MyDD :: Congress Embracing Blogs?

Congress Embracing Blogs?

by Matt Stoller, Wed Apr 12, 2006 at 07:39:30 PM EST

Both Democrats and Republicans have been reaching out to prominent bloggers in recent years. The House Republican Conference has sponsored two "bloggers' row" gatherings in the past six months, where bloggers meet and interview lawmakers. Republicans hosted a conference call with bloggers last week.

Democrats brought in bloggers John Aravosis (AmericaBlog), Matt Stoller (MyDD) and Duncan Black (Atrios) and two experts from the progressive Center for American Progress two weeks ago to advise press secretaries on how to court blogs. The Democratic caucus devoted its entire March 29 meeting to technology issues.

The stakes with blogs are a bit higher for Democrats than they are for Republicans. The liberal blogosphere is better developed than its conservative counterpart. Liberal blogs often provide volunteers or campaign contributions to campaigns. And liberal blogs offer an outlet for Democrats when the traditional media have until recently paid them little heed.

For the party out of power, the blogs are akin to conservatives' dominance of talk radio and direct mail in the late '70s, Cornfield said.

I think that's fair. Like Aravosis, I'm irritated that Josephine Hearn played the 'liberal blogs are too liberal for Nancy Pelosi', since ideology has never been a problem or a litmus test for us. (Harry Reid anyone?)

Still, it's good to see more recognition of the progressive blogosphere. Also, I'm in the tank for Nancy Pelosi, just so you know. Together MyDD can do better!

Tags: Nancy Pelosi, Congress, blogosphere (all tags)

Permalink :: 15 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Congress Embracing Blogs? (none / 0)

Do you think Pelosi's worried that someone else will be chosen as Speaker if the Democrats take back the House because she's perceived as being too liberal?

by bobdoleisevil on Wed Apr 12, 2006 at 07:43:59 PM EST

Re: Congress Embracing Blogs? (none / 0)

This leadership issue is interesting to me. Could someone explain to me how this works? Is it written in stone that if we get a majority Pelosi is still going to be made Speaker? Is there any certanty that any senior member of any committee is going to get to chair it? I'm not convinced.

Witty comment goes here...

by michael in chicago on Wed Apr 12, 2006 at 11:10:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

no certainty at all... (none / 0)

Ask "Majority Leader" Roy Blunt in the GOP for instance, after all you have teh votes.

From what I understand a leadership grab should be expected if we don't gain a significant amount of seats.

And considering Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of the "Moderate" Democrats caucus, was originally vying for top spot. I fully expect there to be a leadership fight by the blue dogs even when we gain seats.

Some things would just be no brainers (John Conyers, Judiciary...), but nothing is set in stone.

Having said that, olther then Hoyer's crowd, I don't see a lot of rebellion in the midst of the caucus from my outsider's view.

And also, if Pelosi is made Speaker that means Steny becomes majority leader, which ain't bad at all (for him, i'd prefer somebody else of course)

-C.

by neutron on Wed Apr 12, 2006 at 11:40:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: no certainty at all... (none / 0)

If you back and look at history when a party goes from minority to majority there are power shifts and realignments. It is to be expected.

A good minority leader is not often a good majority leader.

I predict the Dems will be tired of Pelosi and make a change. If we win it will be partly due to all those fighting Dems and they will want some representation at the top.

And plus she is not good for Hillary--too many powerful woman in one spot has the potential to scare voters away from HRC--or rather to be used by opponents as a tool against HRC.

by aiko on Thu Apr 13, 2006 at 08:33:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Ideology has never been a litmus test? (3.00 / 1)

Just a few posts down, on the front page, a very thorough purging of the Democratic party is called for.

Everybody on the blogosphere always pulls this self-righteous "ideology doesn't matter to us" garbage, while calling for the ouster of moderate Democrats in basically every other comment. Melissa Bean, anyone? No matter how well the Dem matches the district (or state), every non-bleeding-heart is called to the mat and destroyed here and on other blogs. Sure, you talk nice about Reid and Pelosi when they're criticising Bush, saying "see? He's pro-life and we're still supporting him!" Until it's time to vote, of course. When the liberal line is not toed on any particular vote, all hell breaks loose. Just look at the whining and the moaning about the futile censure resolution.

