More Progressive Summit

As promised, here are some more detailed thoughts about the Progressive Summit. 

First, a huge batch of kudos to Michael Morrill and all the folks at Keystone Progress for organizing a wonderful event.  The seminars were all interesting, the panelists excellent, and the debates informative. 

My recap of the events I attended (because I am sure you are all so curious):

The gubernatorial debate, well actually conversation, was very interesting.  I went into the event already supporting Joe Hoeffel, and he did not disappoint.  He came out strongly in favor of women's rights, LGBT rights, and a progressive tax structure.  To my mind, he is the only true progressive running. 

With that said, I was hoping to learn a little more about Onorato during the debate.  As a Philadelphian, even one with considerable interest in politics statewide, I really didnt know very much about him.  I knew that Pittsburgh had grown considerably under his watch, but I didnt know his stance on progressive issues.  I was very disappointed in his comments.  To my mind, he came off as arrogant and abrasive, and while we all acknowledge that elections are not popularity contests, he really didnt help himself. 

Wagner was also disappointing, sounds disconnected from the values of the crowd he was talking to when discussin LGBT issues and women's rights.  It was not so much his stance, but they way he presented it.  In the notes I made, his answer on gay marriage was basically: I dont favor it, but I do have some gay friends and they are nice people.  That is not the sort of considerate response worthy of progressive support.

I also attended 6 seminars during the course of the program.  I will only list the highlights below:

1.  The blogging forum:  Obviously, my blogging habits needed a little work, so it was great to hear Chris Bowers discuss strategies for effective blog messaging.  My rededication to blogging in this space is a direct result of the discussion during that forum.

2.  The debate between Sen. Daylin Leach and Tim Potts focusing on the need for a constitutional convention in PA.  Leach did a fantastic job of explaining his opposition to a convention and left me convinced that his position was correct.  In a nutshell, the argument by Potts is that a convention is needed to address problems with the legislature, such as the 11:00 voting rule, and other assorted procedural issues that are preventing efficient legislating.  Leach argued, effectively, that a convention would be impossible to limit to only procedural issues due the many interests involved, and that the constitution is not the proper vehicle to advance social change issues, such as gun control, that would inevitably enter the discussion. 

3.  The final panel on Progressive Messaging featured a first-rate panel and very lively discussion of what it means to be a progressive.  From the 4 panelists we received 4 definitions of a progressive and 4 different themes for effective communication.  For me, the takeaway message is that Progressives continue to have their agenda items help back because of the amorphous nature of the movement itself.  Even if being a progressive means something different to every progressive, the movement needs some universal definition of its ideals to enable consistent messaging.

PA Progressive Summit

Hi....

Been gone from this blog for a long time.  Why?  Well, I was posting some writing on other places, doing the holiday thing, and generally being pretty busy.  But I am back now and, after a rousing weekend at the Progressive Summit, I am ready to put some new effort into blogging in this space in addition to writing elsewhere.

I will have a more detailed review of the stimulation sessions I attended during the Summit, but here are a few quick thoughts:

1.  It was really inspiring to be around so many progressives at one time.  I learned a great deal about causes issues on which I had only a passing understanding, and had the chance to really get wonkish while discussing the issues I care about deeply.  I really hope this becomes a yearly event.

2.  I was surprisingly impressed with Chris Doherty.  He was not afraid to give a few unpopular answers during the debate, he has a firm grasp on the issues, and he was personable, which goes a long way.  Many folks held the fact that Scranton is not Philly or Pittsburgh against him, but I did not.  Scranton is, by PA standards, a sizable city and Doherty has faced the same challenges in Scranton that he will confront in Harrisburg.  I make no secret that I am a Hoeffel guy, but the pleasant surprise of the weekend was Chris Doherty.

3.  As hard as I try, I just cant forgive Arlen Specter for his unfortunate management of the judiciary committee.  While I would not go as far as some by turning my back to the podium, had Specter shown just a little backbone during the confirmations of Roberts and Alito the Citizens United decision may have had a different result.

Much more later, and much more frequent update to come.