The Denver County Democratic Convention

I spent yesterday at the county Democratic convention. The main item of controversy there was, of course, the Bennet/Romanoff Senate contest. So it was sort of like the Obama/Clinton split at the county convention two years ago, only without the acrimony. I just saw very little tension between the candidates' supporters. Pretty much everyone there likes Romanoff and also thinks Bennet is doing a fine job as senator. But even in terms of seating, there didn't seem to be the kind of self-segregation I encountered two years ago.

There was one interesting moment of tension. Former mayor Wellington Webb got a few boos when he praised Bennet's handling of Manual High back when Bennet was DPS superintendant. Webb yelled back, telling the booers to go to East High where the county Republicans were meeting.

Romanoff took the county convention 65-35, echoing a pattern in just about every county I've seen in which Romanoff has improved his numbers over caucus night.

I got picked as a delegate to next month's state convention, so I'll report more on that.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

The most polarized cake in America

I went to the UC Davis Political Science Department today to give a talk, only to find that my confectionary arch-nemesis/mentor Sherry Zaks had provided the refreshments.  I can really think of no greater honor than this delectable doppelgänger.

KCRA interview

I'm in the middle of my northern California tour right now.  Things are going really well, and right now I'm sitting outside a La Bou cafe across from the state capitol drinking coffee and taking advantage of free wi-fi and gorgeous weather.  So far things are going very well.  I had a really nice interview this morning on Sacramento's NBC affiliate.  They gave me three and a half minutes, which I think is more time than they devoted to national politics in total.  And the reporter had actually read some of my book, which was much appreciated.

I walk these streets, a loaded laptop on my back...

I begin my big Northern California book tour today.  If you're within range of any of these events, please drop by!

• Wed., 4/7, 12-1:30PM, UC Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies, 118 Moses Hall
• Thu., 4/8, 12-1:30PM, Center for California Studies, 1130 K Street, Suite LL22, Sacramento
• Thu., 4/8, 7-8PM, The Avid Reader Bookstore, 1600 Broadway, Sacramento (flyer here)
• Friday, 4/9, 12-2PM, UC Davis Dept. of Political Science, 693 Kerr Hall

Also, if you live in Sacramento, watch for me on NBC news Thursday morning at 7:40AM.

The Ballet Star Cake

I made this one for my daughter's fifth birthday.  The basic design comes from Lindy Smith's book.  The pleated skirt is my favorite part.

Bennet collecting petitions

According to the Pueblo Chieftain, Sen. Michael Bennet is starting a petition drive to get on the August primary ballot.  This sounds like a smart move to me.  Yes, he got around 43% of the caucus night vote, but what will ultimately determine his spot on the ballot is the vote at the state assembly in May.  Early reports from the county assemblies suggest that Romanoff is picking up big numbers there.  I'm hoping to get some hard numbers there, but my guess is that the Romanoff caucus/assembly-goers are just more hard core and more willing to show up at the multiple stages of this whole nomination process.  It's certainly conceivable that Bennet could end up below 30% by the state assembly, which would require him to petition onto the ballot.

Bad blogger

Apologies for the light blogging.  Between class prep, visiting in-laws, and a frenzied attempt to clean out the house, life's been a bit overwhelming.  I'll try to get back on the ball soon.