Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Still running
Gabriele Romagnoli, a distinguished columnist of La Repubblica, asked me to withdraw. Here's my answer (campaign diary part 3).
Gabriele Romagnoli, a distinguished columnist of La Repubblica, asked me to withdraw. Here's my answer (campaign diary part 3).
Friday, September 19, 2003
This is crazy! (but good)
Just emerged from two days of complete madness: the below-mentioned interview sparked a huge fire: two news agencies (adnkronos and Agenzia Italia) picked up the story, three newspapers (La Stampa, Libero, La Padania) and one magazine (Venerdì della Repubblica) had it on today's edition. I also recorded one interview with Rtsi (swiss national radio in italian) and went live on two national public radio shows (Radio due - Caterpillar, Radio tre - Mondo). Last but not least, my website got a lot of help from two american sites (madville.com and attu.blogspot.com). I'm exhausted!
Just emerged from two days of complete madness: the below-mentioned interview sparked a huge fire: two news agencies (adnkronos and Agenzia Italia) picked up the story, three newspapers (La Stampa, Libero, La Padania) and one magazine (Venerdì della Repubblica) had it on today's edition. I also recorded one interview with Rtsi (swiss national radio in italian) and went live on two national public radio shows (Radio due - Caterpillar, Radio tre - Mondo). Last but not least, my website got a lot of help from two american sites (madville.com and attu.blogspot.com). I'm exhausted!
Thursday, September 18, 2003
Tuesday, September 16, 2003
Campaign diary: part 2
Still in italian, unfortunately. But if you start sending donations I'll be able to pay for the translation...
Still in italian, unfortunately. But if you start sending donations I'll be able to pay for the translation...
Monday, September 15, 2003
Endorsements
Nina, Susy & Lili said yes. At least the family is secured. I think Dorothy gave me her blessing too...
Nina, Susy & Lili said yes. At least the family is secured. I think Dorothy gave me her blessing too...
Friday, September 12, 2003
A letter from Texas
Dear Mr. Contini:
From the list of wished-for endorsements, it is obvious that you side with the progressive viewpoint for America. Yet the monied conservatives and fundamentalists seem to have a stranglehold on the "heartland" (whose motto appears to be: Bush said it, I believe it, that settles it!" And in spite of Krugman's, Kristof's, Herbert's, and Dowd's almost daily exposes, the heartland is oblivious to the thefts and dismantling of American infrastructure. How can this be changed?
Andrew Zwarun - Austin, TX
Dear Mr. Zwarun,
having spent some time in Georgia, from 1999 to 2001, I am well aware of the heartland’s deepest convictions. Actually, ever since I returned to Italy I’ve tried desperately to convince people that there’s more to America than the East coast or California, and that their idea of the "average American" wildly misunderestimates (forgive me: bushisms are irresistible) the complexity of the country. By the same token, however, I am just as convinced that there’s much more to the heartland than my fellow American leftists are willing to admit.
One small example, and I’m quoting something that really struck me when I first heard it: among the strongest opponents of the embargo on Cuba (a political insanity, in my opinion, that only strengthens Fidel Castro) are the farmers in Mississippi. They’re not socialists, of course, all they want is to be able to sell their crops to a potentially profitable market. But this is what human nature is all about. They go against the mainstream because it is in their best interest to do so. So, are we sure that the same principle cannot apply in many similar cases? With insurance costs rising in 3 years by nearly 50%, are we really that far from the day when we'll be once again "allowed" to talk about a national health system? (while almost everyone in the Midwest travels to Canada to buy medicines). Obviously, I don’t expect the heartland to turn progressive, I simply believe that certain issues may become viable.
I will certainly not be the one to make this happen. But my little presidential experiment is aimed to test the resistance of a few stereotypes. If it can be done while having fun (and believe me, I am), all the better.
