Where did the idea for the Shadow Conventions come from?
The concept for Shadow Conventions 2000 emerged from a series of conversations this spring between author and nationally syndicated columnist Arianna Huffington and a number of writers, political analysts, policy experts, public interest advocates, entrepreneurs, artists, public officials, and concerned citizens. Now more than ever, the two major party conventions are in thrall to an ever more privatized political process and the short-term smugness of the moment. Rather than continue their once proud tradition of fostering political debate, they are presenting the country with pre-programmed live infomercials, what is known in the public relations trade as “event marketing.” We are countering the conventional, intervening in a sagging political process by staging shadow conventions to parallel the Republicans and the Democrats. We will take advantage of the massive media presence at these events to put a sharply defined agenda of participatory and anticipatory politics before the coun
