Speaking of fair…

…fair is fair, and this isn't…

First, the DCCC screwed up the format of the call so that it was one directional. The blogosphere by nature is a fan of communicating-with instead of talking-at. Then Congressman Emanuel actually went out of his way to blab about the one-directional nature being a good thing and then talked about wanting more of it.

I know the truth is pretty mundane, and doesn't serve Bob Brigham's vendetta against the DCCC. I wish he'd let it go. His efforts to paint the institutions of the Party itself as the enemy of the institution of the Party itself is a bit of latent Deanerism (a political philosophy that has about as much to do with the actual Howard Dean as 'Christianity' has to do with the actual Jesus of Nazareth) that serves all Democrats poorly.

What Rahm Emanuel did was joke about how handy it could be if he could impose conference call style rules on conversations with his three elementary school age children, mechanically forcing them to take turns. Showing respect for the rights of others and taking turns can be challenging concepts for elementary school age children. It's really not at all uncommon in the realm of adult conversation, though, and I don't imagine that most folks felt all that constrained by their inability to shout down the Congressman. I don't know how many folks were on the invite list, but lots, I hope. Too many for a wide open gabfest to be practical, I'm sure.

In fact, the great majority of the time was given over to questions, which Rep. Emanuel answered candidly and with an impressive wealth of detail about specific races, candidates and prospective candidates. I don't know how the questions were dispersed, but I got one, and so did Bob Brigham. Seems like a pretty even spread.

Throughout the call, Rahm Emanuel repeatedly demonstrated respect for the potential of the blogosphere and recognition of the need for more communication in both directions. He also told a joke about getting his kids to engage in civil discourse.

Granted, as a comedian, he's an excellent political strategist, but fair is fair, and Brigham's version of the event isn't.