In Attendance: Andrew, Andy, Holly, Renda. Absent: Geoff, Jen

This morning brought the winds of lively national conversation through the open window of 801a. With today (finally) bringing our nation its first primary, the rules of polite company were broken as we shared our opinions on this exciting race.

Rhetoric was kept mostly at the level of observation, rather than attempts at persuasion. Democrats all, Andy reminded us that any of our major contenders would likely make an excellent president. As Geoff would say, we were clearly in a “safe space.”

It turns out Renda [last name withheld] is registered to vote in two different states. Where would her vote count most? And who would she cast it for? The wheels were visibly turning. Her flirtation with NYC’s own RENT IS TOO DAMN HIGH PARTY led Andy to discover that they endorse McCain, shortly before Renda learned that they were also openly anti-semitic. A shame, as their website is among the best I’ve seen.

Holly and I did a little assenting — and Andy did a little dissenting — with Gloria Steinem’s Op-Ed in the Times today. She postulates that Obama’s “appeal to the heart” strategy combined with his thin résumé would almost certainly lead to electoral failure if he were a woman. Perhaps aware that the decidedly feminist presidential moment widely thought inevitable was likely derailed, we spent some moments reminiscing about our mothers’ politics. Thinking about the unlikelihood of a gay presidential candidate being taken seriously, I noted the continued need for feminist roll models; to me it seems that the continued renovation of our assumptions about what strength looks like would benefit my community too.

It was noted that despite his good position on gay marriage, Kucinich claims to have seen UFOs, and some research on his wife was performed.

I divulged that I voted for Sharpton in 2004.

The conversation ended after about thirty minutes, as we shifted to puzzling over the phenomenon of vegans who eat bacon.