MyDD has, over the last year, become my de-facto progressive blog.  Your commentary is insightful, news breaking and wise.

Keep up the good work -- you're turning heads!

VA gaop: getting bigger and bigger and bigger.

I'm going about as crazy and delusional as Russert right now.

Good to hear that both you and Anne are still at it.  I definitely miss the Philly4Dean/Change days.  Can't believe it was three years ago, and already two years ago that Anne would donate LCV factsheets for me to use for the Drexel Dems.  Makes me miss Philly.

Nor was I.  But, what's clear is that without new media, Dean would have never been seen as a viable candidate.  Dean made himself who he was as a person and as a candidate, but, without Trippi and Nicco, how would he have ever gotten more than 4% of the votes?

"I think Nicco and Triuppi et al get way too much credit. It was Howard Dean himself who attracted people. They were just functionaries in his employ."

I'd disagree completely.  While yes, Howard Dean was  Howard Dean, he wouldn't have become a major contender without Trippi and Nicco.  Just take the instance that in 2000, guess who was the only gov. candidate without a website?  Dean.  How would he have achieved what he did without these two?

That being said, I was severely disappointed when I heard about this.  I've always felt that McCain gets this strange "maverick" label when, as we've seen by recent quotes, he's really just a liar like everyone else.  Nicco joining McCain's cause just helps to contribute to this false perception.

I clearly see why many online activists feel betrayed.

Chris,

I certainly agree.  What we've seen is the bastardization of blogs from the right.  I wrote a paper about it last term, if you'd like to see.  Maps out the purpose of blogs -- I throw in some Lessig, and what I argue is that blogs are transitioning from "the commons" to conglomeration.

Also, was wondering -- how's Anne's campaign going?  I was a Philly4Dean/PhillyForChange-er, and met you at that dinner with Jim Dean.  I live in DC now, so it's hard to keep in touch with all the happenings.