Sanibel Journal (Politics)
Show notes for a podcast about Sanibel Island's rebuilding after Hurricane Ian.
APC 81 Obama's Town Hall in Portsmouth, NH

Comments from Ray and Mark, two of those who attended President Obama's town hall meeting on health care today, August 11, 2009.  Although they disagreed with the health care reform proposal, they said they thought Obama was honest and did a good job at the session.

Direct download: APC_81_Obama_Town_Hall_in_Portsmouth_NH.mp3
Category:Politics -- posted at: 8:19pm EDT

APC 79 How to Pay for Health Care Reform

This is a presentation on how to pay for health care reform, given July 18, 2009 by Rahul Rajkumar, senior advisor to Doctors for America, at an Organizing for America forum in Dorchester, Mass.

Direct download: APC_79_Rahul_Rajkumar.mp3
Category:Politics -- posted at: 8:59am EDT

APC 77 Mark J. Penn at a Harvard Crimson Lunch

Mark J. Penn, Hillary Clinton's chief strategist in the 2008 campaign and the author of Microtrends, spoke on April 25, 2009 at the Sheraton Commander Hotel in Cambridge before a lunch organized by The Harvard Crimson, the university's daily newspaper, of which Penn is an alumnus.

This is a recording of his talk and the wide-ranging Q&A afterward.

 

Direct download: APC_77_Mark_Penn_at_Harvard_Crimson_Lunch.mp3
Category:Politics -- posted at: 3:31pm EDT

73 Grassroots Presidency

My wife and I attended a "house party" organized by the Obama campaign, one of 4,000 such events held across the country this past weekend.  Ours was held at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and featured an introductory talk by Marshall Ganz.  

 

Direct download: 73_Grassroots_Presidency.mp3
Category:Politics -- posted at: 10:43am EDT

70 Obama in Denver

We've seen a lot of Barack Obama here in Colorado in recent weeks. But Sunday's event was the biggest anywhere in the country so far -- well over 100,000 people at Civic Center Park. This episode is a soundscape of the rally and ends with Darlene making yet another phone call in search of volunteers to help get out the vote in this crucial battleground state. 

Click here for a video of the last few minutes of Obama's speech. And here's a touching video of an elderly volunteer who had a chance to meet the candidate in Boulder.

Direct download: APC_70_Obama_in_Denver_2.mp3
Category:Politics -- posted at: 7:56pm EDT

68 Mile High Obama

Barack Obama this week returned to Colorado for a speech at Mountain Range High School in Westminster.  My wife and I arrived at the school at about 5 a.m., which put us in line for a seat upgrade at the last minute and a terrific view of the candidate.  His arrival in the arena was delayed by late-breaking events in Washington, D.C., where the House of Representatives shocked everyone by defeating the financial bailout package. 

Click here for video of the speech.  Click here for text.

Direct download: APC_68_Obama_in_Westminster.mp3
Category:Politics -- posted at: 9:17am EDT

67 Obama's Hard Words and Soft Touch

This episode of m podcast comprises excerpts from Barack Obama's speech September 16, 2008 at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.  I was there with a friend of ours, Tish, from Wyoming, who had an exciting moment at the end of the event.  Also included are reactions to the talk by some of those in attendance, including myself.

The New York Times coverage of the Golden speech is here.  Full video of the speech is here. Daily Kos has text of advance copy of speech, which Obama followed very closely.

For an intelligent analysis of Obama's economic philosophy, I recommend this piece published August 20, 2008 in the New York Times Magazine by David Leonhardt.  Click here for an audio podcast interview with the author.

Music for my podcast is "Going to the Sun" composed and performed by Montana musicians Christine Dickinson, Janet Haarvig and Matthew Lyon, from their Glacier Journey CD.

I welcome your comments at 206-666-274 or PodChronicles@gmail.com.

Direct download: APC_67_Obama_in_Golden.mp3
Category:Politics -- posted at: 11:21pm EDT

66 Talking Politics with Albert Maruggi

Albert Maruggi, my well-connected Republican Twitter friend who lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, has great insights into the convention going on in his hometown this week.  Albert was a key GOP staffer when Dan Quayle was chosen as Bush I's VP, so his memories are good preparation for tonight's big speech by Gov. Sarah Palin.  In this telephone interview today, he also tells why watching Palin is a NASCAR experience.

You can listen to our other "Utterzly Political" conversations here or here.

The music for my podcast is "Going to the Sun," composed and performed by Montana musicians Christine Dickinson, Janet Haarvig and Matthew Lyon.  It’s from their excellent Glacier Journey CD.

