But first a brief diary on the events of the day.
In the 1st session, Kaili Joy Gray questioned Dan Pfeiffer, WH communications director. Can we say that she was better prepared than he was? She was also fairly aggressive at times.
Today for me was Education day. We had a terrific panel, about which I tweeted live a lot - if you combine #nn11 and #education perhaps you can follow the threads. Jeff Bryant, Kevin Welner, Rep. Judy Chu, Sabrina Stevens Shupe, and Lily Eskelsen. It was very well done.
About an hour after that ended there was a session with the Mommy Bloggers and Lily, hosted by Elisa Batista. That had some good discussion. And that was followed immediately by an education strategy session with Randi Weingarten, head of AFT, and Lily Eskelsen, VP of NEA. Again, a positive session.
A chance to catch up with more people I had not seen, and to meet some new people. Some discussions of interest about the events so far.
Then before returning to the Hilton to freshen up, an event about sensible gun policies, organized by Cliff Schechter and including Mayor Rybak of Minneapolis, his police chief, Rep. Jerry Nadler of NY, and also Alex Lawson of Media Matters.
Before that final event (at which I think I was able to facilitate a linkup between the Mayor and a congressional representative very much concerned with the issue), caught up with Rep. Brad Miller of NC. Since Jeff Bryant lives in Chapel Hill (not his district), I was able to bring the two of them together. Also present was Gina Cooper, originally exec director of Yearly Kos, and still on the board of Netroots Nation. It was a very productive discussion about possible tactics and strategy in a political situation in NC.
I know some of my parties this evening. Still trying to arrange some conversations with others. The campaign manager for Christie Vilsack is now in town. She is running against the noxious Steve King in Iowa. There are people here anxious to help in that race. I hope to be able to make some connections in that regard.
That is part of beauty of this event. We all extend networks, helping one another make connections that will be of value.
Some of the panels are also fantastic.
There was a noisy Andrew Breitbart sighting today. I'm sure he will claim he was persecuted. last night he had a conversation with Sam Seder which did not go to Breitbart's credit. He may have drinks tonight with Sally Kohn. If so, perhaps a report will ensue?
And now, a quick change of shirts, and out for what could be a VERY long evening.
Cell phone will be recharged so that we can connect - probably texting is best, because most venues are too loud to hear the phone ring.
Now, on to the social events of the evening.
Peace.