfare Reform Act of 1996
and as a person on SSI Disability,
a member of the lowest economic rung in our country,
I see the damage it has done, both to me
and the people around me.

Maybe he was just throwing the pukes a few bones
to get them off of his ass.

Yes, he's charming and smart,
but, as a founder of the DLC
the corporate wing of our party,
I just wonder how much of a populist
he really is.

[Matariki]

16. some thoughts on globalization

I always thought that it was inevitable - as communications and transportation becomes faster, cheaper and easier. Instead of decrying globalization, I think we would do well to embrace it and do our best to steer it in a positive direction. If there was equity all over the world - livable wages, environmental laws, tax laws, etc. - then multinational corporations wouldn't have the motivation to move to countries solely for the purpose of cheap labor and lax laws.

[Wiley50]

18. My wife's job went to Mexico

and Mexican Farmers are hurting badly
because they are being flooded with US corn.

The people behind globalization
are the greediest and most power hungry
on the planet.

Wanna know who they are
and the scope of what they're up to?
Go Here:

http://www.augustreview.com/

HOW TO UNDERSTAND GLOBALIZATION

1. Follow the money, follow the power
2. Discern illusion from reality, especially with media outlets
3. Listen to experts who offer a meaningful critique
4. Study & verify sources and footnotes
5. Apply liberal doses of common sense

What is Globalization? It is the collective effect of purposeful and amoral manipulation that seeks to centralize economic, political, technological and societal forces in order to accrue maximum profit and political power to global banks, global corporations and the elitists who run them.

"Free Trade" is the central mantra. Globalization is set against national sovereignty, closed borders, trade tarrifs and anything that would restrict its goals and methods used to achieve them.

Globalization promotes regional and global government, a one-world economic system of trade and a form of fascism where global corporations and their elite control the policies and directives of individual governments.

The original and primary perpetrators of modern-day globalization number only in the 100's, representative of which, but not exclusively, are members of The Trilateral Commission.

[Matariki]

20. Yes, I understand all this

Did you understand my point?

[Matariki]

22. here - read this. I think it applies

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddites

I absolutely agree that there are rotten, greedy people taking advantage of economic and legal inequalities around the world. But ignoring the fact that the world is becoming more accessible and connected isn't going to help. Putting up fences isn't going to help. We need to work for global equalities, not just local ones.

[Wiley50]

28. Accessable and connected are great. FASCISM is NOT!!

Do you really think these fuckers have ALL of our beest interests at heart?

You're calling me a Luddite?

I wouldn't be communicating with you
via INTERNET if I was.

Sheesh!
The nerve of some people

[Matariki]

33. No, no, no

I'm not calling you a Luddite. I don't think these fuckers have our best interests in heart. I do sort of think you're reacting to my post without understanding though.

What I think and what I wrote, is that globalization is inevitable - because of technological advances in communication and transportation. Just like technological advances were inevitable when the Luddites were smashing mechanical looms. And they're motive was about saving their jobs too, hence the comparison. And what was the outcome of that?

I'm saying WE need to accept globalization and take the outcome in our hands so that 'those fuckers' don't get to control the outcome. Trying to fight the inevitable with protectionist laws is going to go nowhere. We need to think more globally when it comes to things like worker's rights and environmental laws.

[DemReadingDU]

2. link from TalkLeft

http://talkleft.com/new_archives/015720.html

[pacalo]

34. This is the better link, for those who want to know the topics discussed.

Thanks for providing it.

[DoYouEverWonder]

3. How come DU never gets invited to these events?

n/t

[Catrina]

8. I wondered that too

I hope there isn't an elite group of bloggers forming that end up pushing an agenda, just as the MSM does.

Hillary Clinton's consultant was there, (Dauo?) which makes me think that this meeting was about Hillary.

The press became compromised because of 'access'. The blogs have avoided that so far.

They are realizing that the blogs have influence and so it's not surprising that Clinton would be smart enough to reach out to them to get them behind Hillary if she decides to run.

While it's nice that this happened, I hope it won't mean that like the press, certain topics will become 'off limits'. Or has that already happened on some blogs ...

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. Good question

Isn't this the largest Dem site on the internets?

[ComerPerro]

25. I call dibs on going when we do get invited

[KoKo]

32. Probably because DU is a Message Board and Admins have not made

their personal views the main focus here. We now have posters who have "Blogs" but it's not the same as the main bloggers out there whose sites are controlled by their views with comments being the background focus.

I wonder if Josh Marshall was invited?

[madokie]

4. Congrats to you all

We get more done working together, I guess thats why we teach sports in school to let each individual see that on a personal level.

[symbolman]

5. I can think of two sites right off the bat that should have been

Invited, first and foremost THE DEMOCRATICUNDERGROUND, for Christ's Sakes!