It took all of what, about 2 months, for Obama to start getting reamed? He's an "unprincipled, finger-to-the-wind DLC hack" every time some Joe Shmoe or another with a laptop and IE disagrees with him.

by OfficeOfLife on Wed Apr 12, 2006 at 08:26:22 PM EST

Not necessarily (none / 0)

You don't see people calling for challenges to Harry Reid or Herseth, and they aren't all that liberal.

With Obama it has been a series of actions lately locally that have ticked off people. I agree with you that the reaction is a bit extreme, but you are hearing frustration and some much needed adjustment of reality and perception IMO.

Regarding Bean, this is a different story. Her district is not a as conservative as her voting record. This is the crux of the issue. She is voting more like a Rep from Nebraska than a district that in reality is not as red as conventional wisdom makes it out to be. She's also voted to support key GOP legislation that also undercuts some of her key support groups like local labor. There a clear cut reason for what is happening to Bean. Not saying it's productive or correct or going to achieve bigger picture goals. But it is completely understandable.

Regarding other issues like Censure, that's a difference of opinion on what is "futile" and what is being a good opposition party. Taking actions that are certain to fail, yet they keep the issues in the public eye and define the opposition, is not necessarily futile. Your opinion - futile. Other opinions - valuable.

Witty comment goes here...

by michael in chicago on Wed Apr 12, 2006 at 11:08:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Congress Embracing Blogs? (none / 0)

For what it's worth about three months ago I had a barroom discussion with 2 Democratic Senate press secretaries and they were dismissive about blogs, somewhat uninformed and just seemed to wish that the blogosphere would wither away. All anyone could talk about was where bloggers get the time. There was a great deal of fear about hordes of "nutcases" on blogs and fears that they would dominate the discussion with strange conspiracy theories about 9/11 and the JFK assassination.

This conversation was not any big deal and they were letting off a little steam. They had some ligitimate complaints. But I really was surprised that thier internet strategy seemed to revolve aroung using the net to communicate with the mainstream media rather than using it to get thier bosses message directly to his/her base and the general public.

by howardpark on Wed Apr 12, 2006 at 08:30:46 PM EST

Re: Congress Embracing Blogs? (none / 0)

Blogs have limited use in reaching the general public, as only a tiny fraction of Americans read political blogs. The party's preference to use the blogosphere to rile up activists and recruit volunteers and donations makes sense. For all the back-patting blogs like to do, proclaiming themselves the be-all and end-all of the Democratic base, every reader of Daily Kos would comfortably fit into one Congressional district. We are a small, self-selective group.

by OfficeOfLife on Wed Apr 12, 2006 at 09:18:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Congress Embracing Blogs? (none / 0)

I agree about blogs. The Internet, however, is a LOT more than blogs and includes a whole world of audio and video. The Internet can reach the general public, at least in the near future.

by howardpark on Thu Apr 13, 2006 at 09:00:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Congress Embracing Blogs? (none / 0)

I remember in 2003 my 'inside the beltway' friends just wanted Dean to wither away too. That is exactly how I would characterize their attitudes toward Dean and his supporters.

But I tell you my friend, this thing here has staying power and growing strength like no grass roots, non-issue based, political movement I have ever seen in 30 years of observing the left.

Nobody is going to wither away and in a few elections(I don't know how many it is going to take) these press staff will be replaced by bloggers.

by aiko on Thu Apr 13, 2006 at 08:40:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

one word can make all the difference... (none / 0)

Together MyDD can do it better!

by Jerome Armstrong on Wed Apr 12, 2006 at 09:25:48 PM EST

Re: Congress Embracing Blogs? (none / 0)

Dumb question here: What does "in the tank" mean?

by redstar66 on Wed Apr 12, 2006 at 09:27:45 PM EST

Re: Congress Embracing Blogs? (none / 0)

Second the question...

Witty comment goes here...

by michael in chicago on Wed Apr 12, 2006 at 11:50:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]