Successful Lefty Blog Activism, September

by Chris Bowers, Thu Sep 30, 2004 at 08:56:11 AM EDT

So conservative political blogs and netroots had a "success," with the CBS memos this month? Well, we on the left haven't done too badly either. In fact, because lefty political blogs and netroots have a tendency to focus on more than one issue at a time, we have had many more successes. Here is a partial list:

Raising, literally, hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of dollars for Democratic candidates and causes, led by Dailykos, Eschaton, online 527's and campaign websites.
Continuing investigation into the Niger forged documents affair, led by Josh Marshall, and with a tremendous assist from Salon in distribution.
Bringing attention to the troubles of Lynne Gobbel, the woman who was fired for having a Kerry bumper sticker on her car. After a Dailykos diarist picked up the story, and the story shot to the top of the recommended diaries, her boss was forced to retreat and the Kerry campaign gave her a job.
Outing openly homophobic Republicans, including two members of Congress and a high ranking GOP staffer. Blog Active led this charge, and was assisted by The Raw Sotry, formerly the Blue Lemur.
Helping to force Kenneth Blackwell into a retreat over paper stock requirements for new voter registration in Ohio. This was led by everyone really, but started by Dailykos diarist Thistime.
Forcing Gallup into a public defense of its methodology, led by Donkey Rising, The Left Coaster, MyDD and MoveOn. (link)
A successful call for MSNBC to dump Frank Luntz, led by Media Matters and Tapped. (link)

There are probably many more victories that I either do not know about or have simply forgotten, but lefty political blogs have had a good month. Even apart from these well-publicized successes, who knows how many letters we have written and volunteers we have organized. Still, with the third quarter fundraising deadline looming and especially with the first debate, tonight we face our biggest challenges of all. We can, or rather must, be a part of Kerry's rapid response team and assist in the all-important post-debate spin. Here is a list of people and newspapers to email after the debate. Here are suggestions for what to write in those emails. Here is a way to coordinate with the Kerry campaign.

Take action. We are seeing a victory almost every day now, and we are clearly making a significant difference in this campaign. Also, we passed out goal of raising $3,000 for Ginny Schrader, who is perhaps the greatest blogosphere success of this election cycle. I honestly didn't think we could do it before the end of the quarter. You guys are unbelievable. I can't possibly ask you for anymore after already beating both goals. I can just let you know that you can still donate before the end of the third quarter, which is tonight at midnight. Thank you and congratulations!

Tags: Blogosphere (all tags)

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Re: Successful Online Blog Activism, September

SO WHATS THE SCANDAL!!!!!!

We are dying to know...

by Michael 2004-09-30 09:05AM | 0 recs

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Seems to involve one of these guys...

Representative Cass Ballenger (NC)
Representative Bob Barr (GA)
Representative Judy Biggert (IL)
Representative Mike Bilirakis (FL)
Representative Mary Bono (CA)
Representative Max Burns (GA)
Representative Shelley Moore Capito (WV)
Representative Christopher Cox (CA)
Representative Tom Davis (VA)
Representative Tom DeLay (TX)
Representative Mark Foley (FL)
Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ)
Representative Elton Gallegly (CA)
Representative Gil Gutknecht (MN)
Representative J.D. Hayworth (AZ)
Representative Amo Houghton (NY)
Representative Mark Kirk (IL)
Representative Frank Lucas (OK)
Representative Anne Northup (KY)
Representative George Nethercutt (WA)
Representative Bob Schaffer (CO)
Representative John Shimkus (IL)
Representative Rob Simmons (CT)
Representative Mike Simpson (ID)
Representative Joe Skeen (NM)
Representative Todd Tiahrt (KS)
Representative Pat Toomey (PA)
Representative J.C. Watts (OK)
Representative Ed Whitfield (KY)
Representative Heather Wilson (NM)
Representative Gresham Barrett (SC)
Representative Tom Cole (OK)
Representative Tom Feeney (FL)
Representative Katherine Harris (FL)
Representative Candice Miller (MI)
Vernon Robinson for Congress (NC)
Paul DeWeese for Congress (MI)
Friends of Greg Parke(VT)
Bill Federer for Congress (MO)
Joe Rothbauer for Congress (WI)
Dave Rogers for Congress (RI)
Stan Thompson for Congress (IA)
Mark Baker for Congress (IL)
Joan Johnson for Congress (NY)
Buck Limehouse for Congress (SC)
Jon Porter for Congress (NV)
Phil Sudan for Congress (TX)
Tom Liddy for Congress (AZ)
Teresa Loar for Congress (MO)
Noble Willingham for Congress (TX)
Chuck Yob for Congress (MI)

Yes, I saw that post...

by Geotpf 2004-09-30 09:30AM | 0 recs

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Re: Seems to involve one of these guys...

So did I. I was doing some google searches but didn't see much. I am curious.

by Michael 2004-09-30 09:40AM | 0 recs

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Re: Seems to involve one of these guys...