Direct download: APC_66_Albert_Maruggi.mp3
Category:Politics -- posted at: 7:58pm EDT

65 DNC Preview

Chris Lopez, communications director for the 2008 Denver Host Committee,
took time out of a VERY busy day today to preview what's ahead in
Denver once the Democratic National Convention gets under way this
weekend.  He seemed remarkably serene, and he was optimistic that the
convention's protests will be peaceful and full of the good energy of
democracy.  Me too!

UPDATE: I forgot to include the following links mentioned by Chris in the podcast:

The Presidential Experience

Click here for information on Convention events at the Denver Convention Center in the mornings.

Dialog:City

Cinemocracy

2008 Rocky Mountain Roundtables

Direct download: APC_65_Chris_Lopez.m4a
Category:Politics -- posted at: 7:39pm EDT

Interview on August 19, 2008 with Chris Lopez - .mp3 version.

Direct download: APC_65_Chris_Lopez.mp3
Category:Politics -- posted at: 7:38pm EDT

mp3 version of Episode 62, A dilly of a Denver Police Commander.

Direct download: APC_61_Cmdr_Dilly.mp3
Category:Politics -- posted at: 6:58am EDT

62 A Dilly of a Denver Police Commander

Denver Police Commander Debra Dillly heads District 6, the core downtown area.  On July 8, 2008 she addressed a meeting of homeowners from three downtown condominium buildings, including the one I live in. She gave the best overview I've heard so far of what it's really going to be like in my neighborhood August 25-28 when the Democratic National Convention comes to town.  Now I will how to tell Obama's motorcade from President Carter's, how regular police work will be handled, the effect of the convention on Denver's homeless population, and what NOT to do if I get tear-gassed.

Note: The audio calls this episode 61, but in fact it's number 62.  Credit the error to sleep deprivation.

Direct download: APC_61_Cmdr_Dilly.m4a
Category:Politics -- posted at: 6:51am EDT


Direct download: APC_59_Libertarians.mp3
Category:Politics -- posted at: 1:21am EDT

59 Among the Libertarians I visited the Libertarian Party national convention this past weekend in Denver.  On Sunday night I spoke with Bob Sullentrup, who the next morning was reelected national party secretary.  On Monday I returned in time to catch one of the candidates for national chair, Ernest Hancock, and in the hallways I spoke with several delegates who freely expressed their love of freedom, small government and low taxes. I found it invigorating to be among people who hold their beliefs so passionately.  It was a refreshing break from the never-ending horserace between my candidate, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton, with John McCain waiting in the wings. 

The full video of my interview with Bob Sullentrup is available here.
Direct download: APC_59_Libertarians.m4a
Category:Politics -- posted at: 2:02am EDT


Direct download: APC_57_Chris_Lopez.mp3
Category:Politics -- posted at: 12:35am EDT

57 Waiting for the Democrats Chris Lopez, communications director for the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee, spoke with me two days ago about preparations for the Democratic National Convention August 25-28 in Denver.  He's got a big job, coordinating an expected 15,000 or so journalists who will cover what he calls the Superbowl of Politics.  Our conversation provided an intriguing look inside the massive effort going on here in Denver to get ready for an historic event.
Direct download: APC_57_Chris_Lopez.m4a
Category:Politics -- posted at: 12:19am EDT


Direct download: 55_Obama_mp3.mp3
Category:Politics -- posted at: 12:33am EDT

55 Reaction to Obama's Big Speech Republican Albert Maruggi, founder of Provident Partners and host of the Marketing Edge podcast, and Democrat Kesler Woodward, a renowned painter friend of mine from Fairbanks, Alaska, responded to my Twitter invitation today and gave their takes on Barack Obama's speech yesterday on race relations.  

Albert mentioned the New Communications Forum April 22-25, 2008 at The Vineyard Creek Inn & Spa in Sonoma County, CA.

Check out Kes's art and accounts of his creative process here.

I'd love to hear from you, so please feel free to leave an audio comment at 206-339-4717. Or e-mail me at PodChronicles@gmail.com.

Music for the podcast is "Going to the Sun" composed and performed by Montana musicians Christine Dickinson, Janet Haarvig and Matthew Lyon, from their Glacier Journey CD.
Direct download: 55_Obama_Speech.m4a
Category:Politics -- posted at: 12:21am EDT

54 Leaving Texas My wife and I drove from Denver to the Panhandle of Texas to help out with the Obama campaign. This episode contains interviews at the watch party last night and some observations of where things stand the morning after. We leave as soon as I get this podcast finished for the long ride home.


