I just wanted to say that I think it is interesting Caroline Giuliani supports Barack Obama.

http://www.slate.com/id/2171730/

YearlyKos was great! I met a lot of fantastic people, learned about everything from the mechanics of working on a local blog to how unions approach online organizing, and drank way too much for my health. Curiously, I spent most of my time there completely offline, only checking my e-mail once the whole 4 days I was in Chicago.

My only major complaint was that the convention center was way too big - some panels were separated by a 15 minute walk.

it is good to get away from kos's name, since it is endlessly confusing to distinguish kos/dailykos/yearlykos for the general public/media.

I had an absolutely wonderful time.

I have written my thoughts on each day at my personal blog at http://homepage.mac.com/derekcbart/iblog /index.html if anyone is interested in reading about my thoughts on the convention.

-Derek

I thought it was great. There are some areas for improvement, which I'm sure will be improved next time (the large space, the expense.. basically the same thing people have already said elsewhere). But for a mostly volunteer effort on a budget, it was superb.

I had a really good time, though both my liver and my head are really mad at me at the moment.

I think renaming it is a great idea, since it is not a convention of Daily Kos readers/writers/commenters but rather folks from all corners of the blog, net-activist, and progressive org. world.

I had to miss the first day because of work and, due to poor planning on my part, my hotel was way, way, way far away.  On my way, I wondered whether I was making a mistake?  No mistake and a pox on me for not getting a room at the Hyatt early on!  It was terrific.  So many highlights: the panel of former Republicans, Drew Westen, the candidates forum, and much more.  

I got to go to Chris Dodd's breakout and I really liked him.  I'll send him some money.  Edwards did a great job in the forum and it was interesting to see Hillary get put in a box. Still, we've got some great candidates.  

I left feeling that the ones who are best able to handle the job are Hillary, Dodd and Edwards.  The Republicans will get nasty and those three could take it.  I left feeling that Obama is not quite up to the task, although he is a very appealing candidate and a transitional figure.

I thanked Gina Cooper and told her it was great.  After I told her it was the most fun I had had in a long time, she said, "That's what I want to hear!" and gave me a hug!

I was in Las Vegas on business when the first one started last year, but did not go.  I regretted it and immediately decided to attend this year's.  I am so glad I did.