Going to YearlyKos 2006 was possibly the greatest experience of my 23 year-old life. It was more rewarding than Boston 2004 (DNC Convention). Mostly, because it wasn't a DailyKos lovefest, but an actual organizing and teaching convention. At almost every single panel, the question was asked (and answered quite well) "how do we take this on-line energy and turn it into off-line activism"
But the purpose of this diary, is something that hit me as I was saying goodbye to the long-term friends that I met and befriended at YearlyKos 2006.
YearlyKos 2007 will be the first Presidential debate for the Democratic nomination. Follow me over the speed bump for more thoughts/details.
As has been pointed out numerously, we had
4 presidential aspirants turn out; General Wes Clark, Governor Mark Warner (my pick, and not just cause he gave me free booze), Governor Richardson, and Governor Vilsack.
A group of us was talking about how even if the number of DailyKos users is frozen as of today, the number of YearlyKos 2007 attendees will be at least double that based on all the positive experiences of this year.
Gina, thank you!
So, can we not honestly expect that every candidate will be at YearlyKos 2007, I say yes, even Hillary. If 7 of 8 sign up, please believe that Hillary can't avoid showing up. And, is it not logical to assume that if they are all in the same room, that we will take that opportunity to put them on the same panel. Regardless of what you call this panel, it will have all the candidates on the same stage, for likely the first time.
I can't wait for YearlyKos 2007, and will pre-register the day that it becomes an option.
On a personal note, it was great meeting every single person, I can honestly say that I didn't meet a single douche bag in Vegas (at least during the convention, the bars were a different story).
Also, if you were in Vegas and we had a chance to meet, Hello again, if you don't remember me, I'm the young Latino guy with the beard that works for a firm in DC that consults to Focus South Dakota and Jack Billion for Governor of South Dakota
YearlyKos 2007 = New Orleans (at least in my mind)