Inside Skinny From Chuck...

[TygrBright]

I'm in the Big Tent.

Senator Schumer (and entourage) just strolled by and sat down across from me. Really! I'm across from a gaggle of Kos bloggers, and there was an empty space on the sofa, and he just parked himself here for a chat:



He's upbeat about the Senate chances. His current count is: Five definite takeovers of GOPpie seats; three could go either way (I pricked up my ears when I heard him rank Minnesota in that group... he thinks Al Franken is regaining lost ground and there's a lot to go after Norm the Weasel on...) and three that are close enough to be hopeful.

He was also very eloquent and emphatic about the need to respond "instantly and forcefully" to GOPpie smear attacks.

Earlier I heard Rachel Maddow interview Google CEO Eric Schmidt:



She is going to be such a godsend to MSNBC, and it's a very shrewd move on their part to add her to their team. I think they're moving to co-opt the (largely unoccupied) niche of "MSM not completely hostile and belittling to all things progressive." I'm sure it's a cold-eyed economic decision on their part, but won't it be a welcome change?

Denver this morning was very quiet. All of the days events will be at the stadium; they started breaking down the Pepsi Center last night. When we walked through this morning, the perimeter was open, the Men In Black were gone, media and others were packing vans heading out. The people we saw on the streets were mostly Denverites going about their jobs and daily business. There was a kind of weary hush, mixed with anticipation. Like someone stopping to take a deep breath and a long drink of water halfway through a big run.

But as the morning's worn on, the excitement has started to ramp up again. People are rushing around trying to snag Invesco credentials, stash suitcases where they won't get nicked, grab copies of the day's schedule. The media folks are baying after a few last good interviews/photo ops before they have to head over and settle in for the long wait at Invesco.

The program there will start at 3:00 or so, with a lineup of speakers including David Plouffe, Nancy Pelosi, Howard Dean, and my own Goob, Bill Richardson, who's always fun to listen to.

They're serving lunch here in the Big Tent so I'll file more later... I'm hungry!

[KittyWampus]

1. any word if media plans on splitting screen on Obama's speech if McCain announces

his VP pick?

[TygrBright]

2. No rumors about that here in the Big Tent... n/t

[beac]

4. McCain certainly is running as FAR away as he can from his promise of a "respectful"

campaign. First, in defiance of established protocol, he speaks to the press during our convention and now they are going to "leak" the name during Obama's speech.

That said, I've heard they'll be playing it as a "leak"-- if something you've leaked that you will leak can still be CALLED a leak (my head hurts!)-- so I'm not sure what they could split-screen to, since it's supposed to be a "WHOOPS! We NEVER intended for you to find out this way!" :eyes:




(edited to catch dumb mistakes in title. Oy.)

[mzmolly]

3. It's great to have you guys there, reporting for us.

Thanks for the update.

I remember when the excuse for Liberals not having a voice in network cable news was "liberals don't watch TV." Well, there was good reason. I am thrilled to see Rachel become a major voice in America. :toast: to her and MSNBC.

[trashcanistanista]

5. Good on Chuck to schmooze the bloggers. He knows

how it works now.