basically, if I am ambivalent about the success of a particular panel, I don't have to worry about being a good soldier and relentlessly hammering the party line without any critical thought.

Not that I'm saying that "Playing to Pocketbooks," the panel on economic populism, went poorly. not by a long shot. But economic issues have been arising all day, along with debates as to their centrality to the progressive message. So it felt a little low energy for such a hot topic, with only a few questions eliciting applause or strong enthusiasm.

This is an issue we HAVE to get excited about if we're going to be the messengers of the progressive party. More later, with specifics from the speakers and questions.