Democratic Convention Protest Groups Split
[Guest post by DRJ]
Even last November, Democrats like Bill Richardson were urging partisan Democrats to just get along. However, the general election is 6 months away and there is no sign that Obama and Clinton will end their heated contest before the Democratic Convention.
Now the Denver Post reports that rifts have developed between liberal organizations that plan protests at the Democratic convention:
“A close ally with the local war protest group Re-create 68, which is organizing for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, is severing its ties, the group told R-68 today.
Tent State University, a national group represented locally by Adam Jung, says it is having trouble organizing support and bands to perform because of the violent imagery associated with R-68’s name, and with recent heated rhetoric from R-68 organizer Glenn Spagnuolo, who has been the face of the local effort to date.
From the outset, Spagnuolo’s group has attracted criticism because of its name, which suggests for many the violence outside the convention hall in Chicago in 1968. “We don’t feel that Re-create-68 is working well with the anti-war left,” Jung said.
Medea Benjamin, co-founder of the national group CodePink, seconded concerns over R-68’s message and image, saying she wanted to portray the anti-war message as positively as possible. But Benjamin didn’t rule out working with R-68, as long as the group’s message conformed with CodePink’s.”
Benjamin said Code Pink wanted to work with all groups but was interested in projecting a more “positive message” at the Convention. However, Spagnuolo expressed disappointment and suggested the rift was the fault of “conservative liberal groups.” He would not elaborate on what he meant by that.
It could get hot in Denver this August.
— DRJ
I’m booking my tickets to see this show in person…
Scott Jacobs (d3a6ec) — 5/5/2008 @ 8:30 pmYou can be our on-the-scene blogging reporter, Scott.
DRJ (a431ca) — 5/5/2008 @ 8:32 pm“…T(K)ent State University…A close ally with the local war protest group Re-create 68…”
Yeh, no problems with violent imagery there.
What a bunch of putzes.
Another Drew (8018ee) — 5/5/2008 @ 8:38 pmSpagnuolo is a loon. It is so hilarious to see the loons falling out.
The DNC in August is going to be a circus. One that will drive at least 5 points away from their nominee in November.
SPQR (26be8b) — 5/5/2008 @ 8:40 pmLive, from in prison!!
Because as if I wouldn’t get hauled off by the cops…
Scott Jacobs (d3a6ec) — 5/5/2008 @ 8:54 pmif it gets hot enough, the pop corn will cook itself!
/butter on mine please %-)
redc1c4 (292479) — 5/5/2008 @ 11:06 pm“…suggested the rift was the fault of “conservative liberal groups. He would not elaborate on what he meant by that.”
It’s very simple. There are liberal liberal groups, conservative liberal groups, liberal conservative groups, and conservative conservative groups.
Donald Rumsfeld (977074) — 5/5/2008 @ 11:46 pm“A modern revolutionary group heads for the television station.”
Horatio (55069c) — 5/6/2008 @ 6:20 am–Abbie Hoffman
SPQR is correct. Spagnuolo has a history in Denver and is a complete A**.
I pass within 2 blocks of th pepsi center (convention location…non-union…that part always makes me laugh) and change buses 1 block from the “tent city” planned for the civic center. I’m sure I’m going to wear my camera out going to and from work thru these idiots.
MaaddMaaxx (5d8bb9) — 5/6/2008 @ 8:48 pmMM
I hope you share your experiences with us, MM.
DRJ (a431ca) — 5/6/2008 @ 8:52 pma clown festival of liberal socialist idiots
liberalsarebraindead (1c8841) — 8/22/2008 @ 7:51 pmkool aid drinkers unite
liberalsarebraindead (1c8841) — 8/22/2008 @ 7:56 pm