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Politics

Patrick Murphy: Another One to Watch

In the spirit of introducing you to rising stars in the Democratic party, we humbly submit for nomination one Patrick Murphy, Congressman from the Pennsylvania 8th.

If Brian Schweitzer is the model of the new frontier democrat, Murphy is his eastern seaboard counterpart: young (he's 34), energetic, moderate. And his resume is so perfect it's almost a caricature of what the party is looking for: blue collar upbringing, Iraq war veteran (the only one serving in congress), professor at West Point, and a lawyer to boot. He also won his seat in congress by delivering big in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, which Obama failed to do in the primary but will need to do in the general.

He was flanked on stage last night by 25 fellow young veterans, and waxed indignant about veterans affairs under Bush. He had some cutting lines, and looked good delivering them. Keep your eyes on this one.

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Posted on August 28, 2008 by - Zach Frechette
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Politics

How To Make A Historic Speech

In preparation for this night of dramatic speech-making, we encourage you to take a trip around the internet to see what history has to offer in this department. Oh look, we've done the hard work for you! Here are links to the highest ranked convention addresses from American Rhetoric's list of the top 100 speeches of the 20th century*:

Barbara Jordan in 1976 (rank on the top 100 list: 5)

Mario Cuomo in 1984 (rank: 11)

Jesse Jackson also in 1984 (rank: 12)

Dorothy Ann Willis Richards in 1988 (rank: 38)

Jesse Jackson also in 1988 (rank: 51)

Hubert Humphrey in 1948 (rank: 66)

Ted Kennedy in 1980 (rank: 76)

Elizabeth Glaser in 1992 (rank: 81)

And look again, someone's done the hard work for us! Here are a handful of other people's lists of must-watch convention speeches: Readers Digest, Real Clear Politics, and U.S. News and World Report.

*This is an important distinction, because it leaves off Obama's 2004 convention speech, and William Jennings Bryan's in 1896, both of which are on virtually every other list.

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Posted on August 28, 2008 by - Zach Frechette
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Politics

Pumpkin Perfection

Glad they didn't go with the red. Not that we think it matters what the senator wears, we just think it's interesting that someone does, and to this degree. More color analysis at Core77.

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Posted on August 27, 2008 by - Zach Frechette
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Politics

Real Convention Coverage

Given the distinct lack of mystery about the actual proceedings at the conventions, it's always interesting to watch news outlets scramble to figure out what, exactly, they're going to cover. Not surprisingly, several sites have risen to the occasion. Here's a totally not-comprehensive look at some of the interesting things we've come across:

Slate's hilarious twitter feed, which includes this inspired entry: "This Biden as Vice President headfake is getting really elaborate but I still think Hillary has a chance."

TPMs always classy (if slightly hard to navigate) political reportage has extended to cover the dance in Denver. You have to dig around for it, but they tell you what you need to know. And if you're a moving pictures type, they've also got some cameras rolling.

This guy's kind of intense but still interesting coverage of riot cops at the DNC (and man are there riot cops here).

The Observer has sent a bevy of reporters to the event, and their reporting gets a special home on their site. Nice mix of politics and culture, insider and casual observer. Also, all short (in the good way).

While it's unclear if Radar has actually sent anyone to the mile high city, they're doing their thing. Also, we totally agree about this.

Speaking of Slate, Jack Schaffer really hates on the "Denver snooze" as he calls it.

Finally, Ted Kennedy's 1980 convention speech is referenced about a thousand times a day, so we thought you could use a link to see what all the fuss it about. Part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4. God he looks good. Looking good Ted.

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Posted on August 27, 2008 by - Zach Frechette
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Politics

Rising Stars

Speaking of the Time-hosted breakfast this morning, here's a rundown of the panelists: Cory Booker (pictured), Mayor of Newark; Artur Davis, Democratic congressman from Alabama's 7th district; Kamala D. Harris, District Attorney of San Francisco; Gavin Newsom, Mayor of San Francisco.