Thanks for your kindness, Marco Contini
Dear Mr. Contini:
From the list of wished-for endorsements, it is obvious that you side with the progressive viewpoint for America. Yet the monied conservatives and fundamentalists seem to have a stranglehold on the "heartland" (whose motto appears to be: Bush said it, I believe it, that settles it!" And in spite of Krugman's, Kristof's, Herbert's, and Dowd's almost daily exposes, the heartland is oblivious to the thefts and dismantling of American infrastructure. How can this be changed?
Andrew Zwarun - Austin, TX
Dear Mr. Zwarun,
having spent some time in Georgia, from 1999 to 2001, I am well aware of the heartland’s deepest convictions. Actually, ever since I returned to Italy I’ve tried desperately to convince people that there’s more to America than the East coast or California, and that their idea of the "average American" wildly misunderestimates (forgive me: bushisms are irresistible) the complexity of the country. By the same token, however, I am just as convinced that there’s much more to the heartland than my fellow American leftists are willing to admit.
One small example, and I’m quoting something that really struck me when I first heard it: among the strongest opponents of the embargo on Cuba (a political insanity, in my opinion, that only strengthens Fidel Castro) are the farmers in Mississippi. They’re not socialists, of course, all they want is to be able to sell their crops to a potentially profitable market. But this is what human nature is all about. They go against the mainstream because it is in their best interest to do so. So, are we sure that the same principle cannot apply in many similar cases? With insurance costs rising in 3 years by nearly 50%, are we really that far from the day when we'll be once again "allowed" to talk about a national health system? (while almost everyone in the Midwest travels to Canada to buy medicines). Obviously, I don’t expect the heartland to turn progressive, I simply believe that certain issues may become viable.
I will certainly not be the one to make this happen. But my little presidential experiment is aimed to test the resistance of a few stereotypes. If it can be done while having fun (and believe me, I am), all the better.
Thanks for your kindness, Marco Contini
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Meet the press
First, major success of the campaign: an interview on Cnn's italian website. Way to go!
First, major success of the campaign: an interview on Cnn's italian website. Way to go!
Tuesday, September 09, 2003
Monday, September 08, 2003
Let's talk it over
I've added an email address: if you write, I'll answer. And the most interesting exchanges will be posted on this site.
I've added an email address: if you write, I'll answer. And the most interesting exchanges will be posted on this site.
Thursday, September 04, 2003
The chase has begun
The news has gone public. First reactions, almost enthusiastic. An old friend has even offered to publish an interview on a leading all news website. Talked to my campaign manager in Indiana: he sounded very optimistic.
The official campaign website is online!
The news has gone public. First reactions, almost enthusiastic. An old friend has even offered to publish an interview on a leading all news website. Talked to my campaign manager in Indiana: he sounded very optimistic.
The official campaign website is online!
Wednesday, September 03, 2003
Late nights already!
I had to stay up until 2 am (italian time, that is Gmt+1) to write the draft of the formal announcement. Actually, I'm still working on it: you know, add a word here, a quote there. But now it's a matter of hours. Tomorrow's papers - er... tomorrow's paper, singular, as so far only Il Riformista has decided to follow my campaign - will have a full report of this new, extraordinary adventure. Stay posted. And as soon as my webmaster has finished fiddling with the html, be sure to visit my official campaign website. Ciao.
I had to stay up until 2 am (italian time, that is Gmt+1) to write the draft of the formal announcement. Actually, I'm still working on it: you know, add a word here, a quote there. But now it's a matter of hours. Tomorrow's papers - er... tomorrow's paper, singular, as so far only Il Riformista has decided to follow my campaign - will have a full report of this new, extraordinary adventure. Stay posted. And as soon as my webmaster has finished fiddling with the html, be sure to visit my official campaign website. Ciao.
Running!
I know, i'm a bit late. But it took a while to get things started. Anyway, this is it. I'm running for president.
I know, i'm a bit late. But it took a while to get things started. Anyway, this is it. I'm running for president.
