Here is My Proposition
Out here in the blogopshere, we are a pretty feisty bunch. We are all in this together -- but we do not always see eye-to-eye. And sometimes, we need to sort out our differences of opinion. Like this time.
The Boston-based Left Center Left has responded to my recent post about Deval Patrick's campaign for governor of Massachusetts -- and has offered a radically different prediction regarding the level of interest the rest of the nation will have in his candidacy:
"Frederick Clarkson considers the rising momentum of the Patrick campaign, then engages in what has to be either brilliant anti-CW [conventional wisdom] prescience or absurd overstatement: 'Deval Patrick's race for governor of Massachusetts will be one of the most talked about, reported on and influential races for any office anywhere in the United States in 2006. He is progressive, prochoice, pro-marriage equality, antideath penalty -- and he has a good shot at being the next Democratic governor of Massachusetts.' Let me venture this: no race in Massachusetts this time around will be influential, talked about or heavily reported on outside our borders."
Hmm. LCL's prediction could be brilliantly prescient (in a CW kind of way), or absurdly overstated.
So there you have it, blogospherians: Two pretty clear positions staked out well before the governor's race starts to really heat up this fall. Whose prediction will turn out to be brilliantly prescient -- or absurdly overstated? What do you think? Only one of us can be right (or even mostly right) about this.
So here is my proposition:
If my prediction holds up better than LCL's, I would like a pint of Berkshire Brewing Company's Lost Sailor India Pale Ale at a bar in Northampton. And if LCL's prediction turns out to have more reality to it than mine -- the choice of brew (or comparable beverage) and an excellent location for consumption, is his.
I invite our fellow MA political bloggers to referee -- and to join us when the loser brings the winner his pint.
The Boston-based Left Center Left has responded to my recent post about Deval Patrick's campaign for governor of Massachusetts -- and has offered a radically different prediction regarding the level of interest the rest of the nation will have in his candidacy:
"Frederick Clarkson considers the rising momentum of the Patrick campaign, then engages in what has to be either brilliant anti-CW [conventional wisdom] prescience or absurd overstatement: 'Deval Patrick's race for governor of Massachusetts will be one of the most talked about, reported on and influential races for any office anywhere in the United States in 2006. He is progressive, prochoice, pro-marriage equality, antideath penalty -- and he has a good shot at being the next Democratic governor of Massachusetts.' Let me venture this: no race in Massachusetts this time around will be influential, talked about or heavily reported on outside our borders."
Hmm. LCL's prediction could be brilliantly prescient (in a CW kind of way), or absurdly overstated.
So there you have it, blogospherians: Two pretty clear positions staked out well before the governor's race starts to really heat up this fall. Whose prediction will turn out to be brilliantly prescient -- or absurdly overstated? What do you think? Only one of us can be right (or even mostly right) about this.
So here is my proposition:
If my prediction holds up better than LCL's, I would like a pint of Berkshire Brewing Company's Lost Sailor India Pale Ale at a bar in Northampton. And if LCL's prediction turns out to have more reality to it than mine -- the choice of brew (or comparable beverage) and an excellent location for consumption, is his.
I invite our fellow MA political bloggers to referee -- and to join us when the loser brings the winner his pint.
posted by Frederick Clarkson at 4:55 PM
6 Comments:
"influential, talked about or heavily reported on outside our borders"
Are those the criteria? Pretty vague, if you ask me. Do I have to watch cable news? Ugh.
Still, I'll judge... OFF WITH THEIR HEADS! Jes' kiddin'...
I'll join in on the drinking part. *hic* I try not to judge people. ;)
And hey Charley, maybe you'll catch another great moment with Robert Novak if you watch CNN long enough...you'll have to wait though, he's on "break" for now. They's not happy with his "bullshit."
Again, I don't know why they haven't FIRED the guy yet...
So is part of this that Patrick has to actually win--or that the campaign just has to get a lot of attention outside of the state?
Does Peter Pan Bus Co. run out to Northampton?
Thanks Charley and all. The criteria are indeed a bit vague, that is why we need your wise counsel and political discernement here. And no, cable news watching is not required. Maybe a Google News search or two.
And as for Whit's question, no Patrick doesn't have to win to get noticed around the country. Just by being who he is and running the kind of campaign he intends to run, and getting the kind of support he is likely to get -- he will get noticed and talked about.
If he does win the primary, of course, it will be huge.
And yes, the Peter Pan station is right downtown a just a few blocks from any of the bars that might be selected for the ocasion. But of course, if it turns out that my prediction had sufficient reality to it to be judged the winner, it may be that some Boston area bloggers might carpool it out this way.
Why does all the interesting stuff always seem to happen while I'm on vacation?
I'm in, for drinkin' or judgin' or both. I'll try to be impartial, but I have to say that unless Patrick wins the nomination, I don't think you've got a shot, Fred.
Glad you are on board for this, sco. Am I full of it? This is the question, isn't it? Well part of the question. I think there is an argument to be made that Patrick should be of national as well as local interest, even if in the end, he turns out not to be. I will weigh in on that point from time to time.
But I remain confident in my prediction that Patrick will get national attention sufficient to win the bet.
Arguments, facts, working hypotheses and flat out wild ass speculations relevant to the wager are welcome and encouraged on this New England hay ride.
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