Why should you care about these people? Well, for starters they're fascinating up-and-comers in the democratic party who are thoughtful and, in the words of Gavin this morning, "willing to fail" if it means experimenting with bold ideas. But the real reason you should take note is that Time says you should: The guest of honor at the same breakfast in 2004 was a certain junior senator from Illinois. They're kingmakers over there.

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Posted on August 26, 2008 by - Zach Frechette
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Politics

Democratic Fashion, Part II

From our continuing series of real-world encounters at the DNC: We came across this besocked fellow at a Time magazine breakfast this morning. In case you can't tell from the quality of the picture (another continuing series we're doing: blurry photography at the conventions), those are robin's-egg blue tennis socks with a cartoon starfish of indeterminate pedigree emblazoned on them. Not as flashy or patriotic as this guy from yesterday, but still continuing a proud tradition of dressing well for democracy.

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Posted on August 26, 2008 by - Zach Frechette
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Politics

Democratastic!

For all the glory that is democracy in America, it's not always a riveting process. But that won't stop an estimated 35,000 from descending on the mile high city this week to bask in the wonky glow of this year's DNC.

Just to give you a sense of what's happening here, this horrible iPhone photo of a mostly full Denver Pepsi center (seating capacity: between 17,000 and 19,000) was taken this afternoon in the midst of the following activities:
--Introduction of and Report by the Credentials Committee

--Introduction of and Report by the Rules Committee

--Electronic Roll Call of Attendance

--Acknowledgment of President Carter

This isn't exactly face melting excitement, but there's something inspiring about caring so much about the minutiae of democracy. Keep it up, nerds.

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Posted on August 25, 2008 by - Zach Frechette
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Politics

Mile High Club

Greetings from sunny Denver! We're just getting our bearings at the Democratic National Convention, but we plan to be filing erudite and entertaining updates throughout the course of the week. We've set up mobile HQ at the hospitable Matter studio (they're responsible for the excellent image that accompanies this post), and are poised to make our mark on this fine city. Stay tuned...

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Posted on August 25, 2008 by - Zach Frechette
Culture

2 votes

Project 010

For Project 010 we invite readers to come up with a Project idea. — read more

Contributors: Zach Frechette

010: The China Issue - Mar 24 2008

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Culture

2 votes

Project 008

For Project 008 GOOD and Threadless invite you to put a Big Idea on a T-shirt. Rewards in the form of karma and material goodies. — read more

Contributors: GOOD magazine and Zach Frechette

008: Big Ideas! - Dec 05 2007

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Mobility

1 vote

How Do We Stay Safe?

Good design helps keep us safe, and can even save lives. — read more

Contributors: Zach Frechette, Tucker Viemeister, Jorge Colombo, and Rachel Domm

006: Design Solutions - Aug 13 2007

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Environment

7 votes

Green Light

LED lights save energy and time in a Swiss supermarket and a North Carolina parking garage. — read more

Contributors: Zach Frechette

005: For the People - May 24 2007

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Politics

1 vote

GOOD Guide: to North Korea, All Your Currency Are Belong to Us (sec. 9 of 10)

GOOD Guide to North Korea, All Your Currency Are Belong to Us — read more

Posted by Zach Frechette

004: Plan B - Apr 10 2007

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Media

5 votes

The Movie is the Message

French director Rachid Bouchareb's latest film has parlayed the power of cinema into tangible change. — read more

Contributors: Zach Frechette

003: Media Issue - Feb 15 2007

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Art & Design

7 votes

Color of War

Steve Mumford, an artist embedded with the U.S. Army, is recreating daily life in Iraq through art. — read more

Contributors: Zach Frechette and Postmasters Gallery

002: Change Is Good - Dec 08 2006

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Art & Design

11 votes

Melting Shot

Photographing children from every country in the world, in New York. PLUS: GOOD Video Feature — read more

Contributors: Zach Frechette, Danny Goldfield, Lindsay Utz, Evan Savitt, I am a Robot and Proud , and Bristol Baughan

001: I (Heart) America - Nov 22 2006

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