And secondly, my site, TAKEBACKTHEMEDIA.COM - we practically Invented the Flash Political Attack Ad back in 2000 and we've done some marvelous and effective fire bomb throwing for 5 years now (not literally speaking Mr Gonzalez you SCUMBAG) -- I'm sure we could have been of tremendous service in any number of ways.

I'm glad he's reaching out, but let's widen the playing field, we've never pushed anything outlandish and have only had to print ONE retraction in 5 years, and were glad to do it (CapitolHill Blue, sucked us in, but many were so we don't feel that bad)..

We've had our loins girded for battle and worked basically for FREE all these years.

And as far as I'm concerned, the DU is one of the Largest Liberal, and EFFECTIVE "THINK TANKS" online.

In some ways it's time to drop the ego battles and join forces, only if you report FACTS that are indisputable, we must be Squeaky Clean for credibility sakes.

[Kolesar]

7. I think MyDD and Atrios are boring compared to DU & TBTM

DU has a really appealing look from the homepage and from the Latest & Greatest views. The material just jumps out at you. MyDD is as exciting as a nice carpet or a wallpaper.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. Daily Kos is also so hard to read

DU is by far the most visually appealing of all the political blog sites. It is frustrating to see our admins left out of events like this.

[Kolesar]

13. the tiny type?

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. That and the overall layout

Orange? Yuck.

[blm]

23. I like Atrios - he's a solid thinker who really cares about the health of

the Dem party and its issues.

Ya gotta love a guy who instituted Moonie Mondays on his blog.

[Hissyspit]

9. I think the annual Las Vegas get-together has brought a lot of attention

to DKos and some others.

[Liberal Dose]

6. I met Clinton twice while he was campaigning, and I think of him as "The

Great Connector" because he is there with you. When he shakes your hand or speaks to you, he is with you, not looking around for the next hand to shake or the next question to answer. Also, I totally understand the beautiful eyes comment and I too think he has used it to his benefit. :blush: :D

[Wiley50]

30. He's totally charming., I agree

But many charming people use it as a weapon of manipulation

Shit, even Ted Bundy was charming!

[KoKo]

31. A friend of ours met him at a small business meeting in DC and said he

has the eyes of a "snake charmer." When he looks at you, you believe anything he says until he moves on and the spell is broken. Our friend is a Repug but was impressed with the "eyes," and the "spell."

[ourbluenation]

12. as an aside - check out his coolio man-bracelet! That is HOT!

[blm]

17. Clinton advised Dem candidates in 2004 to SUPPORT anti-gay amendments

on the ballots for some states, no matter that they didn't believe in the anti-gay bills and were disgusted by them.

That's John's idea of not running from an issue?

Nice set of double standards ya got there, John.

Oh yeah - and it was CLINTON on tv throughout 2002 thru 2004 advising people that Bush was a good guy, that being president is hard, and Dems need to stay hopeful instead of attacking Bush's leadership.

Did ya like that, John? Was that good advice for you?

When Clinton had a perfect opportunity to shed light on the Downing Street Memos on National TV, he instead claimed he had NEVER HEARD OF THEM, and that was TWO MONTHS after they were revealed and some in the senate and congress were seeking a greater investigation. He acted like the DSM wasn't important enough for him to concern himself.

Is that straightforward and brilliant to you, John?


And it was CLINTON who focking closed the books on IranContra, BCCI, Iraqgate, and CIA drugrunning so Poppy Bush wouldn't be disturbed in his retirement years.

FOCK THAT!

[flpoljunkie]

19. Thanks, blm, for some straight talk. Anyone doubt HRC running in '08-

with Bill trying to co-opt these bloggers. He certainly seems to have charmed John Aravosis, Americablog. Guess it wasn't enough that Hillary hired Peter Daou, who is still writing on Salon, as a consultant "for her Senate campaign."

[blm]

21. John Aravosis is being led down double-standard highway.

I like Bill Clinton as a charming guy, too, but no way do the facts support him as someone who doesn't run from an issue or has brilliant advice.

John sounds like Tweety after Bush's aircraft carrier landing - long on gush and declaring superhero status.

[flpoljunkie]

26. Jeralyn Merritt, from talkleft, seemed equally impressed. See post#2.

She listed not only all the bloggers present with photos, but the entire lunch menu!

[blm]

29. They should FACT-CHECK their hyperbolic claims against the record.

Praise Clinton for who he is and what he has really done that you find admirable, but why LIE him into a figure that the actual record proves he is NOT?

He was fairly good on terror, and a 100% better than Bush on it, but Bush's rise to power and 9-11 would never have happened if Clinton hadn't closed the books on BushInc's crimes as soon as he took office.

[Catherine Vincent]

24. bookmarking this thread...

:kick:

[Justice Is Comin]

27. Speaking off the record on the record...

did you come out of there with some real juicy good news about a plan ?