Geez, that narrows it right down, doesn't it. What are we scandal-mongers supposed to do with this list, play "six degrees of Kevin Bacon" or something?

by Conshieguy 2004-09-30 11:28AM | 0 recs

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He said there was a hint

Do you think he purposefully misspelled Scandal scnandal on purpose?

(I just love to cause trouble)

by AngryChicken 2004-09-30 09:42AM | 0 recs

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Re: He said there was a hint

I was wondering that but a google only turns up a misspelled word. I think it was a typo, but maybe I am wrong.

by Michael 2004-09-30 09:47AM | 0 recs

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Re: He said there was a hint

The hint was the category of the post was House 2004, and he mentioned it had something to do with http://campaignsolutions.com/ -that was a list of thier House clients that I posted.

Tom Delay is an obvious choice amoungst that list.

by Geotpf 2004-09-30 12:30PM | 0 recs

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Re: He said there was a hint

Please, God, let it be so. Unless it's something even skankier.

by Conshieguy 2004-09-30 12:50PM | 0 recs

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Re: Successful Lefty Blog Activism, September

DING DING DING - Representative Tom DeLay (TX)

This would make the most sense considering what has been out in the news of late. Maybe they tied Delay to the improper Fundraising. OOH, Delay in prison is almost as appealing as Bush in Prison and a Bush lost.

Judy Biggert is my rep. I am not voting for her, but she will win big. She has been rep for quite a while...

by Michael 2004-09-30 09:45AM | 0 recs

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A long way to go - short time to get there...

Tons of accomplishments. I wish I had time to talk about this topic all day. Don't forget Trent Lott.

The success in national and regional campaigns has been unbelievable. Although I think the biggest success is not necessarily the ATM factor (which gets all the hype), but the fact that candidates are coming here for advice, discussion, encouragement, and suggestions. Then they turn around to implement it! It's the activism, (not so) stupid.

It's the potential to run a true grass-roots campaign, using mass communication.

But, we have a long way to go. This is chess, not checkers - and the next move toward the new medium will come from the monolithic old gaurd. Large Democratic & Republican organizations will swoop in an attempt to wrestle "power" away in time for 2006.

The blogosphere will be bastardized, believe it. Are our very own net-roots strong enough to overcome the stress and strain from HUGE organizations, corporations, media outlets, big name individual journalists, celebrities moving into the finite little area we have set aside for ourselves? I sure hope so. But until now, we haven't been tested really. That will change.

I hear all the time, are bloggers journalists or activists? Cause they can't be both. I don't buy it, and I don't think most of us do as well. But, it is a question that we will be forced to answer.

Anyway, I really want to keep going - but I HAVE to get back to work.

Tim

Support Jeff Seemann

by Tim Tagaris 2004-09-30 09:59AM | 0 recs

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Just re-read my post...

I really don't think my post had a point, at all. I guess that's what happens when you have so much to say and limited time to say it in.

Like condensing Iraq into a 30 second "extended response," in tonights debate.

Tim

by Tim Tagaris 2004-09-30 12:45PM | 0 recs

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Iraq in 30 seconds

Hell, 10 seconds:

"Iraq is FUBAR. You own that, Mr. President."

by Geotpf 2004-09-30 12:59PM | 0 recs

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Dear lefty Blog people...

Quit navel-gazing and get back to work, you self-congratulatory back-slappers, you...

just kidding.

good work.

by NCDem 2004-09-30 10:04AM | 0 recs

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Papergate isn't fully over in Ohio

Ohio Sect. of State Ken Blackwell is still trying to screw the voter registration thing up. His new "clarification" does tell county election board to honor the new registation forms regardless of weight, BUT also instructs them to send a notice to those that used the "wrong" paper that they must still fill out another registration using the "right" paper.

Confused? Imagine how those folks that get that kind of notice from their county board are going to feel.

For more, see Hypothetically Speaking at http://www.loganselm.blogspot.com

by Hypothetically Speaking 2004-09-30 10:11AM | 0 recs

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How about "ballot-gate" in Colorado?

Speaking of GOP voter suppression plots, any movement on the Colorado front. There's another Sec of State we need to inundate with emails, phone calls, and rabid attack pigeons. Anyone with access to flying monkeys should send them to Colorado as well.

by Conshieguy 2004-09-30 11:32AM | 0 recs

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My personal blog-inspired contribution

After reading the DailyKos piece on AL Lorentz, a 20-year soldier threatened with charges of "things like 18USC 2388, willfully causing or attempting to cause insubordination,d isolyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty, in the military force of the US) and Article 13 (Disloyal statements, that is, a statement that is disloyal to the United States)" for writing this Why We Cannot Win column...

I emailed the basic details and links to Colonel Hackworth of Soldiers for the Truth. Hackworth responded with:
"Thank you for Al's piece. Great stuff and I agree with everything he said in spades.

Tell Al to give me a shout if he needs any fire support. We will pull out all of our cannons.

IN the interim, will run Al's piece on both of our websites. Please get a green-light from Al.

Thanks again,
Hack"

I've forwarded Hackworth's email to Al Lorentz, so it is in his hands now.

by Ottnott 2004-09-30 02:38PM | 0 recs