This isn’t a summary of what happened - but rather a summary of some of what I took home with me.
Markos Moulitsas (aka Kos of DailyKos) came across both as quite modest and quite knowledgeable at yesterday’s Naperville Democrats fundraiser. This modesty and knowledge fit his presentation and what he had to say in response to questions that followed. A few bullet points:
Blogging, Hi-Tech Communication And Democratic Campaigns
- Blogs and other technological communication tools (my term) like wikis, etc. are only a small piece of what Democrats need to be successful - but it’s an important piece for getting your message out.
- One key to successful communication for local campaigns is to employ local bloggers - there simply aren’t enough ‘trained’ bloggers/hi-tech communications people out there for all Democratic campaigns that are trying to combat the conservative traditional media.
- There is no standard right now for how to run a modern communications campaign - it’s still being developed. Local bloggers (and more established ones) continue to innovate - and the innovations that work are worth copying.
About Specific Democratic Candidates/Races
- The Illinois 6th race currently does not have a “net-roots” candidate (i.e. one really employing the technology and infusing the campaign with it) - although one could emerge.
- Thus far among potential presidential candidates Mark Warner and Russ Feingold seem to have the biggest “net-roots” operations - and John Kerry and Hillary Clinton are just starting to realize maybe they shouldn’t totally ignore the phenomenon.
What This Means For WurfWhile.com
One of the main things I took out of Kos’ discussion is that I need to do more innovation and change here at WurfWhile.com. I also need to continually recognize that, as Markos said about his own site, this isn’t about me - it’s about you. As I approach the second full year of WurfWhile.com, there are a number of things I’ve had on the backburner that I need to be put up - and I need to think more about the goals of this site and better ways to achieve them - and involve you. In the upcoming months you’ll start to see more here - and I hope you’ll help me decide what works.
Comments 4
As a York Dem and occasional blogger, I was drawn to the Naperville meeting because Kos was speaking. He did not disappoint.
One of my main take-aways was his statement that candidates have not come up with a way to utilize the netroots to get their message out. This is a growth area that we need to look at in the upcoming cycles. If you look at the Paul Hackett campaign for the Ohio House race last year, the netroots, and DailyKos in particular, did make a difference. How can we use that experience, build on it and come up with a plan going forward?
Posted 24 Jan 2006 at 8:06 am ¶“One key to successful communication for local campaigns is to employ local bloggers - there simply aren’t enough ‘trained’ bloggers/hi-tech communications people out there for all Democratic campaigns that are trying to combat the conservative traditional media.”
Hiram,
I’m not quite sure what you mean… A campaign doesn’t need a trained blogger or any hi-tech ability to get a blog going. If a dope like me can set up a free Blogger account, I imagine anyone capable of getting their name on the ballot could do so as well.
It seems to me that the impediment is not one of tech knowhow but a matter of content. If a candidate had worthwhile content, that will carry the day even on the most barebones blog. And if their content is nothing more than a series of press releases, all the hi-tech bells and whistles will not carry the day.
So I’m not sure what you mean.
And if Kos doesn’t think that the IL-6 race has a ‘”net-roots” candidate’, I question whether such a candidate exists — anywhere. Did he give an example of a “real” net-roots candidate? I am curious as to what one looks like.
Thanks for another great post.
Posted 24 Jan 2006 at 10:43 am ¶I hope that Russ will run (at least a VP). He could really stir up the corrupt culture in Washington. He is one of the few that show integrity.
In Russ I Trust!
Posted 26 Jan 2006 at 7:45 am ¶Hi CyberDem and So-Called “Austin Mayor” - I have responded to you here.
Hi YurmaBoyBlue - It is rare that the times are right for a person like Russ Feingold to ascend to the presidency. To get anywhere close to being president you need to strike a lot of deals with a lot of people - and there’s a price to pay. What makes me optimistic about Russ’ chances is that the current political environment is so corrupt with scandals that are costing careers (and prison time) that perhaps we are at a point where someone with integrity and principles like Russ can make it through. Meanwhile we can try to help as best as we can in Illinois and elsewhere in the United States. Russ is worth giving it our best shot!
Posted 26 Jan 2006 at 3:25 pm ¶Post a Comment