Blogger/Author Chat with Jeffrey Feldman: MI Native, Political Framer, MI Policy Summit Guest

by: LiberalLucy

Fri May 09, 2008 at 09:47:14 AM EDT

Becoming a progressive framer begins with changing a set of habits with respect to how we receive and process information. Framers make a choice to stop being passive consumers of political debate and to start producing the debate themselves-to seek out the situations where politics happens and drive the debate.

Progressive framers must be willing to step into the shoes of the traditional media. Gone are the days of reading one daily newspaper to get information; framers must read dozens of sources each day, tracking political ideas and issues as they take shape across the broad landscape of media- driven contemporary politics.

Blogs are the central haunting ground for progressive framers because they offer a nexus between political organizations, mass media, and the chatter of popular culture.

A Tongue in Cheek Chat with Cliff Schecter: Funny Man, Blogger and Author of The Real McCain

by: LiberalLucy

Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:38:33 AM EDT

He's wickedly funny, sharp as a tack, manages to make Republicans look like bumbling fools on national TV, and now he's exposing The Real McCain.

He's Cliff Schecter, and if you're a regular viewer of CNN, MSNBC, or even Faux News, chances are you've probably seen him in his element taking on the Republican mouthpieces, making you laugh and them cringe. I've been lucky to have him as a mentor and now as a friend, and for me, he's one of those people that I want to be more like when I "grow up".

This blogger turned author is also the same guy who brought you the now-infamous Republican Sexcapades on Air America. His first book recently released is very appropriately titled The Real McCain: Why Conservatives Don't Trust Him, and Why Independents Shouldn't and it's the perfect book to read, and then pass around to the poor confused souls in your life. Chances are they'll thank you afterwards.

I got the book shortly after it was released and couldn't put it down. I could try some fancy prose to describe how good it really is, but I think Sam Seder of Air America hit it spot on -

"Cliff Schecter is either the funniest smart person or the smartest funny person. Either way, this book is exactly America needs. A laugh-out-loud map of McCain's Straight Talk Express - complete with swerves, u-turns, and dubious pit stops."