Jumping Jack Rachel Maddow

It was a cute scene, Rachel Maddow jumping up and down on the stage, her exuberant, comfortable self coming out amidst her progressive stalwarts and Air America cohorts at the Big Tent. "How freaking awesome it is to be here at the Democratic Convention and with all you progressives," she yelled.

She reminded the audience at the Air America Radio/Progressive Book Club super author panel: "The right wing still has this massive infrastructure that funds think tanks and pays writers and buys up tons of books, too often dominating the public dialogue. What we have is great authors, and a small, but kick-ass progressive media, but we've got to keep working until we have an omni media." Maddow offered a semi-insider publishing coup by announcing that Mark Green, President of Air America Radio and John Podesta, head honcho at the Center for American Progress, are publishing a book called the "Progressive Blueprint," by Basic Books in preparation for the hoped for incoming Obama administration. This is important stuff to be thinking ahead about, but it makes The Masher a little nervous, since the CAP hasn't always been the font of progressive wisdom, especially on foreign policy. But let's hope for the best.

Then Maddow bolted off the stage headed for her night job, providing prime-time coverage for MSNBC on the opening night of the convention. These days, her night job takes precedent, but she is totally committed to her slot on Air America Radio, giving the network their first truly home-grown super star.