I was totally opposed to ScAlito from the moment he was nominated, but posted very little about it on the blogs. There is nothing wrong with that -- the fact that the blogs lit the fire under the filibuster is an indictment of the Democratic Leadership, not a measure of bloggy impotence.
The sad truth is, the Democrats went into the hearings without a game plan or a coherent message. The result was predictable -- a few salient points, buried in piles of bloviating B.S.
The progressive blogosphere should not have to drag the Democratic Party, kicking and screaming, into the 21st Century. Unfortunately, that is what we are faced with. All things considered, the blog leadership on the filibuster was a good thing; we flexed our muscles, and just maybe awakened a sleeping giant.
What happened to the Conservative movement after the Goldwater loss? They took over the GOP. If we can dump Lieberman, it will drop a dime on the leadership that we are a force that must be reckoned with, and not just an ATM to be exploited and ignored.
Somehow, I think many of us thought that things were going on behind the scenes that would marshal an effective filibuster effort. I really thought there would be more support and much more strategizing by Dems to get the job done.
What was there to say in the earlier blogging on this? There seemed to be widespread agreement that a filibuster was necessary and urgently needed.
I didn't comment on blogs during that period but I certainly faxed, emailed and called my Senators and many others urging a no vote AND a filibuster.
I was also busy on local political activities, including Party stuff. I think many people are, which definitely cuts into blogging time!
