The Progress Express, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce's monthly e-newsletter, posed ten questions to two Brooklynites who attended the recent national party conventions. Lisa Bing, founder of Bing Consulting Group and Brooklyn Chamber board member, attended the Democratic National Convention in Denver Aug. 25 - 28. Craig Eaton, chairman of the Kings County GOP, attended the Republican National Convention, held in Minneapolis Sept. 1 - 4. See below for their full interviews.

Lisa Bing, DNC convention attendee

PE: Can you sum up what the scene was like?
LB: There was tremendous excitement and tons of people. Denver is a pretty small city so it was very obvious there were folks in town.

PE: Was Brooklyn well represented?
LB: I would say the New York delegation was – I think there were over 200 –so New York’s presence was clearly felt.

PE: What are some of the issues important to the Brooklyn delegation?
LB: My sense was that it was more about New York as a whole - though I certainly did see many of our Brooklyn elected officials. A major issue was the economy and all that falls from that, in terms of housing and healthcare.

PE: What are some of the concerns of the business community there?
LB: The economy and taxes for sure. It does raise the question of what impact they will have on the business community and where the small business community, in particular, will sit in that conversation.

PE: Have you been able to talk to business people from other cities and find out their perspectives?
LB: Not really.

PE: What speakers have been the highlights of the convention?
LB: The highlights for me, aside from just being there for Barack Obama’s speech, were Michelle Obama and Ted Kennedy. I also enjoyed Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer.

PE: Any other observations you can share?
LB: An assumption I can make is that he [Barack Obama] seems to be very focused on the middle class and the average American, and in my mind the small business tends to fit into that category.

PE: Do you think Barack Obama and Joe Biden make a good team?
LB: I absolutely do. It’s a great balance.

PE: If Barack Obama is elected president in November, what do you think it will mean for the small business community?
LB: I think given his emphasis on the average American as opposed to the very wealthy, coupled with the fact that he is accessible, I think there is a good opportunity for small business to make their case.

PE: Given how fragmented the local party was between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama is there a renewed sense of unity?
LB: From what I can tell, yes. I was in the presence of the New York delegation as a body and the messages were clear that that this was no longer about Obama versus Clinton supporters. In every New York gathering that I was a part of, the message was very clear that we are one.

Lisa Bing is founder and CEO of Bing Consulting Group and a member of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

 
Craig Eaton, RNC convention attendee

PE: Can you tell us what the scene was like?
CE: The Convention was filled with energy, optimism and excitement. The Floor was filled with notable Republicans from around the Country and local and national press throughout the Floor.

PE: Was Brooklyn well represented?
CE: Brooklyn was well represented at the RNC. We had delegates and alternate delegates from all of our congressional districts and many Brooklyn residents who attended as guests.
As to the guests, I am happy to report that we were able to obtain guest passes for them to enter the convention center for all four days. The guests included former Kings County GOP Chair Hy Singer,  Kings County GOP Executive Committee Chairman Bob Howe and his wife, and Kings County GOP Treasurer Thomas McCarthy.

PE: What are some of the issues important to the Brooklyn delegation?
CE: The issues which are important to the Brooklyn delegation are the same issues which are important to all residents of the City of New York, including safety, fear of terrorism, health care, health insurance, education, senior issues and less taxes.

PE: What are some of the concerns of the business community there?
CE: In addition to the above issues, the business community is also concerned with lowering taxes, lowering the cost of fuel and all commodities which are used by our business people in their respective businesses.

PE: Have you been able to talk to business people from other cities and find out their perspectives?
CE: No, but I assume they are the same as New York.

PE: What speakers have been the highlights of the convention?
CE: Gov. Sarah Palin was the greatest. She was articulate, energetic, hit all of the right points, was right on target and captivated the crowd. She was dynamic and makes a great Vice Presidential candidate.

PE: Any other observations you can share?
CE: The RNC Committee assembled a dynamic group or speakers who motivated the crowd. They included Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Gov. Huckabee, Gov. Romney and Gov. and former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. In sum, it was a great experience, a great place to be and the energy and enthusiasm was overwhelming. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and know that the others attending from Brooklyn did as well.

PE: Do John McCain and Sarah Palin make a good team?
CE: Together they make a great ticket and it is now complete. Judging by the crowd at the RNC, they were ecstatic at her selection.

PE: If John McCain is elected president in November, what do you think it will mean for the small business community?
CE: I think that John McCain is cognizant of the needs of small business community and in fact, scheduled a Small Business Forum in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn several months ago, which I attended. The needs of the small business community are definitely on his radar screen.

PE: Would John McCain getting elected in November help the GOP make inroads in Brooklyn?
CE: The election of John McCain will greatly assist the Republican Party in the County of Kings in its current effort to grow, re-build and prosper. The Kings County GOP has a great relationship with the McCain campaign and Ed Cox, the New York State Campaign Chairman, and we expect to have a great working relationship with the Senator once he is elected President of the United States.

Craig Eaton is an attorney and chairman of the Kings County GOP.