Direct download: APC54_Texas.m4a
Category:Politics -- posted at: 9:18am EDT

52 Colorado Caucus Last night I participated in a Democratic caucus in Denver as a Precinct Captain for Barack Obama. This podcast contains interviews with fellow caucus goers and the general sounds of a very full school auditorium My precinct, 521, went 60-40 for Obama, and Colorado gave Obama a tidy 67% share of the caucus votes. Music for the podcast is "Going to the Sun" composed and performed by Montana musicians Christine Dickinson, Janet Haarvig and Matthew Lyon, from their Glacier Journey CD. Further information at http://earthpassage.com/glacier.htm
Direct download: APC_52_Caucus.m4a
Category:Politics -- posted at: 10:42pm EDT

39 Barack's N.H. Birthday Gift August 4, 2007 was the 46th birthday of Barack Obama, and the New Hampshire campaign celebrated with a canvass in several cities. I answered the call to go to Portsmouth, where I spent four hours in very hot weather knocking on doors in nearby Dover.  My partner was Will Gattis of Falmouth, Maine, who happens to be a terrific singer-songwriter, as well as a young man who believes Obama is a dream candidate who just might change the country.  You can hear "Christopher," Will's song that closes the podcast, and several others at his MySpace page .
Direct download: APC39_Obama_Canvass.m4a
Category:Politics -- posted at: 2:15pm EDT

36 The Obama-Romney Connection I think I've uncovered something that connects Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, in an odd sort of way.  I'm an unabashed Obama backer, but I am also intrigued by Romney. This episode contains excerpts of a huge conference call with Obama, as well as Romney on Leno and a famous quote from Romney's father, George.

(Note: Despite what I say in the audio, this is Episode 36)

Direct download: APC36_Obama.m4a
Category:Politics -- posted at: 12:52am EDT

20 One Guy's Take on The Audacity of Hope John Joseph of Denver responded to an invitation to a podcast interview that I posted through the Mile High for Obama group at BarackObama.com. Having just finished The Audacity of Hope, I was looking for someone to discuss the book with me.  John, who is 27 and a programmer, met me at a Starbucks and shared insightful perspectives on the book and what he thinks may be ahead in the long campaign.  I liked the originality and nuance of his opinions.  For example, near the end of the interview he revealed why, even though he is a huge fan of Obama, he might actually prefer another Democrat to win the nomination this time, with Obama as Veep.  Not that he wouldn't be thrilled to see Obama elected president in 2008.  Anyway, it was great getting to know John through the Obama web site, which is smartly designed to make it easy for Obama supporters to connect and share ideas and activities.
Direct download: APC20_Obama_Book.m4a
Category:Politics -- posted at: 9:03pm EDT

17 Podcasting for President Which presidential aspirants are taking the best advantage of podcasting's potential?  A review of the candidates' offerings on iTunes shows John McCain and Rudy Giuliani as no-shows.  Hillary's well-done video chats don't show up in iTunes, but there is an old podcast in the directory which doesn't do much to help her, and she should take it down ASAP.  At the head of the presidential podcasting class are Tom Vilsack, John Edwards, and Barack Obama.  Mitt Romney has an effective enthusiast's site up, MyManMitt.com featuring the MittCast, hosted by Justin Hart.  This episode of the Audio Pod Chronicles, recorded in Denver, contains excerpts from the podcasts and thoughts about what works and what doesn't in this powerful new medium.

Direct download: APC_17_Political_Podcasts.m4a
Category:Politics -- posted at: 10:42pm EDT

14 Tale of Two Voices Can Hillary overcome the shrillness of her voice?  Can Obama demonstrate  substance worthy of his own charismatic voice? 

I pondered these questions as I spent much of today listening to a speech which Hillary Clinton delivered last October to the Council on Foreign Relations, comparing it with the latest episode of Barack Obama's weekly podcast.  What I thought would be a simple win for Obama turned out to be a little more complicated.  If all goes as expected, this will be a most interesting contest.
Direct download: 14_Tale_of_Two_Voices.m4a
Category:Politics -- posted at: 1:49am EDT

13 Obama & JFK I didn't think much of a criticism that Gary Hart made about Obama in a recent podcast interview with Sam Tanenhaus, editor of the New York Times Book Review.  But it roused me to prepare this consideration of Obama in light of John F. Kennedy's leadership during the Cold War. And  I did agree with most of what Hart had to say in his Times review of Obama's The Audacity of Hope.

I can't say enough good things about the three-part podcast from which I excerpted audio on JFK and the Cold War.  I found it on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's "The Best of Ideas Podcast" hosted by Paul Kennedy.  The web site says the links won't be up permanently, so grab them soon if you're interested.  Here they are:  Part One, Part Two and Part Three.

"Going to the Sun" by Montana musicians Christine Dickinson, Janet Haarvig and Matthew Lyon is from the Glacier Journey CD.  Used by permission.

Direct download: 13_JFK_and_Obama.m4a
Category:Politics -- posted at: 6:22pm EDT