Some thoughts on conventions, etc.

I've spent some time watching David Gregory chatting with Tom Brokaw from the Meet the Press Press Pass.  Some interesting thoughts from the former news anchor, who has been covering political conventions since 1968.  He thinks that they should be a one day affair.

Brokaw, whose first convention was in 1968, thinks week-long political gatherings are unnecessary in today's political environment. He argues that it's time to "rewrite the script" on traditional conventions and reduce them to one day.

"Do that one big night and then have that by satellite transmitted around the country to football stadiums in Chicago, and Denver, and Seattle, and have big get-out-the-vote rallies." This will "re-involve the American people" in the process, he believes.

 It's an interesting thought for sure.  The extra days do help some lesser known politicians get their names out there.  Plus, the smaller meetings with state delegations do help potential candidates with networking for the next go-around.  I guarantee you that potential candidates like Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley is doing all the right things this week.  Having said that, we have to stay focused on this election at the same time.  I'm focused on 2012 but am keeping my eye on 2016, too.

New York Senator Chuck Schumer told Politico that he does not believe a single Democratic incumbent will lose their Senate races.  I agree with the Senator, who I had the pleasure to see in person back in 2004.

While Democrats are defending 23 seats compared to 10 for Republicans, Schumer pointed to five seats currently held by Republicans he said Democrats have a solid chance of taking: in Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Indiana and Arizona. Of seven Democratic seats vacated by retiring senators, Schumer argued, his party is well-positioned to hold on to most of them, including in Republican-leaning North Dakota.

And he predicted that no Democratic incumbent would lose — even in red states like Missouri and Montana and swing states like Ohio and Florida.

I'd have to agree with those predictions.  A lot has changed since the Tea Party tidal wave in 2010, mainly the fact that they are not allowing anything to get done in Washington.  They are blocking any kind of real progress, or compromise, for that matter.