Posted on 10/08/2015 6:58:25 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Simon Sidi had a dream: What if there was a crazy convention for die-hard political geeks molded after Comic-Con, a convention for hyperventilating over every tiny development in the world of superheroes, comics and video games?
Enter Politicon, which debuts this weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It runs from 2:30-9:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Sidi is quick to explain it’s far different than other political events that take place inside Washington’s Beltway or at retreats in the Rocky Mountains.
If you’re not sure you want to attend (and no, you don’t have to dress up as Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Ben Carson or Jeb Bush — though it’s encouraged), here are six things to know about what you’ll be stepping into.
1. What is Politicon?
It’s a two-day mash-up of political panel discussions, movie screenings and red-meat speeches from partisan firebrands.
Sidi, whose background is in reality television and worked on “American Idol,” said he envisioned a kaleidoscope of events that would appeal to both political junkies and casual fans of the political process.
“We kind of want to be like Comic-Con. We want to be that platform in the same way Comic-Con is a platform for Marvel and DC Comics,” said Sidi, who is from England but now lives in Los Angeles. “We hope as we grow, people will be able to produce and promote their events.”
2. Isn’t there enough mixing of entertainment and politics these days?
Sidi points out that America has always been transfixed by celebrity in politics. He noted President John F. Kennedy had a royal family vibe, Americans voted for actor Ronald Reagan and Hollywood has always had a relationship with politics. Now Trump is the polling leader in the Republican primary field, and Clinton and Sen. Ted Cruz fill arenas with fans.
“These politicians today are rock stars,” he said.
3. What would be considered a success for the first Politicon?
Sidi said if they draw between 3,000 and 4,000 people over the course of the event, he would be “stoked.” “We’ve hit that number in ticket sales already,” he said.
But they have had trouble scheduling any presidential candidates. He hopes in the future that Politicon becomes a fixture stop — like the Conservative Political Action Conference or the Values Voter Summit — but with more of a vibe borrowed from “The Daily Show” and comic book festivals.
4. What inspired Politicon?
Sidi said he was listening to a podcast of a political event with a live audience. He said he doesn’t remember who was speaking, what the topic was or how long it went. What he did remember was the audience reaction.
“The intensity of the audience reaction — I knew that sound. You hear it every day in my line of work as a producer. I knew right then there was something to be done with that.”
5. What can people expect to see?
There will be the mother of Michael Brown, the black man shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri, who became the focal point of how police interact with minorities. Black Lives Matter, the movement that was born out of Brown’s death — along with the deaths of Freddie Gray, Ezell Ford and others — will be part of a panel discussion moderated by writer and media personality Touré.
Those who want a breakdown of the current presidential campaign can see former Bill Clinton strategist James Carville mix it up with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, President Barack Obama’s former senior adviser David Axelrod and GOP consultant Alex Castellanos. Sidi said he wanted to keep things light as well, so the convention will feature live music from The Founding Fathers (“Ben Franklin’s rap debut!”) and comedy from Lizz Winstead, plus a stand-up set by “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah.
6. How much is it to attend?
General admission is $25 for Friday and $35 for Saturday. If you want to skip lines and grab a bag of swag for both days, it’s $250. Senior citizens get both days for $35. Students and military with identification get in free both days.
Buying that Trump hairpiece or Clinton pantsuit for a costume? You’re on your own.
Sounds like Occupy Wall Street Part 2
With more drugs, alcohol and Communists.
Meghan McCain is attending. That was enough to turn me off.
Had me until “Brown” and “Black lives matter”
Reddit liberals playing politics.
An inch wide and an inch deep.
Of course über RINO GOPe media operative Hugh Hewitt will be there and broadcasting from it.
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